E-commerce’s stratospheric growth is slowing down . The retail industry began tickling the bells of doom even before Shopify’s stocks dipped 19%, when it warned of an e-commerce slowdown in April . Meanwhile, brick-and-mortar stores are having a Renaissance moment . Nobody expected any knight in shining armor to come along and boost e-commerce in the months since, and well, none did. Here’s a rhetorical question for you: Do you, like me, wonder how much of may be due to customers sick and tired of their packages being stolen? Fucking porch pirates, man. Videos by VICE Save time, then eat the loss More and more, I run through a new equation when I’m about to place an online order from anywhere. Does the order cost more than $100? Ok, if that’s a yes, then I’m already more predisposed to walking into a physical store to buy it, or to pick out something comparable if I can and if my first choice isn’t available in stores nearby. Then line two of the equation is whether the item being shipped is of a category of goods particularly appetizing to thieves. Electronics? Shoes? Furniture? Yeah, fat chance I’m going to order that to my door. Two years ago, sure. Maybe even a year ago. I’m older, wiser, and thanks to the goddamn package theft scourge, a fair bit poorer. it’s getting worse New York City’s Gothamist reported on the increasingly organized and brazen package theft in the city. But it isn’t just a big-city problem . Capital One published a lengthy, meaty report on October 15, 2024 about package theft statistics, reporting that “Suburban consumers are 50.3% more likely to be victimized than urban residents and seven times more likely than rural dwellers.” It’s rare these days that I order anything costing over $500 if I can’t pick it up in a store. Two months ago I had $800 of motorcycle gear shipped to my door, and I felt forced to stay home all day shitting bricks in fright that somebody with sticky hands is going to scoop up my box like a malevolent Hungry Hungry Hippo. Every week I walk past new posters put up by residents pleading with thieves to stop stealing their baby formula, pet food, and grocery deliveries. I wouldn’t go as far to say that it’s the e-commerce companies’ responsibilities to solve the enormous infrastructure problem. It wasn’t created by them, although it has been exacerbated by their business models. There’s only so much individual customers can do. But until the day when the ease of ordering online isn’t automatically canceled out by a hefty scoop of all-day anxiety, I’ll keep on ordering socks and bars of ( fragrance-free ) soap online, no problem. The big, expensive stuff? I’ll pretend it’s 1999 and get it in store.Garrett Wilson clearly isn't happy. And his future with the New York Jets seems murkier than ever. The star wide receiver wants to win more than anything, but three losing seasons to start his NFL career have taken their toll. Wilson has been an extremely bright spot for the Jets during that span, setting team receiving records and establishing himself as one of the top players in the NFL at his position. He's the fourth-most targeted player in the league this season. But he still believes he could do more — and that he can help the Jets (4-11) win. Wilson had six catches for 54 yards on Sunday in New York's 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Four of his seven targets came during the Jets' final drive. Davante Adams had 13 targets and clearly has been the favorite target of Aaron Rodgers — not surprising since they played together eight years in Green Bay. But Wilson has seemed almost an afterthought lately. "I don't know, to be honest with you, man," Wilson said after the game when asked why he wasn't more involved in the offense. "I've just got to go out and put my best foot forward and hope that things fall my way. I'd love to be involved, love to make an impact on the game, but if people see it differently, then it's out of my control. “So, just trying to do what I can do.” That came a few days after Wilson was noncommittal on whether he can see himself staying with the Jets long term if they offer him a contract extension after the season. He had a similar response after the game. “At the end of the day, we've got to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Monday. “He’s one of the best players on our team, if not one of the best players in this league, especially at his position, so the progression for a lot of different reasons from a coverage standpoint took (Rodgers) off Garrett, but at the same time, we've got to find ways to get him the ball, for sure.” Wilson is due for an extension after this season, but the Jets have control over his contract through the 2027 season. There are rumblings that Wilson, who ranks among the league leaders with 90 receptions and 987 yards receiving, could seek a trade. The Jets' next general manager and coach will have to make decisions on the futures of several players, including Rodgers, but Wilson also will be a priority in the team's offseason conversations. “If you weren’t frustrated, I think that would bother me to an extent,” Ulbrich said. “I think he’s just one of those ultimate competitors that wants the ball, not for selfish reasons. Just from the standpoint he knows he can help our team win if he does have the ball in his hands.” What’s working Fast starts. The Jets have scored touchdowns on their opening possession in each of their last two games after previously not doing so all season. What needs help With the team out of the playoff hunt, Ulbrich was aggressive. The Jets went for it on fourth down five times against the Rams and converted just twice. Two of the stops led to points for Los Angeles. After Breece Hall was stuffed on fourth-and-1 at the Jets 33 in the second quarter, the Rams kicked a field goal to tie it. On their first possession of the second half, the Jets went for it on a fourth-and-4 from the Rams 13 instead of kicking a field goal. But Rodgers' fade pass to Adams was incomplete, ending a 14-play, 78-yard drive. Los Angeles followed by kicking another tying field goal. Stock up CB D.J. Reed. The veteran defensive back has arguably been the Jets' best cornerback this season. Reed is scheduled to be a free agent during the coming offseason and could be in for a big payday. Whether to bring him back will be a major topic of conversation for the Jets' new regime. Stock down K Anders Carlson. He briefly provided some stability as the Jets' fourth kicker this season but has struggled lately. Carlson missed an extra point, his second of the season, and was wide right on a late 49-yard field goal try that would've made it a one-score game and given the Jets a chance at a comeback attempt against the Rams. Ulbrich said there's a chance there could be another change this week. Injuries Rookie LT Olu Fashanu is dealing with a foot injury. The first-round pick was seen on crutches after the game, but Ulbrich said Fashanu was still getting tests done to determine the severity of the injury. ... DT Quinnen Williams was inactive with a hamstring injury. He tested it before the game and was scratched. Ulbrich said there's a chance he'll play this week. ... CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring) and S Tony Adams (ankle) left the game with injuries. Key number 0 — The Jets scored 9 points and had no punts in the loss to Los Angeles. They joined the 1991 Colts — a 16-7 loss to the Patriots in the season opener — as the only teams in the Super Bowl era to score fewer than 10 points and not punt. What’s next The Jets travel for their last road game of the season to Buffalo, where they'll take on the AFC East rival Bills. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated PressOil prices rise 1% in thin pre-holiday trade
The AI Advantage: Transforming Business Growth for Founders
Injured cornerback Riley Moss could return to Denver's lineup at CincinnatiJalen Johnson scores 28 to lead the Hawks over the Bulls 120-110Ellomay Capital Announces an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders
Federal prosecutors managed to win a conviction against former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) on one of the most dramatic and blatant corruption cases in recent U.S. history. But they may have violated the Constitution when they showed evidence to the jury, reported Politico — and it could give Menendez an opening to get a new trial, and possibly beat the charges. Menendez, a longtime staple of New Jersey politics who already beat a completely different set of corruption charges a decade ago, was convicted of conspiracy to commit bribery, actions to benefit Egypt , and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. Prosecutors detailed how he and his wife accepted bribes to take official actions on behalf of Egypt and Qatar, accepting hundreds of thousands from foreign officials in cash, mortgage payments, and even gold bars which he went on to hide in his house. The problem is that, according to Politico, the jury may have had the opportunity to see material that they should not have been allowed to see. ALSO READ: Presidential run eyed for 'relentless' Dem gov who beat brutal GOP opposition in key state "In several surprise legal filings since mid-November, prosecutors from the Southern District of New York revealed they had inadvertently given the jury access to evidence a judge ruled jurors should not see," said the report. "The evidence at issue was loaded onto a laptop the jury was given during its deliberations. Prosecutors have said it’s 'vanishingly unlikely' and unreasonable to think any juror actually poured through all the documents on the laptop and came across the tainted material, which amounts to scraps of unredacted text messages amid 3,000 often lengthy documents." However, if any of them did see these text messages, it would run afoul of the Constitution's Speech and Debate Clause, which grants members of Congress immunity for what they say during official proceedings. This same provision was wielded by Trump's legal team to try to stop former Vice President Mike Pence from testifying to special counsel Jack Smith's team, and it is why the House GOP's desire for former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) to be criminally prosecuted for her work on the House January 6 Committee will likely be impossible . If, as Menendez's legal team is now trying to argue, the jury was tainted by seeing these materials, the judge could ultimately order a new trial for the former senator — and there's no guarantee such a trial would end with another conviction. Former federal prosecutor Jonathan Kravis told Politico, “the prosecution gift-wrapped them one here.” However, if prosecutors manage to convince the court that this did not amount to a violation of Menendez's constitutional rights, he will be sentenced next month.Vincerx Pharma (NASDAQ:VINC) Enters into a Binding Term Sheet for Business Combination with Oqory, Inc.White-Label Payment Solutions: Building Custom Payment Experiences
The Maoist threat in Odisha has witnessed a substantial decrease, with only 60-70 members of the banned organization remaining active, according to a senior BSF official. BSF IG CD Aggarwal announced that most active Maoists in Odisha come from neighboring Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, with only seven from Odisha lacking leadership roles. The BSF continues its commitment to eradicate Naxalism from Odisha by 2026, employing advanced technologies and enhancing cooperation with local police and intelligence agencies, despite persisting challenges in dense forest areas. (With inputs from agencies.)
Commerce Department to reduce Intel's funding on semiconductorsDETROIT (WXYZ) — Organizers are unveiling plans for next year's Detroit Auto Show Mobility Global Forum which will run January 15-16, 2025, at Huntington Place in Detroit. The event will feature more than 30 panels and fireside chats from "global OEMs, startups, tech companies, industry trade organizations, non-profits and the public sector." Organizers say the programs will "focus on the theme, 'Convergence of Industry, Technology and Talent'.” A preliminary speaker lineup has been released on their website and the full list will be announced "soon." The Mobility Global Forum is in it's third year as part of Industry Days at the Detroit Auto Show. The show itself will run from January 10-20, 2025. Presentations will be held on the Huntington Place Atrium stage and the AutoMobili-D stage in the Grand Ballroom. A ticket to the show is not required to attend the forum. According to organizers, topics that will be featured include: “The Detroit Auto Show is all about getting people excited about vehicles and new technologies,” said 2025 Detroit Auto Show Chairman Karl Zimmermann in a news release. “But, it’s also about providing a deep dive into evolving industry trends with an eye focused on the continued integration of technology within the mobility space and the skill set needed to make this technology a reality.”
A unique Christmas tree with over 150 illuminated crab pots stands tall at Prince Rupert’s Rushbrook Harbour. It highlights the importance of the local seafood industry in the North Coast’s social, cultural and economic landscape. The Area A Crab Association, Harbour Machining, Tourism Prince Rupert, and Port Edward Harbour Authority collaborated to build the tree to celebrate the community. “We love supporting everything that emphasizes the town’s rich fishery heritage and shows that our fishing industry here is still thriving,” said Port Edward Harbour Authority. Chelsey Ellis is the executive director of the Area A Crab Association, which represents 42 commercial crab fishing vessels and over 160 crew members that harvest Dungeness crab in “Area A” (Hecate Strait). She says Prince Rupert is home to B.C.’s largest Dungeness crab fishing vessels. These vessels operate in the notoriously rough waters of the Hecate Strait and range in size from 35ft to 62ft. Over 60 per cent of the province’s total Dungeness crab catch is harvested on the North Coast, with Prince Rupert and Port Edward as the main offloading hubs. Since 2016, an average of 10 million pounds of Dungeness crab has been landed annually in Prince Rupert and Port Edward. “We are really proud to be the Dungeness crab capital of Canada here in Prince Rupert,” said the Area A Crab Association. “This tree grew so far beyond what we originally envisioned due to the passion and energy that came from all the organizations coming together. The tree captures the essence of Prince Rupert and is so authentic to our coastal identity,” said Tourism Prince Rupert. This December is the first time residents of Rupert and the area can observe such a sight. “This year we wanted to help make the biggest and best Crab Trap Tree on the whole Pacific Coast,” said Harbour Machining. Lobster trap Christmas trees have been appearing along the East Coast of Canada and the U.S. since the early 2000s and have since made their way to the West Coast using crab pots. For this project, the collaborators sought inspiration from the Dungeness crab pot tree created by the Fishermen’s Wives of Humboldt in Humboldt Bay, California. “A coalition of like-minded organizations and commercial fishing industry partners has recently been formed to enhance local access to seafood and create new opportunities for our sustainable fisheries and aquaculture to become key elements of Prince Rupert’s tourism experience,” said Jaimie Angus, executive director of Tourism Prince Rupert. She adds that this crab tree marks the beginning of more festivals and activities, such as crab boils centred around local seafood. The coalition’s long-term goal is to maintain crab accessibility for everyone in restaurants and live tanks. The crab tree will remain at Rushbrook Harbour for visitors to enjoy until the first week of January.
WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request after it experienced trouble with its flight operating system, or FOS. The airline blamed technology from one of its vendors. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get our free email newsletters — latest headlines and e-edition notifications.
DENVER — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family's home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note was left behind. The gravesite of JonBenet Ramsey is covered with flowers Jan. 8, 1997, at St. James Episcopal Cemetery in Marietta, Ga. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet's killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey." In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. "What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come in to detectives," he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the "media circus" surrounding the case. A police officer sits in her cruiser Jan. 3, 1997, outside the home in which 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered Dec. 26, 1996, in Boulder, Colo. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet's clothing that pointed to the involvement of an "unexplained third party" in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys "victims of this crime." John Ramsey continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado's governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he advocated for several items that were not prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn't been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be "consumed" if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review ended but police continue to work through and evaluate a "lengthy list of recommendations" from the panel. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
