Latest news with #elderlyCouple
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
The Bookless Club: Have you ever been burglarized?
It's one thing to come home and find that your home has been robbed. It's another thing entirely to be woken up by the sounds of someone burglarizing your home while you sleep. Every few years, we seem to have a rash of these sorts of robberies. They're usually in summer when windows are left open in hope of an elusive nighttime breeze. A scarier version of this crime is the snatch-and-grab artist who, while the homeowner is moving the sprinkler in the front yard, pops into an open back door to grab whatever he can — usually a purse. Brazen! I was chilled to hear the story from an elderly couple who lived down the street from me. They had just sat down to lunch when a stranger came down from upstairs and went out the front door. I guess he figured he could … so he did. Currently, the Vancouver Police Department is working on apprehending a serial break-and-enter criminal who has been burglarizing homes on Vancouver's West Side this year. They can assign at least 16 B&Es to this enterprising fellow. Coming home to find that your home has been burglarized is always an awful experience, but this guy is breaking into homes while people are at home, while they're sleeping. And he has hit at least one home twice. Someone I know figures she had a lucky encounter with this guy. Here's her story: 'It was the middle of the day. I was at the kitchen window when I noticed this young Asian guy heading into my backyard. I opened the window and asked him, 'Can I help you?' He answered that he was Vancouver police. This is when my hackles went up. Doesn't VPD knock at your front door before snooping around your backyard? Especially if the 'officer' is in plainclothes? He explained that he was looking for closed-circuit cameras that may have caught images of a robber working in the area. I asked him when and where the robbery was. He gave a vague answer, but it made no sense. The robbery was two blocks away, according to him. 'Why would a robber from two blocks away make his getaway through my backyard?' I asked. I told him we had no CC cameras, and he left. I wish I'd asked for his card or some identification. I called the non-emergency number for VPD and reported the incident and the so-called officer. The police never got back to me — which in itself, is alarming. A few months later, the news had closed-circuit camera images of the robber in action. I recognized him instantly. Now I'm trying to get used to locking doors and windows even when I'm home.' That sure sounds like a near-miss, doesn't it? If she hadn't been at the kitchen sink, I wonder what might have happened. Property crime is certainly a bigger part of our lives these days. I've had my car broken into about half a dozen times over the past 20 years. Once, we woke up to find our car up on blocks and the new tires stolen … and the car had been parked directly under the bedroom window. I once looked out my window in the middle of the night to see two guys on bikes stopping to look into each parked car on the block. And we've all seen crooks exit a parking lot with their arms full of garbage bags stuffed with stolen property. This, I can live with, if I have to. I just don't want to wake up to a fellow intent on parting me with my antiquated technology or silly jewelry. There's really no saying how that could end. Jane Macdougall is a freelance writer and former National Post columnist who lives in Vancouver. She writes The Bookless Club every Saturday online and in The Vancouver Sun. For more of what Jane's up to, check out her website, Question: Have you ever been burglarized? What precautions do you take? Send your answers by email text, not an attachment, in 100 words or less, along with your full name to Jane at thebooklessclub@ We will print some next week in this space. Question: What are your Canada Day or summer rituals? • The Tragically Hip, no explanation or story required. We all feel the same. Deborah Jean • In our working lives, we were both teachers. For us, the official beginning of summer was the Port Moody Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast (part of Golden Spike Days). This year is the 48th annual Pancake Breakfast. It's been $5 for as long as we can remember, and is a great way to kick off the summer. Byron Yip • Our summer family ritual is Third Beach in Stanley Park. I have been going there since 1973 and haven't missed a summer. My 50-year-old daughter can say the same. She was there in July 1974, one month before she was born! Now the ritual includes her children too, two of whom in their 20s now. It is a beautiful and special place for all of us. Jean Lawrence • One of the Canada Day rituals that I cannot miss is when I attend the Canadian citizenship ceremony at Canada Place and offer my warm welcome to many new citizens to the nation's family. It's the one event that instils a lot of pride in me, knowing the risks and challenges so many immigrants had to take to come to Canada and hopefully partake in all that our nation offers and contribute as best as they can to keeping our country a safe, diversity friendly, accepting, democratic nation with all the rights and freedoms we cherish. The only other summer ritual I really enjoy is eating all the cold, seedless watermelon I can on the hottest days of the summer. Leslie Benisz • My husband was a passionate gardener. I am not. We have two shrubs, one in front, one in back. He told me the name several times, but somehow, I never remember. I do remember the generic name is Hot Lips, but since the little flowers are red and white, I just call them our Canada Day plant and put some in a vase every year. Linda Moore • On Canada Day, we normally visit a family friend at their summer cabin just below the border. The joke was we were bringing the True North, south. It was always a great day on the water. This year, we're staying home … and for the foreseeable future. What could be more Canadian than that? Name withheld
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malaysian couple travels across country for cable car ride – only to find out it was AI-generated
An elderly Malaysian couple reportedly travelled more than 370km from Kuala Lumpur to enjoy a cable car ride they had seen online, only to realise upon arrival that the video was generated through artificial intelligence (AI). The couple travelled to Pengkalan Hulu in the western state of Perak last month to enjoy the joyride, according to a viral post on the social media platform Threads, reported by several local media outlets. In a post shared by a hotel employee in Gerik, Perak, named Daya on 30 June, she recalled that the couple allegedly asked her if she had visited the cable car in Kuak Hulu. The couple told her they had seen the cable car in a video featured during a news segment of a local channel. In the AI-generated video, a woman with a mic introduced the "Kuak Skyride" – a purported scenic cable car ride in the quiet town of Kuak Hulu. The video showed people forming queues outside a ticketing booth, while tourists clicked photos of the attraction. The AI-generated video showed the "reporter" interviewing visitors, including tourists from Thailand, and having a luxurious meal. The cable car journey, against the picturesque mountains, culminates at a deer petting zoo in the AI-generated video. "I was so shocked... I explained to the auntie that the video was (made by AI) and not real,' the hotel worker wrote in a post. 'The auntie then asked 'Why would anyone want to lie? There was even a reporter (in the video)',' the employee added. The elderly woman said she did not come across comments under the video to indicate that it was fake, and expressed their wish to sue the journalist. However, the employee said she had to remind the woman that the journalist in the video also did not exist. When asked why they did not check with their children before visiting, the couple said they were embarrassed. "Please, all of you diligently ask your parents who are traveling, ask where you are going from KL [Kuala Lumpur] to Perak," the employee added in her post. The viral AI video has prompted authorities to issue clarifications, stating that such a cable car project does not exist in Perak. 'Of course, it doesn't exist... but I admit, it was exciting to watch. We were entertained, even if it was just AI-generated content," Sinar Harian newspaper quoted Baling district officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahaya as saying. 'Who knows, maybe one day it could become a reality. After all, Baling and Pengkalan Hulu do have mountains and scenic views that are suitable and beautiful," he said. Baling's acting district police chief Ahmad Salimi Md Ali cautioned the public against sharing content on social media before verifying. 'To date, we have not received any reports involving losses, fraud or public concern related to the viral AI-generated video. 'Checks conducted in both Baling and Pengkalan Hulu have confirmed that no such cable car project exists,' he said, according to Malay Mail. Police could take action under existing laws if such content caused public alarm or disrupted order, he added.
The Independent
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Malaysian couple travels across country for cable car ride – only to find out it was AI-generated
An elderly Malaysian couple reportedly travelled more than 370km from Kuala Lumpur to enjoy a cable car ride they had seen online, only to realise upon arrival that the video was generated through artificial intelligence (AI). The couple travelled to Pengkalan Hulu in the western state of Perak last month to enjoy the joyride, according to a viral post on the social media platform Threads, reported by several local media outlets. In a post shared by a hotel employee in Gerik, Perak, named Daya on 30 June, she recalled that the couple allegedly asked her if she had visited the cable car in Kuak Hulu. The couple told her they had seen the cable car in a video featured during a news segment of a local channel. In the AI-generated video, a woman with a mic introduced the "Kuak Skyride" – a purported scenic cable car ride in the quiet town of Kuak Hulu. The video showed people forming queues outside a ticketing booth, while tourists clicked photos of the attraction. The AI-generated video showed the "reporter" interviewing visitors, including tourists from Thailand, and having a luxurious meal. The cable car journey, against the picturesque mountains, culminates at a deer petting zoo in the AI-generated video. "I was so shocked... I explained to the auntie that the video was (made by AI) and not real,' the hotel worker wrote in a post. 'The auntie then asked 'Why would anyone want to lie? There was even a reporter (in the video)',' the employee added. The elderly woman said she did not come across comments under the video to indicate that it was fake, and expressed their wish to sue the journalist. However, the employee said she had to remind the woman that the journalist in the video also did not exist. When asked why they did not check with their children before visiting, the couple said they were embarrassed. "Please, all of you diligently ask your parents who are traveling, ask where you are going from KL [Kuala Lumpur] to Perak," the employee added in her post. The viral AI video has prompted authorities to issue clarifications, stating that such a cable car project does not exist in Perak. 'Of course, it doesn't exist... but I admit, it was exciting to watch. We were entertained, even if it was just AI-generated content," Sinar Harian newspaper quoted Baling district officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahaya as saying. 'Who knows, maybe one day it could become a reality. After all, Baling and Pengkalan Hulu do have mountains and scenic views that are suitable and beautiful," he said. Baling's acting district police chief Ahmad Salimi Md Ali cautioned the public against sharing content on social media before verifying. 'To date, we have not received any reports involving losses, fraud or public concern related to the viral AI-generated video. 'Checks conducted in both Baling and Pengkalan Hulu have confirmed that no such cable car project exists,' he said, according to Malay Mail. Police could take action under existing laws if such content caused public alarm or disrupted order, he added.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Elderly couple identified in Barrhaven murder-suicide
Ottawa police say the elderly couple found dead in their Barrhaven home early Tuesday morning died in a murder-suicide. On Tuesday afternoon, police identified the couple as Kurt Theoret, 84, and Virginia Theoret, 82. A police spokesperson said Kurt Theoret shot his wife and called 911 before taking his own life. Police said officers arrived at the home shortly after 1:00 a.m. where they found the bodies inside. Paramedics told CBC they were called to the residence around 1:05 a.m. and declared the man and woman dead at the scene. Police said this is Ottawa's 12th homicide of the year. The couple has owned the residence at 25 Pheasant Run Dr. since 1984 when they acquired the property for $134,000, according to property records. The home is near the intersection of Cedarview and Fallowfield roads, about 17 kilometres southwest of downtown Ottawa. Couple was 'just inseparable' Sophie Hawkins, who lives next door to the home where the bodies were found, said she'd often see the elderly couple who lived there enjoying the sun with their garage door open. The man took good care of his garden and home and was often out mowing their front lawn, she said. "They were always together, never apart. They did everything together," Hawkins said. "The only thing different I saw this week was I saw him leave in the car by himself. Usually they're just inseparable." Hawkins said the woman used a cane and was not as mobile as the man. She said she was awoken just after 1 a.m. by emergency crews on her street. "There was at least 15 cop cars, two ambulances pulled in.... We saw officers all over the place," Hawkins said. "It's just very strange for this street because it's a very quiet neighborhood." Deji Orija, who lives a few doors down and didn't know the homeowners well, said his wife saw a police vehicle parked outside their house this morning and found out what had happened from another neighbour. "It's actually shocking because this is a very quiet neighborhood," Orija said. Hawkins said she, too, is in "absolute shock." "I'm disturbed and my stomach hurts. I'm sad. I don't know what happened," she said.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Man, woman found dead in Barrhaven home
A man and woman were found dead in a Barrhaven home early Tuesday morning, according to Ottawa police. Police said in a news release they were called to the home on Pheasant Run Drive around 1:00 a.m. where they found the bodies inside. They did not say who placed the call. Paramedics told CBC they were called to the residence around 1:05 a.m. and declared the man and woman dead at the scene. Homicide investigators are not looking for suspects and do not believe there's any danger to the public, police said. Police said they have not been able to contact relatives of the deceased and are currently withholding their names. The scene is in a residential area near the intersection of Cedarview and Fallowfield roads, about 17 kilometres southwest of downtown Ottawa. Couple was 'just inseparable' Sophie Hawkins, who lives next door to the home where the bodies were found, said she'd often see the elderly couple who lived there enjoying the sun with their garage door open. The man took good care of his garden and home and was often out mowing their front lawn, she said. "They were always together, never apart. They did everything together," Hawkins said. "The only thing different I saw this week was I saw him leave in the car by himself. Usually they're just inseparable." Hawkins said the woman used a cane and was not as mobile as the man. She said she was awoken just after 1 a.m. by emergency crews on her street. "There was at least 15 cop cars, two ambulances pulled in.... We saw officers all over the place," Hawkins said. "It's just very strange for this street because it's a very quiet neighborhood." Deji Orija, who lives a few doors down and didn't know the homeowners well, said his wife saw a police vehicle parked outside their house this morning and found out what had happened from another neighbour. "It's actually shocking because this is a very quiet neighborhood," Orija said. Hawkins said she, too, is in "absolute shock."
