Retail workers call for more security after Waitrose sacking for tackling shoplifter

Retail workers have called for more security guards in stores after a Waitrose worker was sacked for confronting a shoplifter.Waitrose has been criticised over its treatment of Walker Smith after the Guardian reported he was fired two days after he stopped a shoplifter taking items from an Easter egg display, including Lindt chocolate bunnies.Joanne Thomas, the general secretary of Usdaw, the shop workers’ union, said: “Usdaw supports a physical security presence in stores and we have ongoing conversations with employers about protection for retail workers on the frontline of the rise in retail crime.“The results of our 2025 annual survey show that 59% of members would welcome more security in stores because security guards provide reassurance, act as a deterrent and have specialist experience to deal with incidents.“While not as popular as a physical security presence, members also value other security measures such as improved CCTV, facial recognition technology, body-worn cameras and headsets that help to identify perpetrators, record incidents and link workers to a central control for support

Delta CEO braces flyers for higher fares amid surge in oil prices tied to Iran war

The CEO of Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian, braced customers for higher fares following the surge in oil prices sparked by the US-Israel war on Iran, amid strong demand from passengers.Though rising oil prices have cost the company an extra $330m in fuel expenses, and it projected a $2bn increase in fuel costs in the current quarter, Delta forecast that revenue would grow 10% as flyers continue to book flights.It was a “healthy” time to travel, Bastian said on Wednesday.But as several carriers raise baggage fees, blaming volatility in the oil markets, Bastian hinted such moves could be permanent – increasing the cost of air travel. “At this level of fuel [pricing], it’s hard to call anything temporary,” he said

The life-changing magic of wearing smartglasses | Letters

I read with sympathy the concerns of Elle Hunt in relation to privacy issues around Meta smartglasses (I wore Meta’s smartglasses for a month – and it left me feeling like a creep, 1 April). Clearly there needs to be ongoing development of technology and protocols that protect the public from ill-intentioned users. As the chief executive of a charity supporting people with a visual impairment, however, I would like to emphasise the point touched upon in your article: how transformative this technology is already proving for blind people.We are seeing significant numbers of our visually impaired staff and clients using Meta glasses in conjunction with their mobile phones to improve their ability to perform ordinary functions that most of us take for granted. A visual impairment can be disempowering and isolating

Tell us: do you use AI chatbots to make decisions for you?

AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are now a part of everyday life.More and more people are using them to help make decisions in their lives, like sending text messages, deciding what to cook, or navigating relationships.We want to hear about your experiences of using chatbots. Are you addicted to them? And what type of decisions are you using them for?You can tell us your experiences of using chatbots using this form.Please include as much detail as possible

England full-back George Furbank heads for Harlequins in lucrative switch

Underperforming Harlequins have confirmed the signing of England’s full-back George Furbank as they seek to rebuild their squad for next season.The 29-year-old Furbank has been an influential figure at Northampton, the league leaders, but a lucrative contract offer has persuaded him to try his luck in south-west London.While Furbank has been sidelined through injury for lengthy chunks of the past two years, he remains a ­quality operator with 14 ­international caps who looks certain to be a ­member of England’s World Cup squad. Quins, second-bottom of the 10-team Prem, will be hoping he can have an ­immediate impact on their fortunes.“I have been at Saints since I was 14-15 years old so it will be a different challenge, but I am keen to step out of my comfort zone,” he said

Gnome unknowns: Masters chair Ridley in dark about ornaments’ Augusta future

The Masters gnome drama has taken another twist after the chair of Augusta National admitted he is in the dark as to the must-have items’ future. Fred Ridley has repeatedly asked whether 2026 will be the final year ­for gnomes being on sale – as has been widely speculated – but revealed there is internal secrecy even towards him.Ridley’s annual Masters media address took an amusing turn when a questioner put what was ­suggested as a “trivial” poser towards him: are reports of the gnomes’ demise ­correct? “Number one, the question is not trivial,” he said. “Number two: I’ve been asking that question for ­several years and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you