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Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers, accused of domestic violence, cleared to practice and playNEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global gift card market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.1 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 14.46% during the forecast period. Growth of E-commerce sector is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise of open-loop gift cards. However, additional loss of money in using gift cards poses a challenge.Key market players include Alighieri, Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., Card USA Inc, Duracard Plastic Cards, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Fiserv Inc., FleetCor Technologies Inc., Givex Corp., Hennes and Mauritz AB, InComm Payments, JIFITI PRODUCTS, Kindcard Inc., PineLabs Pvt. Ltd., Plastek Card Solutions Inc., Runa Network Ltd., Square Inc., Tele Pak Inc., TransGate Solutions, Village Roadshow Ltd., and Yiftee Inc.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Type (E-gifts cards and Physical gift cards), Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled Alighieri, Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., Card USA Inc, Duracard Plastic Cards, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Fiserv Inc., FleetCor Technologies Inc., Givex Corp., Hennes and Mauritz AB, InComm Payments, JIFITI PRODUCTS, Kindcard Inc., PineLabs Pvt. Ltd., Plastek Card Solutions Inc., Runa Network Ltd., Square Inc., Tele Pak Inc., TransGate Solutions, Village Roadshow Ltd., and Yiftee Inc. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Gift cards have become a popular trend in both physical and digital retail spaces. Prepaid cards loaded with a specific amount of money are widely used for various payments at stores, websites, restaurants, and even for experiences like travel and OTT platforms. Consumers love the convenience of gifting without the hassle of carrying cash or tangible gifts. Businesses, retailers or brands, other businesses, and corporate clients use gift cards as rewards & incentives for customer loyalty, employee engagement, and B2B sales. Digital gifting options have gained popularity among younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, who prefer cashless transactions and e-commerce activities. Impacting factors include loyalty programs, customer behavior, internet penetration, and the Demonetization and Digital India initiatives. Market participants include FinTechs, PayTechs, and mobile wallets, offering digital platforms for gifting, making the process more practical, customizable, and environmentally friendly. Strategic alliances between retailers, travel companies, and content platforms like SonyLiv, Zee5, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, Thomas Cook , Ola, Starbucks, Domino's, Chaayos, and E-Commerce Market have further boosted the trend. Gift cards serve as a marketing tool for brand owners, offering tax-advantage cards, e-gifting, M-commerce, and E-commerce options. An increasing trend among vendors is the launch of open-loop gift cards instead of closed-loop ones. Open-loop cards, which are not limited to a specific business and are branded with payment card processors like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, offer greater flexibility for customers. With acceptance almost everywhere, these cards have gained popularity. InComm Payments, a leading UK-based company, introduced Vanilla Go, a global open-loop gift card brand, several years ago. Continuous innovation in this segment is driving growth for vendors. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This gift card market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 E-gifts cards- E-gift cards have become a popular and convenient gifting solution in the retail sector, offering enhanced versatility and flexibility over traditional physical cards. These digital cards are instantly delivered via email, eliminating logistical barriers and serving as a suitable last-minute gifting option for consumers with busy lifestyles. The growth of e-gift cards is driven by the increasing digitalization of the retail industry and the convenience they offer to both senders and receivers. In the corporate sector, e-gift cards have gained traction as a preferred gifting option for employees, clients, and stakeholders, reducing the effort required to select personalized gifts. Vendors benefit from e-gift cards as they eliminate printing costs and can be easily integrated with their core products and services, increasing operational efficiencies. The launch of full-service gift card malls, such as TheGiftCardShop.com by InComm Payments, further simplifies the process of sending e-gifts. These factors are expected to fuel the growth of the e-gift card segment in the market during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Prepaid gift cards have revolutionized the way we express love, gratitude, and appreciation. These plastic or digital cards allow the recipient to use a specific amount of money for payment at various stores, websites, restaurants, and businesses. The convenience of gift cards makes them a popular choice for consumers, especially younger generations, who prefer e-gifting, M commerce, and e-commerce. Consumer behavior trends show an increasing preference for gift cards as they offer flexibility and convenience. Retail outlets, restaurants, and businesses use gift cards as a marketing tool to boost sales and customer loyalty. Strategic alliances between brands and card issuers further expand the reach of gift cards. Digital and virtual cards add to the convenience, allowing instant delivery and easy redemption. Mobile gift cards offer contactless payment options, making them a preferred choice during the pandemic. With the rise of e-commerce and m-commerce, gift cards have become an essential component of the retail landscape. Market Research Overview Prepaid gift cards have revolutionized the way we express love, gratitude, and appreciation. These cards allow the giver to load an amount of money onto a card, which can be used for payment at various stores, websites, restaurants, and businesses. The recipient enjoys the convenience of making cashless transactions for their purchases, especially during special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or other celebratory events. Digital gifting options have become increasingly popular among consumers, especially younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z. With the rise of mobile wallets and digital platforms, consumers can now send digital gift cards to their loved ones online. This trend is impacting various retail sectors, including travel companies, OTT platforms like SonyLiv and Zee5, food chains such as Starbucks, Domino's, and Chaayos, and e-commerce marketplaces. Factors like loyalty programs, customer behavior, and internet penetration are driving the growth of the gift card market. Brands and retailers use gift cards as a marketing tool to boost sales, customer engagement, and cash flow. Other businesses, including corporates and individual users, also use gift cards for B2B sales, employee engagement, and tax-advantage cards. The convenience, customizability, and practicality of gift cards make them a preferred choice for consumers. Moreover, the growing trend of e-gifting, M commerce, and strategic alliances between digital services and physical retail spaces are further expanding the market's reach. The impact of the Digital India initiative and demonetization on e-commerce activities have also contributed to the growth of the gift card market. FinTechs and PayTechs have entered the market, offering innovative payment methods and customer journeys, making it a dynamic and exciting space to watch. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gift-card-market-to-grow-by-usd-1-1-billion-2024-2028-as-ai-redefines-landscape-e-commerce-boosts-revenue---technavio-302314104.html SOURCE Technavio

VANCOUVER - A Federal Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a “deeply religious” British Columbia health executive who said he was wrongfully denied employment insurance after being fired three years ago for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Darold Sturgeon was fired as executive director of medical affairs for Interior Health in November 2021 after refusing to get the vaccine based on his Christian beliefs. He applied for employment insurance benefits but was denied due to being fired for “misconduct,” with appeals to two levels of the Social Security Tribunal also failing, leading him to seek a judicial review in Federal Court in August 2023. The ruling says Sturgeon believed the tribunal should have examined his assertion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the term “misconduct” did not apply to his case “because he was exercising his freedom of religion.” Justice William Pentney says “recent, abundant and unanimous case law” defined a specific and narrow role for the tribunal’s appeal divisions, focusing on an employee’s conduct, and not justification for and employer’s policies or compliance with the Charter. The ruling says Sturgeon’s appeal fell “outside the mandate” of the tribunal and he could have challenged Interior Health’s mandatory vaccine police “through other avenues.” These included advancing a Charter claim, lodging a wrongful dismissal suit or labour grievance, or complaining to the British Columbia Human Rights Commission. “The point is, there were other avenues available to pursue the Charter question; this decision does not cut off the only avenue of relief,” the ruling says. It added of Sturgeon, who represented himself, that “no one has doubted that he acted based on his understanding of his religious obligations,” and that he had “ably advanced his arguments.” “However, despite his sincere and thoughtful arguments, the binding jurisprudence requires that I find against him,” the ruling says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024.

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The Witcher 4 Is Now in "Full-Scale Production" - IGN Daily Fix In today's Daily Fix:CD Project's long-in-development The Witcher 4 game is now in "full-scale production," which the company has described as the most intense phase of game development. No other details around the game have been revealed, so we're left with just a couple of teaser images. CDPR's other projects, including another Witcher game and a new Cyberpunk entry, are still in development. In other news, Xbox is killing off the Xbox Avatars with the shutdown of the Avatar Editor app. Basically, no one was using them, and if you happened to have purchased any avatar accessories via the online store recently, you may be entitled to a refund. And finally, Amazon has released a teaser for the Concord-centric episode of Secret Level. The game may be no more, but it will live on in at least one more piece of media.

Lawmakers face deepfake threatsChad Chronister, Donald Trump’s pick to run the DEA, withdraws name from consideration

With so much of our lives spent in bed, we all must get a restful night’s sleep so we’re ready to start the day energized. While our bodies naturally cool down as we wind down, some sleep much colder than others. The right mattress can help cold sleepers stay warm and cozy throughout the night. Most mattresses target your sleep position and not your temperature, which makes shopping around tricky. This guide can help you understand what makes the right mattress for cold sleepers and everything you need to know to sleep well. Our top pick, the DreamCloud Premier Rest 16-inch Mattress , is designed to regulate temperature for a comfortable sleep. Cold sleepers should look to any mattress containing foam or latex, as these two materials trap heat more than other options, particularly breathable innerspring mattresses. While trapping in heat is a turnoff for some sleepers, those who are cold embrace the warmth kept within. Hybrid mattresses are increasingly popular. They feature a combination of foam or latex and innerspring layers to provide a balance of comfort and support. The foam or latex layers are typically the uppermost layers and help regulate temperature. How soft or firm the right mattress is for you is influenced mainly by your sleep position and size. Those who sleep on their stomach should avoid a soft mattress so that they don’t sink into the bed and strain their spine, but they should also avoid an extra-firm mattress that doesn’t support their hips and shoulders. Side sleepers should be cradled by a softer mattress with a bit of resistance for their shoulders and head. Back sleepers find firmer options most comfortable. Heavier individuals should avoid softer mattresses as they can sink in and not receive the proper support. Conversely, slighter persons may enjoy less firm mattresses since they can cradle them. For some people, gel foam is a much-desired feature; however, cold sleepers should avoid foam or hybrid mattresses incorporating gel foam. This is because the gel helps offset the heat trappings of foam by adding cooling technology, making the mattress a good choice for those who sleep warm, not cold. Most mattresses that include foam or latex are adept at lessening motion transfer, meaning that one person’s rustling or movement won’t disturb the other person in bed. What’s more, foam and latex options tend to be quiet. Foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are pricier, especially those with multiple layers. Cold sleepers can expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 for a queen-size mattress. A. Investing in a mattress protector is wise, especially for a densely made mattress that traps heat. A mattress protector prevents dust, mites, and, in some cases, liquids from penetrating the mattress, which can cause an odor and lead to slow deterioration. Rotate your mattress every few months so it’s used evenly, especially if you have foam layers that may conform to your body. A. Size and thickness don’t necessarily influence a mattress’s heat retention. Mattresses for cold sleepers come in all standard sizes. That choice should be made based on your size, available space and whether you sleep with a partner. Thickness ranges from around 6 to 14 inches. DreamCloud Premier Rest 16-inch Mattress – Luxury Hybrid Memory Foam What you need to know: This high-quality, thick hybrid mattress has foam layers on top for a warm, cozy night’s sleep. What you’ll love: The innerspring base supports all sleep positions while foam layers hold in warmth. There’s no motion transfer or noise when moving. What you should consider: It may be too firm for petite individuals. ZINUS 12 Inch Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress What you need to know: This mattress offers both comfort and support at a reasonable price. What you’ll love: It includes layers of low-toxin foam that help maintain the temperature as you sleep. It’s also infused with green tea extract, which helps to fight against unwelcome odors. What you should consider: While it does say it includes cooling gel, it’s still too hot for some people. GhostBed 3D Matrix Mattress What you need to know: This adaptable mattress adjusts to your shape and temperature to create the most comfortable sleeping experience. What you’ll love: It’s a hybrid mattress that cradles the body while still supporting the shoulders and hips and lacks motion transfer. The top layers provide warmth and comfort. What you should consider: It may be too soft for heavier individuals. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Michigan’s boys high school basketball season is in its second week, and at this point, there are more questions than answers for many of the teams getting their first games under their belts. New players, new roles and even some new coaches make it hard to predict how the 2024-25 season will play out, but we’re shedding some insight on the upcoming campaign by presenting 20 Grand Rapids-area players that could answer the call to greatness.ATLANTA — Kyrie Irving had 32 points, six assists and seven rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Atlanta Hawks 129-119 on Monday night without star Luka Doncic. Jaden Hardy had a season-high 23 points in his first start of the season for Dallas, which has won five of six. Naji Marshall and Spencer Dinwiddie had 22 points each. Irving had 10 points at halftime after being stifled by Hawks guard Dyson Daniels but heated up in the second half, including a stretch where he hit five consecutive field goals. Doncic missed his third straight game with a right wrist strain. Jalen Johnson had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who have lost four of five. Trae Young had 18 points and 16 assists. Takeaways Mavs: Dallas lost in overtime at Miami on Sunday night and is in the middle of a 15-game stretch that includes 11 away games. Klay Thompson (plantar fascia) and Quentin Grimes (illness) also sat. Still, they had enough to win without Doncic, who scored 73 points in the Mavs' lone visit to Atlanta last season. Hawks: After a series of early-season injuries, the Hawks had a full complement of players and two days of rest, but they still couldn't get past a team that was playing the second half of a back-to-back. Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) moves against Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Mike Stewart Key moment Irving scored 14 points in a three-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, during which the Mavs went from trailing 104-103 to leading 118-109. Key stat Marshall and Hardy, late additions to the starting lineup for the Mavs, combined for 45 points and nine rebounds. Up next The Hawks will face the NBA-best Cavaliers in their next two games — at Cleveland on Wednesday and at Atlanta on Friday. The Mavs will host the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

Player ratings: Inter 1-0 RB Leipzig – Dimarco excellent, solid defence againCheers and beers for Ruud van Nistelrooy as Leicester reign starts with winThere have been two controversial big hits at Scotiabank Arena in the past two games. One resulted in a suspension, with forward for his check on Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse last Saturday. The other was deemed clean. In , Leafs forward Matthew Knies exited and didn’t return after taking a high hit from Zach Whitecloud during the second period. The Vegas defenceman was initially assessed a major penalty, but it was downgraded to a minor following a review. Toronto’s Simon Benoit jumped into the post-hit scrum and received a double-minor, which sent the visitors to the man-advantage and the crowd into disarray. “I think his feet were off the ice when he hit Knies right to the head, so I just had to go in there and protect my teammate,” Benoit said. “It was just not a good hit ... I don’t think it was a good call.” Leafs head coach Craig Berube believes the play was an unfortunate outcome. “It’s a hockey hit. It’s been around forever,” Berube said. “It’s a clean hit. I think it’s a tough play. He’s in a vulnerable position a little bit ... It’s a tough play. It is, but it’s hockey, and that’s part of the game. “The league is going to make judgment calls on all types of different hits like that, so we just got to move on from it.” Knies met with trainers at the Ford Performance Centre on Thursday for a checkup. Berube noted that he’s progressing well but didn’t provide a timeline for his return. The 22-year-old forward joins a full of forwards. Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, David Kämpf, and Calle Järnkrok are on the injured list, and Reaves is serving a five-game suspension. Knies has been integral to the Leafs’ forward group this season. In 20 games, he’s scored eight goals, the third most on the team — only behind John Tavares and William Nylander. Berube has trusted him in all situations, as he’s averaged just under 18 minutes of ice time per night — the most of any forward outside of Mitch Marner, Matthews and Nylander. “He needs to get healthy, and we need him back as quickly as possible,” Berube said. After a , Matthews is progressing towards a return. The Leafs captain has missed seven consecutive games with an undisclosed upper-body injury and to seek treatment. However, he’s still listed as day-to-day. Earlier this week, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said he could be back in the lineup by month’s end. Matthews hasn’t appeared on the ice in nearly two weeks, but Berube said he might skate with the Leafs again this weekend. “He’s actually improving, and in a real good spot right now going forward,” he said. “We’re very happy with that.” Lorentz made his best on Wednesday when he led the Leafs with four blocked shots. cited the ex-Leaf, who is best known for sprawling to block three shots during a five-on-three penalty kill in 2011, as inspiration for his efforts. “It definitely didn’t feel too good, but it’s always worth it when the guys come through,” he said. Lorentz was hit three times in the same spot just above his ankle, two of which came in the same shift. His foot is swollen, but he still participated in Thursday’s on-ice session.

A supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party ISLAMABAD: Thousands of protesters demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan arrived at the heart of Pakistan’s heavily fortified capital, Islamabad, on Tuesday amid intense teargas shelling and use of rubber bullets by security forces, even as the govt invoked Article 245 of the constitution, which allows a civilian govt to call in the army to help it implement law and order. At least four security personnel and two civilians were killed in overnight clashes between security forces and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said three Rangers (paramilitary force) personnel and one police constable were killed by miscreants. The Imran-Khan-led PTI denied the allegations, saying security officials were crushed by police and Rangers’ vehicles speeding away from protesters. “Under Article 245, the Pakistan army has been called in, and orders have been issued to deal with the miscreants with an iron hand,” the state-run Radio Pakistan reported. “Clear orders have also been issued to shoot miscreants and troublemakers on sight,” it added. On Tuesday, PTI workers, many of them brandishing slingshots and sticks, engaged security personnel in combat as they attempted to make their way to D-Chowk (Democracy Chowk), a central square in front of parliament. Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was leading the protest with Ali Amin Gandapur, CM of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where PTI is in govt, accompanying her. Upon reaching Islamabad, Bibi vowed from atop a container truck: “I promise that I will be the last woman here, I will not leave D-Chowk without him (Imran). You also promise me that you will not leave until Khan comes out. If anyone tells you otherwise, it is a lie.” Gandapur urged protesters to camp at D-Chowk and not advance further into the Red Zone, housing important places, including the diplomatic enclave. Convoys of protesters had started making their way to Islamabad on Sunday from different parts of the country. Khan’s wife was leading the main convoy from the party’s stronghold of Peshawar. Islamabad has been in security lockdown since Sunday, with authorities closing all schools in the capital and the adjacent garrison city of Rawalpindi. Mobile and internet services have also been partially suspended in the twin cities. All roads and highways from nearby cities to the federal capital, as well as all routes that connect Islamabad and Rawalpindi, have been shut since last weekend. The PTI has been protesting for the release of political prisoners, including Khan. Its second demand is the reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment passed by parliament in Oct. The legislation has radically altered the judiciary by setting a fixed term of three years for the Supreme Court’s chief justice, who will now be selected by a parliamentary committee. It has also weakened the powers of the apex court, with constitutional cases and those involving fundamental rights to be heard by constitutional benches that will be constituted by panels dominated by govt representatives. The PTI’s last demand is for the return of its allegedly stolen Feb 8 general election mandate.Three longtime activists portrayed in newspaper reports as Superfund watchdogs decided recently to embrace the characterization. The trio who founded Butte Watchdogs for Social & Environmental Justice includes Sister Mary Jo McDonald, Evan Barrett and Mick Ringsak. Evan Barrett, one of three founders of Butte Watchdogs for Social & Environmental Justice, participates in an informational picket in Uptown Butte Thursday. The new group supports EPA dropping the lead action level in Butte but wants the pace of related cleanup to be much faster. A logo for the group displays a nun outfitted with boxing gloves and two canines that could be junkyard dogs. Barrett and other members of the new group paid a surprise visit Thursday afternoon to EPA’s two remedial project managers, Emma Rott and Molly Roby, as they held office hours on West Park Street in Uptown Butte. Barrett spoke on the sidewalk outside before heading inside. He said getting the lead out of residential properties in Butte should be fast tracked. “It endangers children,” he said. “It endangers everybody.” He was joined by about 15 allies holding signs reading, “Get the Lead Out Now!” In essence, the Butte Watchdogs group celebrates the EPA’s recent proposal to drop the action level for lead contamination in residential soils and interior dust in Butte from 1,200 parts per million to 175 ppm. It also supports expanding sampling and remediation to more neighborhoods — which could involve adding 7,253 homes. But the Butte Watchdogs group objects to the EPA’s timeline. Sampling and remediation could require 25 years, EPA estimates, considering expanded boundaries of the Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit, or BPSOU. Not acceptable, say the Watchdogs. Accelerate the pace, they say. Otherwise, more than two more decades will pass in Butte when children — who are especially vulnerable to negative health impacts from lead — will continue to be at risk. The Butte Watchdogs for Social & Environmental Justice held an informational picket Thursday afternoon in Uptown Butte that both supported EPA's proposed drop in the lead action level and encouraged the agency to accelerate the pace of cleanup. EPA has estimated that sampling about 640 more residences will require an additional 15 years. “While the exact number of properties requiring cleanup within the proposed BPSOU boundary expansion is unknown, the EPA expects that the cleanup could take an additional 25 years from today to complete,” EPA said in October. The 25 years would include the 15 for sampling, EPA says. On Thursday, Rott said the timeline springs from the pace of ongoing yard and attic sampling and remediation in Butte. She said the actual pace will likely be determined if the proposed change in the lead level is reflected in a Record of Decision amendment and the process then moves into enforcement negotiations with Atlantic Richfield/BP. Butte’s legacy of copper mining and smelting includes widespread contamination from lead and other heavy metals and arsenic. Butte became a federal Superfund site in 1987. Cleanup has proceeded slowly. Atlantic Richfield was deemed a responsible party under Superfund law for the remediation because it purchased the Anaconda Co., the original polluter, in 1977. Superfund watchdogs in Butte have long criticized the current lead action level in Butte, which is 1,200 ppm, as being too high. The Residential Metals Abatement Program samples residential yards and attic dust in Butte-Silver Bow County and conducts remediation where indicated. RMAP is funded through an agreement between Atlantic Richfield/BP and Butte-Silver Bow. The money is provided by Atlantic Richfield/BP and Butte-Silver Bow allocates the funding to the program annually. If the new lead action level is adopted, residential yards in Butte that were remediated to a higher level might need to be revisited. Supporters of Butte Watchdogs for Social & Environmental Justice participate Thursday afternoon in an informational picket in Uptown Butte and then talked to EPA officials about accelerating the pace of residential lead removal. Barrett and Erik Nylund, who participated in Thursday’s picket, have both said they’d like to see lead cleanup and remediation completed in less than 10 years. Nylund has cited other communities where residential lead sampling and remediation has happened much more quickly than it has in Butte. RMAP has completed 2,140 removal projects and 150 paint abatements in Butte-Silver Bow since the program and its predecessor started in 1995. Neither McDonald nor Ringsak attended the informational picket Thursday. McDonald issued a prepared statement. “The bottom line on the lead cleanup in Butte is that we want to see it done right and done quickly,” she said. The EPA will accept public comments about the proposed change in Butte’s lead action level through Feb. 14 at EPAButtePPcomments@epa.gov . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

KyKy Tandy scored a season-high 21 points that included a key 3-pointer in a late second-half surge as Florida Atlantic roared back to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Florida Atlantic (4-2) advances to play Drake in the semifinal round on Friday while the Cowboys square off against Miami in the consolation semifinal contest, also Friday. Oklahoma State led by as many as 10 points in the first half before securing a five-point advantage at halftime. The Owls surged back and moved in front with four and a half minutes to play. It was part of an 11-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tandy that made it 75-68 with 2:41 remaining. Ken Evans added 14 points for Florida Atlantic, with Leland Walker hitting for 13 and Tre Carroll scoring 11. The Owls went 35-of-49 from the free throw line as the teams combined for 56 fouls in the game, 33 by Oklahoma State. Khalil Brantley led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 16 points while Robert Jennings added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys, who hit one field goal over a 10-minute stretch of the second half while having three players foul out. The Owls were up by as many as seven points in the early minutes and by 13-10 after a layup by Carroll at the 11:32 mark of the first half. Oklahoma State leapfrogged to the front on Abou Ousmane's layup off a Brantley steal, fell behind again on a 3-pointer by Evans and then responded on a 3-pointer by Jennings to take a 17-16 lead. From there, the Cowboys stoked their advantage to double digits when Jamyron Keller canned a shot from beyond the arc with five minutes to play in the half. Florida Atlantic got a layup and a monster dunk from Matas Vokietaitis and a pair of free throws from Walker in a 6-2 run to end the half to pull within 39-34 at the break. Jennings and Ousmane tallied seven points apiece for Oklahoma State over the first 20 minutes, as the Cowboys led despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the half. Carroll and Vokietaitis scored seven points apiece to pace the Owls, who committed 11 turnovers that translated to seven points for Oklahoma State before halftime. --Field Level MediaSTATE COLLEGE — With 10 days before its College Football Playoff debut, Penn State got active on the transfer portal front on Wednesday. Looking to bolster their defensive line, the Nittany Lions offered Louisiana Tech defensive tackle David Blay out of the transfer portal. A native of Levittown, Blay was recently named First Team All-Conference USA after starting and playing in all 12 games at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs, and was one of only three Bulldogs’ defenders to start in all 12 games this season. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound lineman led La. Tech’s defensive front with 46 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries, and was best on the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Blay finished third in Conference USA in sacks and tied for third in TFLs. According to Pro Football Focus, Blay was credited with 12 QB pressures this season. According to reports, Penn State isn’t the only Big Ten team after Blay’s services, as Illinois hosted him on a visit Tuesday. With the departure of veteran defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon and the impending graduations of Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard, going after a player like Blay makes sense for Penn State. “We’re moving, and I’m pushing my staff to be very aggressive there,” Penn State coach James Franklin said Sunday. “Typically, when your season ends and you’re in that time getting ready for a bowl game, you have time to sit down with all of your players and find out what’s going on, who’s coming back, who’s considering going in their transfer portal, who is going in their transfer portal.” Franklin said it’s difficult to come up with a plan without knowing what the roster might look like in a year, but he asked his staff to be aggressive, make some decisions and make some moves.

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American and European stock markets mostly rose on Wednesday after inflation data cemented expectations that the US Federal Reserve will trim interest rates next month. While the Dow fell slightly, the other two major US indices advanced, led by the tech-rich Nasdaq, which piled on almost two percent to close above 20,000 points for the first time. The consumer price index (CPI) rose to 2.7 percent last month from a year ago, up slightly from 2.6 percent in October. "With the CPI numbers broadly in line, it is likely that the Fed will not be derailed and will cut rates again next week," Jochen Stanzl, chief market analyst at CMC Markets. "The data is not a showstopper for the current bull run on Wall Street," he added. Ahead of the data, investors priced in an 86 percent chance the Fed will cut interest rates next week by a quarter percentage point. That rose to more than 98 percent after the CPI data was published. Stocks in Paris and Frankfurt rose ahead of the European Central Bank's own interest rate announcement on Thursday, with analysts expecting another cut as it seeks to boost eurozone growth. Investors are also eyeing political developments in France, where officials said President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new prime minister "within 48 hours" as he seeks to end political deadlock following the ouster of Michel Barnier. In company news, shares in German retail giant Zalando shed more than four percent on Frankfurt's DAX index, after it acquired domestic rival About You in a deal worth around 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion). Shares in Zara owner Inditex slid more than six percent after a record quarterly profit for the group fell short of market estimates. Among US companies, Google parent Alphabet earned 5.5 percent as it announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date. That added to gains after Google also announced Tuesday details of a breakthrough quantum chip. Shares in Shanghai rose but Hong Kong gave up an early rally to end in the red. Traders were keeping tabs on China to see if it will announce further measures to support its struggling economy as leaders were to gather Wednesday for a conference to hammer out next year's agenda. President Xi Jinping and other top leaders on Monday announced their first major shift in policy for more than a decade, saying they would "implement a more active fiscal policy and an appropriately relaxed" strategy. Those remarks sparked hopes for more interest rate cuts and the freeing up of more cash for lending. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 44,148.56 (close) New York - S&P 500: UP 0.8 percent at 6,084.19 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 1.8 percent at 20,034.89 (close) London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 8,301.62 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 0.4 percent at 7,423.40 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.3 percent at 20,399.16 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: FLAT at 39,372.23 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.8 percent at 20,155.05 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 3,432.49 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0498 from $1.0527 on Tuesday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2752 from $1.2771 Dollar/yen: UP at 152.40 yen from 151.95 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.31 from 82.42 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.8 percent at $73.52 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 2.4 percent at $70.29 per barrel burs-jmb/mlm