In todays light hearted look at the (non-political) news

[Horse]

That mayor has a lot of influence, it seems:

"Near-impossible travel" is expected this morning across New York City and Long Island, according to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

It also warns on X that "strong winds and intense snow rates will lead to whiteout conditions" across Downstate New York.

In a separate post, the state's Department of Transportation says: "If you can work remotely today, do it".

Officials in other states are also advising people to avoid non-essential travel.

"Stay home and stay off the roads. If you must go out, slow down, stay alert, and #DontCrowdThePlow," the Connecticut Department of Transportation writes on X.

[Horse]

Update:

Parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts have seen over 32 inches (83cm) of snow fall, with over 19 inches in New York's Central Park, the National Weather Service says

Winter storm warnings stretch from North Carolina to northern Maine, with warnings also in place in parts of eastern Canada

More than 5,600 flights into and out of the US have been cancelled

Over 600,000 homes and businesses are without power with New Jersey and Massachusetts the worst hit

In New York City, the snow is shin-deep and trees have fallen across streets, Brandon Livesay reports

Yup, the Mayor is over-reacting and abusing power?

[Taipan]

In todays light hearted look at the (non-political) news

[Horse]

In todays light hearted look at the (non-political) news

If that's referring to my two posts, read the couple immediately prior for context.

Plus, also note the bollox 'news' and, sometimes, Interesting news I often post in this thread.

[weeksy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3gqr7p0lqo

Chocolate kept in anti-theft boxes as retailers warn it's being stolen to order
Chocolate bars are being locked in plastic boxes in some UK shops as retailers and police forces warn thieves are stealing them to order.

Sainsbury's said it had begun using "boxes on products which are regularly targeted", with £2.60 bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk locked up in one London branch.

Chocolate was more recently being "sold on by criminals and is now being targeted more frequently by prolific offenders," according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

The BBC asked the National Police Chiefs' Council about the scale of the problem but it did not respond. However, individual forces told us they had seen a trend of chocolate being targeted.

In recent months some police forces have posted videos of chocolate being stolen to highlight the issue.

West Midlands Police shared CCTV footage of a man grabbing trays of chocolate, external from a shop in Stourbridge, while Wiltshire Police shared a video of a man dragging a whole shelving stand of chocolate, external out of a shop door.

And earlier last year a man was arrested by Cambridgeshire Police with a coat full of Cadbury's Creme eggs, external.

Cambridgeshire Police told the BBC: "Chocolate is one of a number of high-value items thieves often target, along with products such as alcohol, meat and coffee.

"Retail theft has a real and lasting impact – not just on businesses, but on the staff who have to deal with related abuse and intimidation."

Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium's annual crime report found there were 5.5 million detected incidents of shop theft last year, and 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers. Although this was down by a fifth on the previous year, it was still the second highest on record.

[Cousin Jack]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3gqr7p0lqo

Chocolate kept in anti-theft boxes as retailers warn it's being stolen to order
Chocolate bars are being locked in plastic boxes in some UK shops as retailers and police forces warn thieves are stealing them to order.

Sainsbury's said it had begun using "boxes on products which are regularly targeted", with £2.60 bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk locked up in one London branch.

Chocolate was more recently being "sold on by criminals and is now being targeted more frequently by prolific offenders," according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

The BBC asked the National Police Chiefs' Council about the scale of the problem but it did not respond. However, individual forces told us they had seen a trend of chocolate being targeted.

In recent months some police forces have posted videos of chocolate being stolen to highlight the issue.

West Midlands Police shared CCTV footage of a man grabbing trays of chocolate, external from a shop in Stourbridge, while Wiltshire Police shared a video of a man dragging a whole shelving stand of chocolate, external out of a shop door.

And earlier last year a man was arrested by Cambridgeshire Police with a coat full of Cadbury's Creme eggs, external.

Cambridgeshire Police told the BBC: "Chocolate is one of a number of high-value items thieves often target, along with products such as alcohol, meat and coffee.

"Retail theft has a real and lasting impact – not just on businesses, but on the staff who have to deal with related abuse and intimidation."

Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium's annual crime report found there were 5.5 million detected incidents of shop theft last year, and 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers. Although this was down by a fifth on the previous year, it was still the second highest on record.

Back to the old fashioned shop? Goods and staff on one side, customers on the other, and a big counter in between.

[gremlin]

Back to the old fashioned shop? Goods and staff on one side, customers on the other, and a big counter in between.

I can see that happening for the high-value items like meat, chocolates, alcohol, etc., where you have to pay for them before you stick them in the trolley. My sis-in-law's shop now has the spirits in locked cabinets. You want them, you press a buzzer.

[MrLongbeard]

My sis-in-law's shop now has the spirits in locked cabinets. You want them, you press a buzzer.

A local Morrison's went down that track, after 2 weeks they worked out they didn't have the staff to spare to be running back n forth to unlock them, so they leave them unlocked 24/7.

[gremlin]

My sis-in-law's shop now has the spirits in locked cabinets. You want them, you press a buzzer.

A local Morrison's went down that track, after 2 weeks they worked out they didn't have the staff to spare to be running back n forth to unlock them, so they leave them unlocked 24/7.

Easier to take the hit then put the prices up for those who choose to pay. Madness.

The original story about chocolate going into security boxes: they did that with razors, then pregnancy tests and any other high-value items the scrotes can nick.

I suppose the simple solution of actually nicking the shoplifters and giving them a bit of bird is a step too far?

[Mr Moofo]

My sis-in-law's shop now has the spirits in locked cabinets. You want them, you press a buzzer.

A local Morrison's went down that track, after 2 weeks they worked out they didn't have the staff to spare to be running back n forth to unlock them, so they leave them unlocked 24/7.

Easier to take the hit then put the prices up for those who choose to pay. Madness.

The original story about chocolate going into security boxes: they did that with razors, then pregnancy tests and any other high-value items the scrotes can nick.

I suppose the simple solution of actually nicking the shoplifters and giving them a bit of bird is a step too far?

Our local (big) Co Op has had to put all alcohol in cabinets - as has the local small One Stop. Like any town we have a number of near feral street drinkers who used to to go into these shops and "steam" as much as they could. The police don't react - and there was the proposal that anything under 150 quid wouldn't get followed up. So it lead to an epidemic- the drinkers used to sit on a bench and just go in and take what they wanted. Then the started to threaren staff and teh public who intervened.

The cabinets are there - and the drinkers have buggered off ...

[Count Steer]

A local Morrison's went down that track, after 2 weeks they worked out they didn't have the staff to spare to be running back n forth to unlock them, so they leave them unlocked 24/7.

Easier to take the hit then put the prices up for those who choose to pay. Madness.

The original story about chocolate going into security boxes: they did that with razors, then pregnancy tests and any other high-value items the scrotes can nick.

I suppose the simple solution of actually nicking the shoplifters and giving them a bit of bird is a step too far?

Our local (big) Co Op has had to put all alcohol in cabinets - as has the local small One Stop. Like any town we have a number of near feral street drinkers who used to to go into these shops and "steam" as much as they could. The police don't react - and there was the proposal that anything under 150 quid wouldn't get followed up. So it lead to an epidemic- the drinkers used to sit on a bench and just go in and take what they wanted. Then the started to threaren staff and teh public who intervened.

The cabinets are there - and the drinkers have buggered off ...

It's interesting what our CooP has under lock and key. It includes spirits but also Durex! I imagine many would shy away from asking the assistant to unlock the cabinet for a box of johnny's.

Psst!....err I'd like 'something for the weekend'. :winkysmiley:

[Horse]

It's interesting what our CooP has under lock and key. It includes spirits but also Durex! I imagine many would shy away from asking the assistant to unlock the cabinet for a box of johnny's.

Co-Op responsible for massive increase in teenage pregnancies!

[Mike1976]

Update:

with over 19 inches in New York's Central Park, the National Weather Service says

...

in New York City, the snow is shin-deep and trees have fallen across streets, Brandon Livesay reports

Yup, the Mayor is over-reacting and abusing power?

19 inch high shins? They'll be able to wade through the snow. All sounds perfectly accurate to me.

Who said over reacting and abusing power? Apart from you.

Like I said, New Yorkers being told by this new mayor they're not allowed to go out is hilarious. When that sorrt of thing starts happening here, it won't be so funny.

[Horse]

Update:

with over 19 inches in New York's Central Park, the National Weather Service says

...

in New York City, the snow is shin-deep and trees have fallen across streets, Brandon Livesay reports

Yup, the Mayor is over-reacting and abusing power?

19 inch high shins? They'll be able to wade through the snow. All sounds perfectly accurate to me.

Who said over reacting and abusing power? Apart from you.

Like I said, New Yorkers being told by this new mayor they're not allowed to go out is hilarious. When that sorrt of thing starts happening here, it won't be so funny.

You're funny

[Noggin]

TBF, if almost a metre of snow falls overnight here or in the space of a day/24 hours, people are advised to stay home or only make essential journeys - and we're well set up of dealing with snow!

83cm is a lot to deal with and for people that aren't used to driving in it, chaos!

Shin deep but also fallen trees due to snow bringing them down - we'd be told not to go out, more for the falling trees

[mangocrazy]

A local Morrison's went down that track, after 2 weeks they worked out they didn't have the staff to spare to be running back n forth to unlock them, so they leave them unlocked 24/7.

Easier to take the hit then put the prices up for those who choose to pay. Madness.

The original story about chocolate going into security boxes: they did that with razors, then pregnancy tests and any other high-value items the scrotes can nick.

I suppose the simple solution of actually nicking the shoplifters and giving them a bit of bird is a step too far?

Our local (big) Co Op has had to put all alcohol in cabinets - as has the local small One Stop. Like any town we have a number of near feral street drinkers who used to to go into these shops and "steam" as much as they could. The police don't react - and there was the proposal that anything under 150 quid wouldn't get followed up. So it lead to an epidemic- the drinkers used to sit on a bench and just go in and take what they wanted. Then the started to threaten staff and teh public who intervened.

The cabinets are there - and the drinkers have buggered off ...

I was in Waitrose (not somewhere I normally visit) looking for some decent whisky to give to my French neighbour next time we visit to thank him for all his help. I was surprised to find just empty bottles and cartons on the shelf. You had to take these to the checkout and get the till operator to flag an assistant to substitute the container for the real thing. It took about 5 minutes and seemed a bit of a faff, which made me wonder about the cost-effectiveness of the method.

The whisky was north of £50 a bottle, so they obviously don't want too many of them to be disappearing off the shelves. And this is in one of the more genteel areas of Sheffield, as well.

[ZRX61]

I just learned Costco sold $685 million worth of $5 rotisserie chickens last year.
That's 137 million chickens.
No idea what to do with this information but I wanted to share.

[ZRX61]

Light hearted?

Bringing politics and THEY into it.

Leave it out

"THEY" being NASA & Boeing...

[ZRX61]

Virginia just banned gun possession under 21 unless supervised by an "adult."
Virginia defines adult as 18.
So to be clear - you can't have a gun if you're 20.
Unless you're with an 18-year-old. Then it's apparently fine. WTF?

[Horse]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjendwk7979o

A Cornish brewery is set to close with the loss of 50 jobs.

The US brewing firm Molson Coors said it was proposing to shut Sharp's Brewery in Rock

North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire ...
"Sharp's and its famous ales like Doom Bar have become part of Cornwall's identity,"

Errr yes but ... the bottled version has been produced at the Burton-upon-Trent site since 2013.