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Amanda Hernández | (TNS) Stateline.org CHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” Impact on retailers, communities In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest report attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It retracted a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Increased penalties Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom signed an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Retail theft data Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is notoriously difficult , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. Stateline staff writer Robbie Sequeira contributed to this report. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The upcoming eleventh season of is set to premiere on January 19, with hosts and welcoming a brand new group of stars to the jungle. Ahead of the launch, has started dropping clues for which celebrities will be donning an Akubra, facing their fears and flying to South Africa. From TV personalities and sporting heroes to controversial reality stars and comedians, here’s everyone who may be appearing on 2025. The first celebrity Channel 10 teased is an Olympic star who is “no stranger to making headlines”. “They’re a freestyle lover, but how much will they love being free with creepy crawlies when they land in the jungle?” they said. Viewers immediately took to social media to predict that the celebrity is none other than , who broke the internet and became a household name thanks to her performance at the 2024 Olympics. “I’m boycotting the show if it’s Raygun,” one person commented, while another added, “I will not watch if Raygun goes into the jungle”. “If Raygun is there, just vote her in for EVERY SINGLE tucker trial,” a third remarked. A source close to production told earlier this month that Raygun had changed her mind after previously anytime soon and was “very close to signing on”. “Raygun is one name at the top of the list who bosses have been working on since she went viral,” they shared. “Initially Raygun’s team declined, but now she’s realising her window to make big money is quickly closing - and it’s unlikely she’ll ever get a six-figure sum to do a show ever again.” A Channel 10 insider told that controversial groom has reportedly been brought up “several times” within the network's discussions, although it’s unclear if he’s received an actual offer to appear. “Channel 10 wants the show to go back to being talked about in every office across Australia every morning, with huge personalities clashing in every episode,” our source detailed. “Harrison may not be the biggest name, but his views on women and feminism will infuriate people across the country and generate discussion - and they need a villain.” Former judge is another star tipped to join the new season. Our insider told us that Channel 10 likely won’t renew for a third season next year due to low ratings, however, they “don’t want to lose their relationship” with the food critic and are hoping to cast her on another show. “What has happened in the past with Channel 10’s ‘network talent’ after their flagship show gets cancelled is that they get offered a significant pay cheque to enter the jungle,” our source shared. “We saw that with Tristan McManus last year after was axed. He was reluctant but eventually agreed as the network promised him more work if he signed up for the reality show.”
Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Chargers by 1 1/2 Series record: Falcons lead 8-4. Against the spread: Chargers 7-3-1, Falcons 5-6. Last meeting: Chargers beat Falcons 20-17 on Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. Last week: Ravens beat Chargers, 30-23; Falcons had bye week following 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17. Chargers offense: overall (21), rush (13), pass (20), scoring (18). Chargers defense: overall (13), rush (10), pass (10), scoring (13). Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (14), pass (5), scoring (16). Falcons defense: overall (25), rush (19), pass (26), scoring (26). Turnover differential: Chargers plus-8, Falcons minus-3. RB Gus Edwards could move up as the lead back for Los Angeles as J.K Dobbins (knee) is expected to miss the game . Edwards was activated from injured reserve earlier this month following an ankle injury and had nine carries for 11 yards with a touchdown in Monday night's 30-23 loss to Baltimore. WR Drake London has 61 catches, leaving him four away from becoming the first player in team history to have at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. London has 710 receiving yards, leaving him 140 away from becoming the first player in team history with at least 850 in each of his first three seasons. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Chargers run defense. Robinson was shut down by Denver, gaining only 35 yards on 12 carries, and the Atlanta offense couldn't recover. The Chargers rank 10th in the league against the run, so it will be a challenge for the Falcons to find a way to establish a ground game with Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. A solid running attack would create an opportunity for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to establish the play-action passes for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Dobbins appeared to injure his right knee in the first half of the loss to the Ravens, though coach Jim Harbaugh did not provide details. ... The Falcons needed the bye to give a long list of injured players an opportunity to heal. WR WR KhaDarel Hodge (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. WR Darnell Mooney (Achilles), CB Kevin King (concussion), DL Zach Harrison (knee, Achilles) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) were hurt in the 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17 and were limited on Wednesday. CB Mike Hughes (neck), nickel back Dee Alford (hamstring), ILB Troy Andersen (knee), TE Charlie Woerner (concussion) and ILB JD Bertrand (concussion) also were limited on Wednesday after not playing against Denver. C Drew Dalman (ankle) could return. The Chargers have won the past three games in the series following six consecutive wins by the Falcons from 1991-2012. Los Angeles took a 33-30 overtime win in Atlanta in 2016 before the Chargers added 20-17 wins at home in 2020 and in Atlanta in 2022. The Falcons won the first meeting between the teams, 41-0 in San Diego in 1973. Each team has built its record on success against the soft NFC South. Atlanta is 4-1 against division rivals. Los Angeles is 2-0 against the NFC South this season. The Chargers have a four-game winning streak against the division. ... Atlanta is 0-2 against AFC West teams, following a 22-17 loss to Kansas City and the lopsided loss at Denver. They will complete their tour of the AFC West with a game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 16. ... The Falcons are the league's only first-place team with a negative points differential. Atlanta has been outscored 274-244. The loss of Dobbins, who has rushed for eight touchdowns, could put more pressure on QB Justin Hebert and the passing game. Herbert's favorite option has been WR Ladd McConkey, who has four TD receptions among his 49 catches for 698 yards. McConkey, the former University of Georgia standout who was drafted in the second round, could enjoy a productive return to the state against a Falcons defense that ranks only 26th against the pass. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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Protected personal information of more than 1 million people — including about 4,700 Social Security numbers — was accessed from Illinois Department of Human Services files in April, the agency confirmed last week. State agencies are required under the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act to notify the news media of certain reportable breaches of security. In a statement, the Illinois Department of Human Services said it experienced a privacy breach on April 25 when a phishing campaign was used to access a number of employee accounts and the files associated with the accounts. Phishing involves sending seemingly legitimate requests for personal or sensitive information such as passwords or account numbers. IDHS said the files that were accessed included Social Security numbers for 4,704 people. In addition, public assistance account information was accessed for more than 1.1 million people. While that information did not include Social Security numbers, it did have names, public assistance account numbers and some combination of addresses, birthdate, Illinois State Board of Education Student Information System identification numbers and cellphone numbers. "Upon learning of the phishing incident, IDHS worked in partnership with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology to investigate the extent of the breach and to determine which individuals were included," according to the statement. "This was an in-depth forensic analysis, followed by a manual review of all compromised files to determine the nature of the breach. IDHS continues to train its employees on how to avoid and report phishing attempts." Written notices were sent to those whose Social Security numbers were involved and whose current address was on file. Those notices provide details about available actions, including credit monitoring. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Why Biotechnology Company Carmell Shares Are Seeing Blue Skies Tuesday?Bitcoin has been dealing with a lot of uncertainty during the second and third quarters of 2024, but the general market sentiment remained positive. The most recent shows that investors weren’t wrong to remain optimistic, as BTC just rallied considerably, reaching $99K. During times like this, it is more difficult to determine the direction the marketplace will take, an already challenging task to perform in a market known for its volatility and fluctuations. As a result, investors are likely to have an even harder time coming up with comprehensive strategies that can ensure profitability. As always, your best bet is to do your research so that you can learn more about the latest developments in the marketplace, as well as have a look at historical data patterns. You mustn’t let yourself be swayed by the fear of missing out since it will most definitely do you much more harm than good and cause you to lose large amounts of capital for nothing. Bitcoin was originally designed to have the same properties and use cases as fiat currencies, only in digital format. However, that plan didn’t become a reality, and right now, Bitcoin is considered more of a store of value than anything else. This is precisely why so many investors are bringing Bitcoin to their portfolios since the king of crypto helps with both asset diversification and value retention. However, there has been a lot of discourse within the community regarding the ability to spend cryptocurrencies the same way as other coins. A service that allows this to happen could be one of the first steps Bitcoin takes into the mainstream, attracting a growing number of potential investors that will bring more engagement on the blockchain. Recently, Mastercard has joined forces with a global payments ecosystem known for building and harmonizing solutions that can host both crypto and traditional currencies. Analysts have long debated the possibility of connecting these two financial worlds, and while naysayers definitely do exist, the number of those who believe both ecosystems would have a lot to gain from the interaction is much larger. Mastercard decided to expand support for non-custodial crypto wallets and enable a new euro-denominated debit card that will allow users to spend Bitcoin at more than 100 million merchants that are part of the Mastercard network. Self-custody is a fundamental concept of the crypto environment. It refers to storing assets in a manner that doesn’t depend on the use of a centralized platform or institution, such as a bank. This is one of the key features that attracted investors to this ecosystem in the first place since many are drawn by the anonymity the blockchain is able to offer, as well as the inherent security associated with it. Unlike custodial wallets, the self-custodial variety needs the user to take full responsibility for their funds. You become the only owner of the private key that lets you access the wallet and your funds. As a result, losing or forgetting this password means that you won’t be able to access your capital. Sharing the code with anyone else can also be a security risk since many crypto investors fall prey to scams in which malicious individuals manage to earn their trust and extract this information from them. Afterward, their accounts would be left entirely drained. So, why does an established credit card company want to work with custodial wallets? The general consensus is that traditional and digital finance have nothing to do with one another and that blending them together cannot end well. However, some analysts consider the movement to be perfectly natural and the logical progression Bitcoin was bound to make toward becoming a payment option. The fact that cryptocurrencies are slowly entering the mainstream is also essential to remember. While they are still relatively new assets, they have been considered a niche class for the majority of time. The technology surrounding cryptocurrencies can indeed be quite intimidating for those who are not familiar with it. According to a social media post made by the company, the project will enable users to spend their coins while also addressing the complexities that come with buying and selling cyber coins through the means of a centralized exchange. Exchange-traded funds have been widely discussed ever since before their launch. The reason for the hype surrounding them is their potential to drive significant price action. In Bitcoin’s case, the predictions came true, and the coin managed to beat its previous all-time high. The reason for the price rally is the potential ETFs have to bring more investors to the ecosystem, something that will drive engagement levels and naturally result in a marketplace that is more active. But compared to their United States counterparts, the Hong Kong bitcoin ETFs had a much slower start. During the last week of August, the three spot exchange-traded funds based on Bitcoin in Hong Kong had net inflows of around 247 BTC, meaning that the total holdings are currently around $4,450 BTC. That brings the total AUM for the ETFs and HK $2.1 billion, or $269 million. The gains are excellent news for the ecosystem, given that the Hong Kong assets underperformed significantly compared to their counterparts in the United States. During the launch on April 30th, they attracted $262 million in inflows during the first seven days. However, a majority of that number was subscribed before the listings went live. As such, the actual asset inflows were a much smaller $14 million. This is a sizable contrast when compared to the billions that went into the US Bitcoin ETFs when they were launched in January. Hong Kong has been looking forward to establishing itself as a global hub for crypto investments and trading, and these events have been a setback, showing that the market still has some catching up to do. When you’re an investor, you need to find the best ways to establish your strategy. Do your research and keep your goals in mind, as these are the main factors that should influence your decisions.
Amanda Hernández | (TNS) Stateline.org CHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. Related Articles National News | Bill Clinton is out of the hospital after being treated for the flu National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids National News | ‘Depravity’: Man set woman on fire in New York subway and watched her burn to death, police say National News | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights National News | Why did Bob Casey lose his Senate seat? Blame Elon Musk, Fetterman says The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” Impact on retailers, communities In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest report attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It retracted a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Increased penalties Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom signed an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Retail theft data Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is notoriously difficult , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. Stateline staff writer Robbie Sequeira contributed to this report. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CM Maryam invites Chinese tech companies to invest in Punjab Maryam terms Punjab a "land of opportunity" for Chinese companies LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, on the 6th day of her 8-day long visit to China, invited Chinese technology companies to invest in Punjab as she chaired a roundtable investment conference in Guangzhou. Chinese technology companies responded enthusiastically to her invitation and expressed keen interest for investments in Punjab as she vowed to facilitate them through a one-window operation. The conference was attended by officials of more than 60 prominent companies from China and Hong Kong. The chief minister also announced the establishment of a working group, the appointment of a focal person and the establishment of a help desk during the conference. Representatives of leading Chinese companies gave detailed presentations on their institutions to Maryam as she reviewed various suggestions and recommendations for the promotion of Pak-China free trade. Maryam termed Punjab a "land of opportunity" for the Chinese companies and thanked them for participating in the investment conference as she gave them a detailed briefing on the economic, geographical and business importance of the province. Representatives of the Chinese companies appreciated the vision of the chief minister, and lauded her for launching the no-plastic campaign in Punjab. Maryam added that, "Focus is being given to windmills, solar energy and renewable energy sources to obtain cheap electricity". "Reforms are being introduced in the industry to improve the ecosystem" she said as solar energy demand is increasing continuously in Punjab and to overcome these needs, a mega solarisation project has been launched for the province. Maryam said the collaboration of Chinese companies in the solarisation project is welcomed. "Response of the Chinese investors to promote Pak-China relations is encouraging," she said. PM Shehbaz calls for further reduction in electricity tariff After profit-taking, PSX limps to recovery closing below 115,000-mark Capacity payment worth Rs1,410bn paid to IPPs in two years, Senate told Chinese delegation shows interest in establishing medical city in Pakistan
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A regional council has sacked its chief executive officer in a stunning move, dumping the local government leader after a decade of service. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue Yass Valley Council called an extraordinary meeting earlier this week where councillors voted to sack Chris Berry with immediate effect. The council's director of planning and environment Julie Costa will be the acting CEO until a full-time replacement is found. Yass mayor Jasmin Jones said it would be "business as usual" for ratepayers and residents, but did not give a reason for promptly sacking the former chief. "For our customers, residents and ratepayers, it will be business as usual, and I can assure our community that there will be no interruptions to service delivery during this transition period," Cr Jones in a statement. "Our councillors, management and staff remain firmly focused on improving council's financial performance and achieving positive outcomes for our customers and community." An aerial view of Yass. Picture Yass Valley Council. According its website, Mr Berry had worked for the council since 2014, including a stint as planning director. The Yass council website trumpets Mr Berry's achievements during his tenure. "Chris has risen to the challenge associated with growth in the local government area and the pressures associated with our close proximity to Canberra," his council profile reads. READ MORE: Authorities promise Thursday will be better, after MyWay+ rollout 'teething issues' The APS's biggest bullies revealed Like smoking 15 cigarettes a day " Some of his biggest achievements have been the completion of the settlement strategy for the future growth of Yass valley and finalising the rural lands planning proposal." He was previously general manager of the neighbouring Goulburn council. Earlier this month, Goulburn Mulwaree Council's CEO Aaron Johansson quit, citing an untenable relationship with the mayor Nina Dillon. He cited "differences of opinion" between himself and the mayor over the health of council finances as a key reason. But "multiple factors" played a role. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Jacob McArthur Producer Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record. Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record. More from Canberra Gladiator II vs Wicked: How 'Glicked' is bringing back Barbenheimer buzz 17m ago Council abruptly sacks chief, but it's 'business as usual', says mayor 32m ago No comment s Authorities promise Thursday will be better, after MyWay+ rollout 'teething issues' No comment s We could ease cost-of-living pain on poorer households, but it would be awkward No comment s 'Extraordinary' scale of leaders' phone hacks spark warnings for lead-up to election No comment s Raiders tap into Storm success as coaching set-up reshuffled No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... 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Jedd Fisch has a busy few weeks ahead of him. The Huskies may not be preparing for conference championship weekend this year, but next week begins one of the most crucial periods for UW’s 2025 season. “At that point in time, we can really visit what it's going to look like in the future,” Fisch said on Monday. “What’s the 2025 calendar year going to look like and what’s the team going to look like moving forward.” Washington plays No. 1 Oregon in Eugene on Saturday, kicking off a chaotic two-week period for Fisch and the Huskies. Early signing day for high school football recruits is Dec. 4. UW will find out where and when its bowl game will be on Dec. 8. Then, on Dec. 9, the winter transfer portal opens. Players will be able to enter their name until Dec. 28. “We’ll be ready for all that,” Fisch said on Monday. “We expect to make some play on some guys when they enter the portal from other programs, and we expect to have to fight hard to keep our team in check. And we’re looking forward to doing that.” Like most coaches, Fisch said he knows it’s unlikely Washington will have zero players enter the transfer portal. He said the coaching staff will have discussions with all the players on UW’s roster following the game against Oregon about where they fit in the program and what their future at Washington looks like going forward. Fisch said these meetings cover lots of different topics. Players want to know if they have a path toward playing time. They want to know how they fit into the program’s vision and how the coaching staff plans to develop them. NIL opportunities, of course, are also a major concern. Starting this summer, student-athletes will also be able to earn revenue-sharing money directly from the university. The House v. NCAA settlement received preliminary approval in October and has a hearing for final approval set for April 7, 2025, so Fisch said he and his staff will also have to explain what those opportunities will look like for his players next season, too. “It’s a matter of making sure that if you do lose a player in the portal — or a player chooses to go in the portal — it’s a good decision for everybody,” Fisch said. “You hate to see people go in there with nowhere to go. You hate to see people go in there and then feel like they’re missing out on something special. “But on that same token, we also know that some people just want to go and play, and they might see a better opportunity to play somewhere else.” Fisch also acknowledged some of his players have already had NIL collectives from other teams inquire about potentially entering the portal. This is not a recruiting violation because of a lawsuit brought against the NCAA by the states of Tennessee and Virginia earlier in 2023 which resulted in a federal judge providing a temporary preliminary injunction against the NCAA, preventing it from enforcing its NIL rules for recruits. While coaches and members of a school’s athletic department cannot reach out directly, NIL collectives, as third-party companies, are not subject to similar restrictions under the current injunction. Fisch also noted other third-party intermediaries or even friends of players on other rosters will occasionally enquire about a player’s potential entry into the transfer portal. “I don’t know exactly who they are — or maybe I do — but of course that’s going on,” Fisch said. “It’s the nature of the beast that we’re living in right now. We’re living in a world where the deregulation of college football has turned it into a little bit of the wild, wild West.” The addition of revenue sharing will also impact how UW approaches the 2025 transfer portal. Fisch noted every program and team will use its money differently, similar to NFL roster construction. For example, the UW coach said Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, Fisch’s college roommate at Florida, likes to invest heavily in offensive and defensive linemen, then quarterbacks before trying to trade for skill-position players. Other general managers, Fisch said, may prefer to have an elite wide receiver or running back. This season, however, Fisch said his number one priority — both in high-school recruiting and in the transfer portal — is helping UW get bigger. Fisch has repeatedly said he expects to build UW’s offensive line through high-school prospects. He previously noted most good offensive linemen don’t enter the transfer portal because they’re so valuable, and every program competes for the few who decide to go somewhere else. The Huskies currently have six offensive linemen committed to their 2025 recruiting class: Zac Stascausky, Jack Shaffer, Champ Taulealea, Peter Langi, Jake Flores and Lowen Colman-Brusa. Stascausky and Taulealea are both considered four-star prospects by 247Sports composite rankings. All six players weigh 275 pounds or heavier, and can sign with UW on Dec. 4. Washington has enjoyed some relative success adding defensive linemen from the transfer portal. Senior defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez, for example, has racked up 39 tackles including 4.5 for a loss, two sacks and a pass breakup since transferring from Montana State. Valdez also has 19 pressures and 13 hurries according to Pro Football Focus, making him one of UW’s most valuable 2024 transfer portal additions. “We’re recognizing the transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten starts up front,” Fisch said. “When we look at our games and how we’ve played, we see that there’s some size differential between us and the top six or seven programs that have been recruiting in the Big Ten for years and years. We need to use resources to make sure we get big. How quickly we can get big will be the test.” While Fisch thinks about building his offensive and defensive lines going forward, he said he’s still focused on putting out UW’s best effort against Oregon this Saturday at Autzen Stadium. He added his message to his players has been to get through this weekend before worrying about the future. “Let’s spend six days trying to beat Oregon, let’s just do that,” Fisch said. “Let’s not worry about who’s reaching out, and who’s trying to get what, and what money looks like, and what negotiations look like. Let’s do everything we can to beat Oregon.”Ketron Shaw scores 30 to lead Maryland Eastern Shore over Bryn Athyn 91-65
Border Crossings: 2ŁØTIf you're into next-level gaming, there might be no better time than now to snag one of this generation's best consoles: the . From growing your gaming collection to catching up on the latest tech, don't step away — this is your lucky day. Sony's latest is currently on sale at for $550. That's 15 per cent off one of the best-selling gaming consoles this year, which more than 6,000 shoppers on have purchased in the last month. Plus, the federal government's starts Dec. 14. That means tons of products, including the , are currently exempt from taxes. PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Console This new, slimmer edition of the current-generation Sony console is an update to the original version released at the end of 2020. It still offers the same punch, but now it's all packed in a thinner size. Scroll down to see why shoppers are calling it the a "marvel of technology." Sony's latest video game console offers "incredible graphics" and "unleashes new gaming possibilities" in a new generation of PlayStation — now in a slim version. One of the biggest draws of the updated is that it offers all the same features — now in a slimmer system. What was once an arguably-valid complaint of bulkiness has turned into a roughly 30 per cent cut in size for the disc version. For those who opt for the , which lacks a disc drive and only lets users play digital games, that size difference is even larger. Another nice revision on this console is a slight storage bump up. The original console only offered 825 GB of internal storage. This slim version now comes with 1 TB, letting gamers store even more of their favourite titles. In terms of performance, the specifications are the same. The slim edition, like the original, offers 4K video resolution at up to 120 frames per second. Plus, you're able to play a backlog of any supported PlayStation 4 games. 🛍️ 1,800+ reviews ⭐️ 4.6-star average rating 🎮 Gamers say the "graphics are stunning" and it's "the best console there is" Graphics are, of course, one of the top things you want to be high quality when it comes to gaming — and shoppers say the offers "incredible" and "stunning" images. One person even called it the "best console there is." PlayStation 5 Disc Edition Console Other buyers say this new system has "super fast load times" when it comes to starting up games, which is an important factor to think about when you're hoping to play the best, graphically-demanding titles. A few gamers also mentioned how "quiet" the console is, and that it's hard to tell it's even powered on. Still, one con people noted is that unlike the original version of the console, this slim edition doesn't come with a vertical stand. While shoppers who bought the first version a few years ago had the option to place their console either horizontally or vertically, the slim edition can only be set-up horizontally, somewhat defeating "the purpose of making it smaller in size." When it comes to gaming, it's hard to beat a system like the at the moment. Coming with top-notch graphics and the ability to show off video in 4K at up to 120 frames per second, you're bound to be transported to new worlds when booting up this console. Now is one of the best times of the year to scoop up this console, since it's currently on sale and part of Canada's GST/HST tax break. Shop , for a total of $550. Buying a new console means creating a high-quality gaming set-up that'll let you escape into a new world for a few hours. So, what better way to do that than by snagging some must-need accessories and top-rated games? Below are more to snag during the federal government's GST/HST tax break. OIVO PlayStation 5 Stand Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - PlayStation 5 NHL 25 - PlayStation 5 NBA 2K25 - PlayStation 5 FC 25 - PlayStation 5 PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle Meta Quest 3 512GB Super Mario Odyssey - Nintendo Switch Super Mario RPG - Nintendo Switch Just Dance 2025 Limited Edition - Nintendo Switch On top of video games and consoles, a range of other products are also listed under . If you're looking to save a bit of money on food items, children's toys, board games, books, baby items and more, we've got you covered. Clif Bar Builder's Protein Bar, 12 Count LEGO Classic Large Creative Brick Box A Court of Thorns and Roses Box Set - 5 books Graco Convertible Car Seat Taco vs. Burrito Card Game Atomic Habits - Hardcover The Uzzle 3.0 Board Game LEGO Speed Champions 2023 McLaren F1 Race Car
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Looking for hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon to toast the holidays or add to a collection? Get your bids ready as the Bluegrass State launches its first online auction of confiscated alcohol. Whiskeys up for sale include two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold in box with Japanese markings and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. The sale is the result of a new Kentucky law, which allows alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations by the state's alcoholic beverage control agency to be auctioned. Online bidding opens Wednesday and closes at midnight on Dec. 11. Proceeds will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youths. “This is a really good auction,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said by phone Tuesday. “There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.” No estimate has been given on how much the auction might raise. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction and have started planning additional auctions for 2025,” said Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The auction features 32 bottles of alcohol and includes a “stock the bar” bundle with bottles of wine, vodka, rum and whiskey, the agency said. But the stars are the hard-to-find and rare bourbons up for sale. “It’s not every day you go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Blanton’s Gold," Gregory said. “You never go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Four Roses 2011.” The lineup includes bottles of E.H. Taylor bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s, an Old Forester gift set and more. A link to the online auction is available at ABC.ky.gov . Auction items cannot be shipped, so winning bidders must pick up items in Frankfort, the state said. The auctions will become a “can't miss opportunity” for bourbon connoisseurs, Gregory said. Previously, confiscated bourbon or other spirits could end up being destroyed, he said. “We don't like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” Gregory said. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the Kentucky distillers’ group says.Spacetech startup PierSight has announced its first satellite, Varuna, designed to deliver round-the-clock, all-weather maritime surveillance using advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology. The satellite will be launched as a secondary payload aboard ISRO’s PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) platform. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Gaurav Seth, CEO & Co-Founder of PierSight, said the Varuna satellite is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, which offers unique capabilities for imaging through clouds and during night time conditions. “Varuna is an in-orbit demonstrator of Synthetic Aperture Radar, or SAR. SAR is a technology which can see through clouds and image at night. So we are using the POEM platform of ISRO to demonstrate indigenously developed subsystems for our SAR, which are the deployable antenna, as well as complete electronics and mechanical and thermal systems,” Seth stated. This cutting-edge technology is set to benefit a wide range of sectors, including government agencies, fisheries, maritime companies, insurance providers, and even hedge funds. With a complete constellation in place, PierSight envisions global 24/7 coverage of the world’s oceans. PierSight has an ambitious plan to fully operationalise its satellite constellation by 2028, with the first commercial satellite launch scheduled for next year. Highlighting their approach, Vinit Bansal, CTO & Co-Founder of PierSight, stated, “We plan regular launches year on year until 2028. The Varuna mission will ensure the flight worthiness of critical subsystems, which we aim to standardize across all future satellites to ensure scalability and modularity.” To align with customer needs, the company has launched an early access program on its website, allowing stakeholders to express interest and guide the placement of future satellites in optimal orbital planes. The initial satellites will primarily support Indian customers, while the company gauges’ global demand. Seth highlighted that the company plans to deepen its collaboration with ISRO for future launches and explore advanced technologies offered by the Indian space agency. In a separate development, VoloFin, a fintech company specialising in supply chain finance, has successfully raised $50 million in funding from a leading US-based bank. The company plans to increase this funding limit to $150 million over the next two to three years, aiming to strengthen its presence in global trade finance and further support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India. With this capital infusion, VoloFin intends to enhance access to trade finance for Indian exporters, enabling them to grow their businesses and increase their global reach. The company’s primary focus is on providing financial solutions for exporters selling goods across international borders. By financing their receivables, VoloFin aims to alleviate cash flow challenges and ensure smoother operations for exporters, thereby boosting India's export potential. “We are in the business of lending, and as a fintech, we specialize in cross-border trade finance. Our primary focus is on exporters, particularly Indian exporters, who are selling to buyers globally. With this $50 million fundraise, we will continue supporting these exporters by providing access to much-needed financing and further increasing our funding capacity to drive exports from India,” Roshan Shah, the Co-Founder and CEO of VoloFin said. VoloFin operates with a strong physical presence in three key markets—India, Singapore, and the United States—with India serving as the company’s largest market. “We’re focused on strengthening our presence in these three geographies first before exploring new regions in Asia,” Shah added. Additionally, Ola Electric has introduced its latest range of scooters, the Gig and S1 Z, designed to cater to both personal and commercial needs. With introductory prices starting at ₹39,999, these models promise to offer a mix of affordability, efficiency, and innovation, aimed at reshaping the two-wheeler landscape in India. The new scooters are built on an adaptable and scalable platform, making them suitable for a wide range of use cases, from urban to semi-rural and rural areas. According to Kripa Ananthan, Head of Design & Product at Ola Electric, this new platform allows the company to meet the diverse requirements of personal users as well as commercial entities like gig workers and last-mile mobility providers. "The scooters are durable, reliable, affordable, and efficient. We’re confident that they will address the high demand from gig workers and meet the last-mile mobility needs that are critical in today’s fast-paced world," said Ananthan. One of the key features of the new Ola Gig and S1 Z scooters is their removable battery, designed to tackle the issue of "range anxiety" that many electric vehicle users face. With the portable battery, users can easily swap it for a fully charged one, ensuring an extended range for longer commutes. Ola Electric plans to launch these new scooters between March and May 2025. The company’s vision for the future includes an expanded portfolio, with the launch of motorcycles expected within the next year. The S1 Gen 3 scooters, an upgrade to the current S1 models, will begin rolling out in January, further enhancing the company’s product offering. Ananthan also highlighted the scalability and modularity of the platform, which is set to drive cost reductions and improve profit margins over time. "Every new generation of products helps us reduce costs and improve margins. We expect to see an 8% to 10% improvement in cost advantages with the upcoming models," she added. Moreover, Rupesh Gandupalli, Co-Founder of XDLINX Space Labs shared insights on how the company plans to revolutionise satellite technology. The company has recently raised $7 million in a seed funding round. The round was led by Ashish Kacholia of Lucky Investments, with additional backing from E2MC, Mana Ventures, and a prominent family office. Watch the video for moreLuiz joined Juventus in a high-profile €50 million transfer this summer, signing a five-year deal that marked the end of his influential spell at Villa. The move, prompted by Aston Villa’s need to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules, also facilitated the arrivals of Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea. While his departure was a financial necessity, it was also a bittersweet farewell for Villa fans who had witnessed Luiz’s rise to prominence since his arrival in 2019. Unfortunately, Luiz’s start at Juventus has been challenging. The 26-year-old has been hampered by injuries, missing seven consecutive matches and featuring in just nine games across all competitions this season. With a little over 300 minutes played, his full potential at the Italian club remains untapped, leaving fans waiting for him to make a meaningful impact. Douglas Luiz: Time at Aston Villa During his time at Aston Villa, Luiz cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most dependable midfielders. Since arriving in 2019, he became a key figure for the team and contributed 22 goals and 24 assists in 204 appearances across all competitions. His 2023–24 season was particularly outstanding, with 10 goals and 10 assists in 53 matches, earning him the titles of Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season. ( ) While Juventus supporters have yet to see Luiz at his best, his experience and consistent track record suggest he has the potential to become a standout player in Serie A. With a current market value of €55 million, Luiz is expected to showcase his skills and resilience once fully fit. For Villa fans, his return to the club may remain uncertain, but his career at Villa Park is undoubtedly enduring.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Mikal Dawson scored 27 points as Marshall beat Ohio 79-70 on Saturday night. Dawson also added four steals for the Thundering Herd (6-5). Obinna Anochili-Killen scored 12 points and added 10 rebounds and three blocks. Jalen Speer had 12 points. The Bobcats (4-6) were led in scoring by AJ Brown, who finished with 22 points. AJ Clayton added 16 points. Jackson Paveletzke totaled 10 points and 12 assists. Marshall took the lead with 3:36 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Speer led his team in scoring with 12 points in the first half to help put them ahead 41-33 at the break. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated Press
New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpastePep Guardiola’s side avoided the indignity of a sixth successive defeat in all competitions and looked on course for a welcome victory thanks to a double from Erling Haaland – the first from the penalty spot – and a deflected effort from Ilkay Gundogan. Yet Guardiola was left with his head in hands as Feyenoord roared back in the last 15 minutes with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Sergio Gimenez and David Hancko, two of them after Josko Gvardiol errors. FULL-TIME | A point apiece. 🩵 3-3 ⚫️ | — Manchester City (@ManCity) Arsenal delivered the statement Champions League win Mikel Arteta had demanded as they swept aside Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials, and goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. Putting on a show at Sporting 🌟 — Arsenal (@Arsenal) Paris St Germain were left in serious of danger of failing to progress in the Champions League as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Kim Min-jae’s header late in the first half was enough to send PSG to a third defeat in the competition this season, leaving them six points off the automatic qualification places for the last 16 with three games to play. Luis Enrique’s side, who had Ousmane Dembele sent off, were deservedly beaten by Bayern who dominated chances and possession. 🔔 FULL TIME – Victory at home! +3 in the 👏❤️ | — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid were 6-0 winners away to Sparta Prague, Julian Alvarez and Angel Correa each scoring twice whilst there were also goals from Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann. Barcelona ended tournament debutants Brest’s unbeaten start with a 3-0 victory courtesy of two goals from Robert Lewandowski – one a penalty – and Dani Olmo. Lewandowski’s first was his 100th Champions League goal, only the third man to reach the mark after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. A Castello Lukeba own goal saw Inter Milan go top of the standings with a narrow 1-0 win over RB Leipzig at San Siro, whilst Bayer Leverkusen were emphatic victors against Red Bull Salzburg, Florian Wirtz scoring twice to move Xabi Alonso’s side into the automatic qualification places. Atalanta continued their strong start, albeit whilst conceding a first goal in Europe this season in a 6-1 win away to Young Boys, whilst Tammy Abraham scored the decisive goal as AC Milan beat Slovan Bratislava 3-2.