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Mobile debit payments in stores jump 53 per cent over past year: Interac

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

TORONTO — Interac says mobile debit payments in stores jumped 53 per cent over the past 12 months, while e-commerce purchases rose 17 per cent.The survey shows the trends were driven by Gen Z, who also influenced their Gen X parents in adopting contactless payments via mobile phone.The survey shows eight in 10 (78 per cent) Gen Z adults pay using their smartphones while only 42 per cent of their parents’ generation relied on contactless payments, citing concerns about security. The national debit network says more than a billion debit mobile contactless and in-app transactions happened between Aug. 2022 and July 2023.William Keliehor, chief commercial officer at Interac, says debit remains central to the way Canadians choose to pay, even as it takes new forms.The survey also shows 63 per cent of Canadians expect it will soon be normal to not carry a physical wallet, knowing you can pay with a smartphone or smartwatch.The survey by Hill+Knowlton Strategies polled 1,502 Canadian...

NFL cornerback Caleb Farley leans on faith after dad’s death in explosion at North Carolina home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley said he took the first flight home Tuesday after learning of an explosion that destroyed the NFL player’s North Carolina home, killing his father and injuring a family friend. Farley said in an interview with WCNC-TV that he was in Nashville when a neighbor called and explained the situation.“It didn’t sound good from the start,” he said, and then officials found his father’s body.“I was really emotional earlier. I’ve kind of leveled off a little bit,” he said. “It’s just been a hectic roller coaster of a ride. Not only today, just for me the past five years, period. So I’ve been leaning on my faith and staying with the principles my mother and my father raised me with and that’s what’s been keeping me going.”Robert M. Farley, 61, was found dead in the debris of the Mooresville house, said Kent Greene, director of Iredell County Fire Services and Emergency Management. First responders arrived to find family friend Chr...

Ottawa looked at changes to land claims process, acknowledged issues: documents

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

OTTAWA — Newly released internal documents show Canada has been pondering a new way to settle First Nation land claims.In briefing materials prepared for the deputy minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the federal government also acknowledged issues with the current specific claims process.Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations by Canada, including the administration of land or other assets.The July 2022 documents say Canada was mulling over changes to language about land surrenders, noting some First Nations are unwilling to settle land claims if they have to relinquish their title.Instead, federal officials suggested the use of a “promissory estoppel,” which is essentially a promise that First Nations won’t reignite their cases after they’ve been settled.The records were released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2023.Th...

Metro workers picket two GTA distribution warehouses in fourth week of strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

TORONTO — Striking Metro workers in the Greater Toronto Area are now picketing two of the grocers’ distribution warehouses, a move the company says is preventing deliveries of fresh products to stores across the province. Local 414 president Gord Currie and national president Lana Payne met workers engaging in a secondary picket at warehouse in Toronto’s west end. More than 3,700 workers at 27 Metro stores across the GTA have been on strike since July 29 after rejecting a tentative agreement recommended by their bargaining committee. Metro spokeswoman Marie-Claude Bacon called on the workers to come back to the table, saying the warehouses supply all Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario and the pickets are preventing deliveries of fresh produce to all its stores.Unifor has said that the workers are asking for a fair share of the company’s rising profits, with many workers demanding their pandemic “hero pay” of $2 an hour be reinstated. Metro says the...

Report: La Russa back with White Sox as consultant, Getz expected to be named GM

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

CHICAGO — As the dust is still settling on the South Side, a new report says Hall of Famer Tony La Russa is back with club in a consultant role.According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, La Russa recently scouted the White Sox farm system and has been cleared to work again. Last season, the 78-year-old left the team in August to deal with health issues.Nightengale reported that first year manager Pedro Grifol is "safe" for now but is scheduled to meet with Jerry Reinsdorf and La Russa Wednesday night.Additionally, former White Sox infielder and current assistant general manager Chris Getz, 39, is reportedly expected to be named general manager. Nightengale said Dayton Moore, who is currently an advisor with the Rangers, could join him in the front office. White Sox: Ken Williams, Rick Hahn relieved of duties The team sent shockwaves around baseball Tuesday evening when Reinsdorf, known for his loyalty, fired longtime front office executives Kenny Williams and General Manager Rick H...

Netflix plans NASCAR docuseries backed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

(Motor Authority) -- NASCAR is about to get a Netflix documentary series similar to the “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series that has helped catapult F1’s popularity, particularly in the U.S.Announced by NASCAR and Netflix on Monday, the new series will air in early 2024 and focus on the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs.The first of the 2023 playoff races is scheduled for Sept. 3 at South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway.Five episodes, each spanning 45 minutes, is planned, and filming has already begun. The episodes will show drivers and team members, both during races and away from the track.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is among the list of executive producers, along with Ben Kennedy, Tim Clark, Matt Summers, and NASCAR Studios’ Tally Hair.The announcement of the new series follows the successful “Race for the Championship” series that aired in 2022 on the USA Network, and covered that year’s NASCAR season. Like the new Netflix series, which hasn’t been named, “Race for t...

Tracking the Tropics: Atlantic heating up ahead of peak hurricane season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It's been an active week in the tropics with a total of four named storms spread throughout the Atlantic basin. But as we near the peak of hurricane season, can we expect this trend to continue?The National Hurricane Center has been keeping tabs on four separate storm systems — The closest of which to the U.S. mainland is Tropical Storm Franklin.TS FranklinFranklin is expected to dump heavy rains across portions of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola Wednesday into Thursday as it pushes north toward Bermuda. The NHC says the heavy rainfall will bring the threat of flash floods and mudslides to the area.However, little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days as Franklin moves across Hispaniola. Some strengthening is possible Thursday into Friday as Franklin moves northeast over Atlantic waters.Former Tropical Storm EmilyThe remnants of former Tropical Storm Emily were last located several hundred miles northeast of the Leeward Islands.Some developmen...

Gas leak in Bastrop prompts evacuations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN New Today's top headlines for Aug. 23, 2023.BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Bastrop said a residential gas leak has led to evacuations.The city said a residential gas line was hit near the Wilson Street and Beech Street intersection.According to a statement, the Bastrop Fire Department arrived, and eight residents have been evacuated as of 11:15 a.m.The city said CenterPoint Energy was en route to the site of the leak.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum may miss GOP presidential debate after basketball injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

MILWAUKEE — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum may not be able to participate in Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate after he injured himself playing basketball and was taken to the emergency room.Campaign spokesman Lance Trover said Wednesday that it was “unclear if he will be able to stand at the debate.” He didn’t say what type of injury it was but said Burgum’s team would have more information later. The injury, which occurred Tuesday while Burgum was playing with campaign staff, was first reported by CNN.Missing the two-hour debate would be a major setback for Burgum, who is the least known of the eight candidates expected to take the stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. The first debate of the GOP primary, which early front-runner Donald Trump has said he’s skipping, is the best opportunity for Burgum to introduce himself to voters.Burgum, a wealthy businessman, qualified for the debate after offering $20 gift cards to donors who gave his campaign a $1 contribution — helpi...

Eastbound I-94 ramp closure in Washington County begins Monday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:24:09 GMT

The ramp from eastbound Interstate 94 to Minnesota 95/St. Croix Trail in Lakeland will close at 5 a.m. Monday and will remain closed until Sept. 18, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.The ramp closure is necessary to allow construction crews to pave the eastbound lanes of I-94 through this area, according to MnDOT.MnDOT crews are in the process of resurfacing the pavement and making other improvements to I-94 between Highway 120/Century Avenue and the St. Croix River. The work, which will be completed this fall, will improve safety, traffic flow and ride smoothness, MnDOT officials say.(Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Transportation)Motorists can bypass the ramp closure by using eastbound I-94, Manning Avenue, Hudson Road S. and Highway 95/St. Croix Trail.All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change.For more information, go to mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94oakdale-stcroix.Related ArticlesLocal News | ...