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THE identity of the Zodiac Killer has remained one of America’s biggest mysteries.

One person who has claimed to identify the man responsible for the murder spree in the late 60s is author Robert Graysmith.

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Born on September 17, 1942 in Florida, Robert Graysmith is an American true crime author and former cartoonist. 

He is known for his work on the Zodiac Killer case. 

Robert worked as a political cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle in 1969, when the Zodiac Killer case came to prominence. 

He attempted to decode letters written by the killer and became obsessed with the case over the next 13 years. 

Killer books

Robert’s investigation into the case led him to write two books on the unknown murderer.

His first book, which was simply titled Zodiac, was released in 1982.

Robert’s second book, Zodiac Unmasked: The Identity of America’s Most Elusive Serial Killer, was published in 2002.

Both books alleged that Arthur Leigh Allen, who died in 1992, was the Zodiac Killer.

Following the success of these publications, Robert eventually gave up his career as a cartoonist to write five more books on high-profile crimes.

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Alarmy

Immortalized in film

Robert’s book, and his investigation into the serial killer, was made into a film called Zodiac, which was directed by David Fincher and released in 2007.

The movie is set in the ’60s and follows a serial killer on the loose in San Francisco.

In the movie, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert, who is one of the journalists obsessed with learning the killer’s identity and bringing him to justice.

Meanwhile, Zodiac claims victim after victim and taunts the authorities with cryptic messages, ciphers, and menacing phone calls.

The film ends with Robert tracking down a man called Arthur Leigh Allen, who he is convinced is the Zodiac Killer.

NEWLY camera-equipped school buses have begun rolling out to stop reckless drivers and keep kids safe while getting on and off.

A suburban school district in Illinois is leading the effort by issuing hefty stop arm violations against drivers who refuse to stop when a school bus lights are on, and its stop arm is extended outward.

Fox 32 Chicago

Fox 32 Chicago

Fox 32 Chicago

Beginning this school year, all school buses transporting students from Indian Prairie District 204 in Aurora, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, will be equipped with a fourth camera next to the stop arm.

“A school bus stop sign is a stop sign, Ron Johnson, the director of support operations for Indian Prairie District 204, told Fox affiliate WFLD-TV.

“It is a traffic control device you have to stop. Just think these are children around school buses not necessarily looking for you to not stop.”

Johnson said during the last school year, only 15 tickets were issued to drivers who blew past school bus stop signs.

To Johnson, that’s a small number compared to the 1,100 routes school bus drivers run a day.

“Early childhood – 260 drivers, so 260 vehicles. So, 15 out of all those opportunities for a violation to be reported. We think we’re going to get a little bit more,” he added.

So far this school year, Johnson said that the district has seen more stop sign violations due to the fourth camera on their buses.

“This is our first year utilizing it, and we’re seeing a lot more stop arm violations being reported because it’s a little bit easier for drivers,” said Johnson.

“Every day. Every day, I personally have had up to five or six blown stop arms in one day,” driver James Canady told the outlet.

Before the additional camera was installed, school drivers were forced to manually write down and remember the model of the car, plate number, and the time and date of the violation.

However, now, with the push of a button, Canady can radio the First Student Transportation bus service dispatcher and inform them that a stop arm violation has occurred.

Then, the camera system automatically sends a video clip of the violation to the service road’s supervisors, who then forward it to the local police department, according to WFLD-TV.

Jeanne Junkas, the First Student Transportation road supervisor, called the new system “effective.”

“In one day, you can have 15 [violations],” she said.

In just over a month into the new school year, the Indian Prairie District 204 reportedly saw a 300% increase in the number of violations they’ve sent to local police.

The Naperville Police Department told WFLD-TV they’re working diligently to review the violations and determine if a warning or a citation should be issued.

“A stop arm violation is very serious,” Rick Krakow, the commander of the Naperville Police Department, said.

“The first offense, if convicted, is a mandatory three-month suspension of your driver’s license and a $300 fine.

“A second conviction is a mandatory one-year suspension and a $1,000 fine with community service possibilities.”

Naperville police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The U.S. Sun.

TOM Holland has opened up about becoming a father one day and shared the support his girlfriend, Zendaya, has given him on Good Morning America. 

Tom, 28, appeared on Good Morning America to promote his non-alcoholic beer after being sober for “nearly three years.”

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Tom Holland on Good Morning America to discuss his new non-alcoholic beer[/caption]

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Michael Strahan, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Laura Spencer on GMA[/caption]

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GMA shared a sweet photo of Tom Holland with his girlfriend, Zendaya, from 2021[/caption]

On the TV stint, host Michael Strahan asked the Spider-man star how his girlfriend, Zendaya, and other loved ones helped him on his sobriety journey. 

“I think just by showing an overwhelming sense of support,” Tom said.

“I realized who my real friends were… and getting an overwhelming sense of support from them and enjoying a nightlife experience with them without the pressure of having a drink was a beautiful experience.”

Co-host Robin Roberts then asked the actor what the best piece of advice his father has given him. 

“I think one of my dad’s best pieces of advice for me in the future when I one day become a dad is don’t be friends with your kids,” she shared.

“Your job is to parent your kids. You could be friendly, but don’t be friends with your kids.”

During the interview, GMA shared a sweet photo of Tom and Zendaya on the red carpet of Spider-man: No Way Home from 2021. 

OFF-SCREEN ROMANCE

Tom and Zendaya, 28, confirmed their relationship in 2021. 

Rumors began swirling the couple got engaged earlier this year after a photo circulated of Tom getting down on one knee and asking a stunned Zendaya to marry him.

The picture shows Tom in a black tuxedo and Zendaya in a beaded jumpsuit.

The photo, however, was proven to be AI-generated, which debunked the engagement theory.

CHANNELING CHER

While Tom has been promoting his non-alcoholic beer, Zendaya has been heating up the red carpet. 

The Euphoria star stunned in a classic 1972 look worn by superstar Cher, as she attended the 39^th Rock and Roll induction ceremony over the weekend, where the legendary singer, 78, was being honored. 

Her vintage gold dress features a crisscross halter neckline with straps around her midriff.

The shimmering skirt was split at the thigh, showing off her long legs. 

The Spider-man star was later joined by singers Dua Lipa 29, and Cher backstage as the iconic trio posed for photos.

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Tom Holland opened up about his ‘supportive’ girlfriend on GMA[/caption]

GEOFF CAPES has sadly passed away at the age of 75.

The legendary strongman was considered Britain’s finest shot-putter during his career.

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Geoff Capes has passed away at the age of 75[/caption]

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He was twice named the world’s strongest man[/caption]

Capes from Holbeach in Lincolnshire was adored by millions and became a household name in the Eighties and Nineties.

The 6ft 6′ star was also named the world’s strongest man on two different occasions.

His first victory came in the World’s Strongest Man event in 1983 in Christchurch, and the second was two years later in Cascais.

A family statement said: “The family of Geoffrey Capes would like to announce his sad passing today, 23rd October.

“Britain’s finest shot-putter and twice world’s strongest man.”

During his shot-putt career, he won gold medals in the European Indoor Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Fans of Capes have flooded social media to pay tribute to the legend.

One posted: “RIP legendary strongman Geoff Capes.

A second wrote: “Another sporting hero from our youth leaves us. RIP Geoff Capes.”

A third commented: “Sad to hear of the death of Geoff Capes. He was a big part of my TV childhood. Thoughts are with his family and friends.”

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Tributes have flooded in for the legend on social media[/caption]

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He also competed at two Olympic games[/caption]

A fourth said: “So sad to hear the news that Geoff Capes passed away.”

He was also a three-time Olympian as he competed at the 1972 Munich games 1976 Montreal Olympics and the 1980 games in Moscow.

In his debut games, he finished in 20th place.

He was one of the favourites for gold at both of his latter tournaments but finished sixth and fifth.

Capes also competed in the Highland Games in Scotland and won the World Heavy Events title in Lagos in 1981.

After retiring, he went on to coach stars in both athletics and strength athletics.

He helped Adrian Smith take fifth spot in the World’s Strongest Man in 1990.

During the eighties, he was a regular on TV screens in the country as he appeared on entertainment shows such as Little and Large and the Kenny Everett Television Show.

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HONEST shoppers are being punished by a surge in retail fraud and abuse, as retailers move to tighten return and refund policies in a bid to combat a $30 billion problem each year.

New research from e-commerce technology company Riskified found global retailers are grappling with a huge uptick in returns policy abuse, in which customers knowingly exploit or manipulate a merchant’s terms and conditions for personal gain.

Riskified via 5WPR

Riskified’s Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Otto said retailers were cracking down on generous returns policies[/caption]

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Target is winding back its lenient in-store returns policy (stock image)[/caption]

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Walmart ended its pandemic-era returns policy in response to fraud (stock image)[/caption]

Following high level interviews with over 500 senior directors and large e-commerce businesses, Riskified compiled data which estimates returns, refunds and exchanges are costing retailers a whopping $394 billion with at least $28 billion due to fraud and abuse.

Some examples of this behavior by customers include ordering multiple sizes and colors with an intent to return most items, claiming an item was not received or returning an item that has been worn for a full refund.

In response to this surge in losses, retailers are winding back generous returns policies – first introduced during the pandemic – which experts say is harming shoppers who are doing the right thing.

Riskified Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Otto said the “generous policies at all costs” era was over.

MAJOR BRANDS CRACKING DOWN

Target recently announced a significant change to its in-store returns policy which has caught many loyal customers off-guard.

While shoppers can still return unopened items in excellent condition within 90 days, the store has now reserved the right to refuse returns, refunds and exchanges if they are suspicious of fraud.

This includes cases where customers present a valid receipt, but still may be flagged if the store believes the shopper is gaming the system.

The departure away from a lenient returns system comes as the major brand cracks down on rising fraud.

Walmart has also reverted back to pre-pandemic returns policy, after the major brand extended its returns rules granting shoppers four months to return items they purchased. 

Online clothing retailer ASOS has also introduced a returns fee for people who frequently send items back.

The retailer blamed the levels of returns as “unsustainable” with online shopping generating 4.8 times more packaging than brick and mortar shopping. 

While there has been a rise in mom and dad shoppers doing the wrong thing, the new research found refunds abuse and fraud had become much more prolific driven by forums like the Dark Web and availability of malicious generative AI tools.

Riskified partnered with Opinium Research who spoke to executives in seven major ecommerce markets including the US, UK, France, Mexico, Brazil and Australia and New Zealand.

Riskified’s research found middle-aged, middle-class shoppers were the most likely to participate in “white lie” fraud driven by a sense that “everyone else was doing it.”

According to the research, 84% of merchants said it was harder to identify fraudulent activity today while 76% agreed policy abuse was becoming more sophisticated.

GOOD SHOPPERS PUNISHED

Otto said good shoppers were being unfairly punished, as stores retract generous returns policies.

What has happened is these merchants are realizing the financial impact they have absorbed, and now they are changing their policies back

Jeff OttoRiskified's Chief Marketing Officer

“We are seeing a retraction, and these retailers are not offering the generous refunds or returns policies that they used to.

“They’re doing it in a blanket way, and that hurts good consumers along with unethical and bad consumers. It is a blunt instrument, punishing everyone for the crimes of a few.”’

Otto said there was a different way to handle this abuse, rather than seeing good shoppers punished by a few bad eggs.

Retailers can use Riskified, which protects shoppers and retailers by using AI to detect whether fraud is at play. 

Many companies are already using Riskified, including Wayfair, Booking.com, Shein, GoPro, Macy’s, Uniqlo and Capital One. 

A group is demanding the federal government better support Canada's wildfire fighters, warning that without action, more of them will leave the job as fire seasons become longer.

Police are investigating nearly a dozen reports of rocks being thrown at vehicles in York Region that have caused major damage to vehicles and injuries to drivers and passengers.

The chair of an Ontario school board under fire for a summertime Italy trip claims several donors are 'very interested' in footing the $100,000 bill for artwork it commissioned.

Winnipeg (10-7) can clinch first in the West — and home field for the division final Nov. 9 — with a road win or tie Saturday versus the Montreal Alouettes (12-4-1).

Firefighters and their victims are on Parliament Hill today to demand the federal government better support wildfire fighters, warning more will leave the job.