NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missilefish food 。

In a somber and respectful homage, the final journey of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh commenced from the AICC headquarters on Saturday morning. Congress leaders, along with mourning supporters, gathered to pay their respects as Singh's flower-adorned cortege departed. The procession, marked by heartfelt chants and slogans, included numerous Congress members and admirers, as Singh's legacy as a reformist leader resonated through the crowd. Notably, Rahul Gandhi and Singh's family accompanied the procession, which retraced its path from Singh's residence to the party headquarters. The former Prime Minister, who played a pivotal role in India's economic transformation, passed away at the age of 92. As a tribute, a seven-day national mourning was declared, with the national flag flying at half-mast. His funeral rites at Nigambodh Ghat were set with full state honors. (With inputs from agencies.)Budding musician Cruz Beckham reportedly branded Jesus Christ a fellow nepo baby as he teased his music venture to fans on Christmas Day. The son of David and Victoria Beckham is said to have hit back at social media critics accusing him of benefiting from his parents' wealth and privilege by declaring: "Jesus is also a nepo baby." Cruz's alleged claim about the son of God came as he released a teaser video for his new song For Ya Love across his social media channels on Christmas Day. While some comment positively with quips like "not bad", others reportedly took aim at the 19-year-old. According to the MailOnline , one social media user taunted Cruz saying: "Bet he had mega money and training." Cruz is said to have replied: "Not at all. Just a guitar." According to the publication, Cruz came out with the comment about Jesus before deleting his post 12 hours later on Boxing Day. The Mirror has approached representatives for Cruz for comment. Cruz isnt the only Beckham offspring to be labelled a nepo baby. Big brother Brooklyn Beckham has been the target of some online banter over the years thanks to the eldest Beckham child struggling to stick at one career aspiration or ever work a proper full-time job. The 25-year-old was branded 'Nepo Spice' in January 2023 as he seemingly soft-launched another career venture as he discussed his love of fashion for a feature in Vogue alongside his wife, Nicola Peltz . The married couple invited fans to peep into their wardrobe, showcasing their sartorial preferences. Throughout the video clip shared by Vogue on TikTok Brooklyn recommends hunting for top-notch vintage denim in his tycoon father-in-law’s closet and expresses that a fitted shirt, knee-high boots, and matrix-inspired trench coat are what he loves most on Bates Motel actress Nicola. "I love high-waisted jeans," says the budding cook in a TikTok snippet, gesturing towards his wife’s midriff. "And I love like a nice tight shirt. I love the high boots - I think they're very sexy. Little Matrix jacket - love it! ". Vogue described the clip: "You could say that @brooklynbeckham loves @nicolapeltzbeckham's style. Like, really loves it. As seen on the latest episode of #vogue7days7looks." Underneath the video, comments swiftly accumulated, poking fun at Brooklyn's diverse array of past professional ambitions. "Is this Brooklyn Beckham... the Brooklyn Beckham, chef, photographer, stylist extraordinaire," one cheeky TikTok user quipped. "Dude is cosplaying a different career every other week," another declared, while a third joked: "He's doing a free trial of everything." The Hills and Celebrity Big Brother star Spencer Pratt sarcastically wrote: "Not just a chef and photographer he also celeb stylist." "Another career choice, makeup your mind Nepo Spice," another critic commented, with one TikTok user adding: "I hope the next episode will be Brooklyn cosplaying as plumber or surgeon!" Brooklyn has dabbled in various careers over the years, with cooking tutorials being his longest-lasting passion, but it seems he hasn't found his dream job yet. As the son of one of the world's most famous footballers, Brooklyn once tried his hand at the sport himself but was booted out of Arsenal's youth team in 2015 after failing to receive a scholarship to remain at the academy. He then went on to try his hand at modelling and appeared in a music video for The Vamps in 2015, before landing an amazing opportunity to work as an assistant to renowned fashion photographer Rankin. However, Brooklyn's assistant career was dogged by reports that crew that regularly work with Rankin could not believe how incapable he was, and his time at Parsons School of Design was cut short when he dropped out. Brooklyn faced a critical mauling for his 2017 photography book 'What I See', which also flopped in sales. However, Brooklyn has since shifted gears to cooking, a pursuit that has been met with ridicule online, but the devoted husband claims he "would literally die" for it. "I really enjoyed [photography] for a couple of years. I love taking pictures of my wife. I still have all my film cameras, but now it's just more of a fun thing to do. They were kind of all hobbies," he shared with Variety in 2022. Brooklyn revealed his newfound dedication: "I was still trying to find that one thing I would literally die for, and I found that with cooking," he said in his profile. Despite the mockery, Brooklyn sends well-wishes to his detractors: "I always wish them well, the haters," he stated. "I'm just doing what I love doing, staying healthy, being happy, and that's what it is. I hope they like my next video." 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In the wake of the landmark House v. NCAA settlement, the payment of student-athletes has gotten boatloads of attention. However, an often overlooked part of the agreement is roster limits and how that will impact teams and players. That will soon be evident, and that's why Nebraska's game against Wisconsin on Saturday won't just carry more meaning for the seniors on the roster but also the walk-ons. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

Openai’S O3 Reasoning Model Ignites AI Hype Among Top InfluencersThe Bruins knocked off South Carolina on Sunday to rise to the top of the polls and are out to a 5-0 start.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 28, 2024-- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the sale of Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTR) to Siemens for $113.00 per share in cash is fair to Altair shareholders. Halper Sadeh encourages Altair shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . The investigation concerns whether Altair and its board of directors violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Altair shareholders; (2) determine whether Siemens is underpaying for Altair; and (3) disclose all material information necessary for Altair shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration. On behalf of Altair shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228354674/en/ CONTACT: Halper Sadeh LLC One World Trade Center 85th Floor New York, NY 10007 Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: Halper Sadeh LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/28/2024 02:08 PM/DISC: 12/28/2024 02:08 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228354674/enSpecial counsel moves to drop federal cases against TrumpIt goes from bad to worse for ( ) shares. Prior to today, the ASX mining stock was down 60% since the start of the year. In early trade, the graphite producer's shares have sunk a further 32% to a multi-year low of 18 cents. Why are Syrah shares being sold off again? Investors have been rushing to the exits today after the company released an on its Balama project in Mozambique. As some readers may be aware, there has been major civil unrest in the East African country this year. So much so, ( ) was forced to for its Mozal Aluminium operation earlier this week. The civil unrest has been driven by the results of Mozambique's general election, with the ruling Frelimo party extending its majority across both Provincial and National levels of government. These results are being contested by opposition parties, citing allegations of electoral fraud and irregularities. Nationwide protests associated with the electoral process is causing widespread disruptions throughout Mozambique, including at several mining operations. What's happening at Syrah? Unfortunately for this ASX mining stock, it has also been caught up in the civil unrest, with protests around historical farmland resettlement grievances getting larger. This has led to its subsidiary Twigg Exploration and Mining declaring a force majeure event for the Balama Graphite Operation under the terms of its Mining Agreement with the Mozambique Government. Commenting on the situation the company said: With conditions continuing to deteriorate across Mozambique and further National Government opposition protest actions recently announced, Syrah is unable to undertake a production campaign at Balama in the December 2024 quarter that is required to replenish finished product inventory, and for customer sales. Consequently, force majeure is declared under the Mining Agreement. Syrah advised that it remains committed to achieving a positive resolution of the protest and addressing all legitimate resettlement concerns. However, it acknowledges that "resolution of the Balama protest will take time due to broader unrest and disruptions across Mozambique and the new Mozambique Government not being formed until January 2025." Big consequences While the failure to replenish inventory for customer sales is bad, it gets much worse for Syrah. It notes that these events have triggered events of default in its loans with the US government. It said: The impacts and duration of the protest actions have triggered events of default in the Company's loans with United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and United States Department of Energy (DOE). Syrah is engaging with DFC and DOE regarding these events of default. These certainly are difficult times for Syrah and its shares. Once again, this highlights the dangers of mining (and investing) outside tier-1 jurisdictions.

While homelessness across the United States increased by a dramatic 18% in 2024 compared to a year earlier, the Los Angeles region was among a handful of areas bucking the national trend — with a 5% drop in unsheltered homelessness over the same period, the first such drop in seven years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development reported Friday. HUD’s 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report: Part 1: Point-in-Time Estimates — an annual snapshot of the number of people in shelters, temporary housing or unsheltered settings — found more than 770,000 people nationwide were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2024, an 18% increase from 2023. According to HUD, the nationwide increase in homelessness in 2024 was tied to migration, displacement by natural disasters such as the Maui fire, and rising costs of housing. However, Los Angeles was among jurisdictions, including as Dallas and Chester County, Pennsylvania, marked by a decrease in people experiencing homelessness, HUD data found. Struggling with a high-cost rental market, Los Angeles increased the availability of housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, combining federal, state, county and city funds, according to the federal agency. “This crisis has been decades in the making, but after years of increases, we’ve turned the corner with the first decrease in street homelessness in years, by acting with innovative solutions that have resulted in thousands more people inside and more housing being built throughout the city,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “There’s still more work to do and this urgent work will continue in 2025.” The Los Angeles region, meanwhile, remained at the top continuums of care in California with people experiencing homelessness — an overall 71,201 homeless individuals, consisting of both sheltered and unsheltered, according to HUD data. Moreover, California, the state with the country’s highest population, also led the U.S. in the number of homeless people, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. The city and county of San Diego stood at 10,605, followed by San Jose/Santa Clara at 10,394; Oakland, Berkeley/Alameda County at 9,450; San Francisco at 8,323; and Santa Ana, Anaheim/Orange County at 7,322. Nationwide, family homelessness increased by 39% compared to 2023. The homelessness count was done during a period of significant increases in rental costs, as a result of the pandemic and nearly decades of under-building of housing, HUD said. The Maui fire, among other natural disasters, led to an increase in homelessness. In Hawaii, more than 5,200 people were sleeping in disaster emergency shelters on the night of the count. Meanwhile, veterans experiencing homelessness decreased nearly 8% nationwide from 35,574 in 2023 to 32,882 in 2024, according to HUD’s data. The figure for unsheltered veterans dropped nearly 11% — from 15,507 in 2023 to 13,851 in 2024. In the LA region, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s 2024 homelessness count showed a 22.9% decrease in veteran homelessness. Bass’ office cited several initiatives — in partnership with federal leaders — that led to this decline, such as boosting participation in a veteran housing voucher program, HUD-VASH and making changes policy changes regarding veterans’ benefits. “Los Angeles is one of the few communities in the country that saw a decrease in homelessness,” LAHSA CEO Va Lecia Adams Kellum said in a statement. “What’s happening in L.A. is working.” “Now is not the time to go backward,” she continued. “Our community must redouble its efforts in pursuing what we know works to bring all our unsheltered neighbors home.” According to the agency, its 2024 homelessness count found that majority, about 54%, of people who became homeless cited economic hardship as one of the main reasons they lost their home.Donald Hand Jr. scores 29 with 10 rebounds, Boston College beats Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70

Key posts 4.12am Teal MP says social media ban ‘makes zero difference’ to harmful algorithms 3.50am Social media giants attack ‘rushed’ consult for ban 3.44am Housing bill passes, but several bills remain on the brink 3.31am This morning’s headlines at a glance Hide key posts Posts area Latest 1 of 1 Latest posts Latest posts 4.12am Teal MP says social media ban ‘makes zero difference’ to harmful algorithms By Josefine Ganko An alternative proposal to the social media ban on children under 16 has been put forth by independent MP Zoe Daniel, who claims a ban doesn’t tackle the underlying issues that harm young people. Daniel’s bill would implement an overarching statutory duty of care on social media companies, with the goal being “safety by design”. “What you need to make that work is the companies to assess the risks, mitigate the risks, and be transparent about how they’re doing that,” Daniel told ABC News Breakfast. “The bill also has a provision to enable users to have control over the algorithm as exists overseas, particularly in the EU, enabling users to either reset or turn off their algorithm if they wish.” Independent MP Zoe Daniel. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Daniel says her work in the space began with tackling eating disorders, with a working group revealing the damage the algorithm was doing to sufferers by delivering them more content about eating disorders. She says the same trend is seen in a range of public health issues including gambling. Loading “The problem with the algorithm is that in many ways, it compounds negative behaviour, and particularly for young people - that can send young people into a real spiral,” Daniel said. “The legislation is based on international best practice, so in effect, it cherry-picks the best of legislation that is already in place in Europe and in the UK.” The Goldstein MP said the government have been responsive to her proposal, and flagged they would consider duty of care eventually. But Daniel hopes the government will consider her bill now. “I understand why they want to do [the under 16s social media ban] because it is a lever to pull now and it makes parents feel better, but it actually makes zero difference to what is happening on the platforms. It doesn’t manage the algorithm or force the platforms to do anything about what is happening in their environment.” 3.50am Social media giants attack ‘rushed’ consult for ban Social media companies, including Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta, have taken aim at the “rushed” consultation process for the ban on children under 16. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced the world-leading reform to parliament last Thursday, which she said would make the online environment better for young people. The consultation period for groups and individuals to make submissions closed on Friday. A Senate committee held a one-day hearing on Monday and is due to report back on Tuesday. In submissions to the inquiry, several groups, including social media companies, pointed to the short notice period. Loading Snap Inc. wrote that “the extremely compressed timeline” had allowed stakeholders little more than 24 hours to provide a response, which “severely” constrained thorough analysis and informed debate. X, formerly Twitter, also criticised the “unreasonably short time frame of one day”, writing that it has “serious concerns as to the lawfulness of the bill”. Meta, which owns Facebook, wrote that there had been “minimal consultation or engagement” and urged the government to wait for the results of the age assurance trial before progressing with the legislation. TikTok said that despite the “time-limited review”, there was a range of “serious, unresolved problems” that the government must clarify to ensure there wouldn’t be unintended consequences for all Australians. AAP 3.44am Housing bill passes, but several bills remain on the brink By David Crowe Labor has gained a crucial concession from the Greens after a year of dispute over a $5.5 billion plan to help young Australians buy their first homes, securing the policy with a stunning back down from the minor party. The decisions late on Monday delivered a big victory to the federal government in the final week of parliament for the year, but other bills are on the brink of defeat after Senate crossbenchers blasted Labor for trying to rush through changes on the environment, political donations and other issues. Read more about the status of the bills on the brink, including the social media ban, political donation changes and environmental reforms, here. Advertisement 3.31am This morning’s headlines at a glance By Josefine Ganko Good morning and welcome to the national news blog. My name is Josefine Ganko, and as always, I’ll lead our coverage for the first half of the day. It’s Tuesday, November 26. Here’s what’s making news this morning. Labor has gained a crucial concession from the Greens after a year of dispute over a $5.5 billion housing plan, but other bills are on the brink of defeat after Senate crossbenchers blasted Labor for trying to rush through changes on various issues. Social media companies including Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta have taken aim at the “rushed” consultation process for the proposal ban on children under 16. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has revealed the budget bottom line is getting worse ahead of the looming federal election, with warnings he faces a $27 billion blowout over the next four years. Overseas, Israel’s cabinet will meet on Tuesday to approve a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, with expectations that an accord could be announced “within hours”. In the US, Special Counsel Jack Smith asked a federal judge on Monday to dismiss the case accusing President-elect Donald Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election. Let’s get into it. Latest 1 of 1 Latest Most Viewed in National Loading7 Steps to Help Keep Your Small Business Cyber Safe This Holiday SeasonWest Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away win

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 28, 2024-- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating whether the sale of Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTR) to Siemens for $113.00 per share in cash is fair to Altair shareholders. Halper Sadeh encourages Altair shareholders to click here to learn more about their legal rights and options or contact Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . The investigation concerns whether Altair and its board of directors violated the federal securities laws and/or breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders by failing to, among other things: (1) obtain the best possible consideration for Altair shareholders; (2) determine whether Siemens is underpaying for Altair; and (3) disclose all material information necessary for Altair shareholders to adequately assess and value the merger consideration. On behalf of Altair shareholders, Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228354674/en/ CONTACT: Halper Sadeh LLC One World Trade Center 85th Floor New York, NY 10007 Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LEGAL SOURCE: Halper Sadeh LLC Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/28/2024 02:08 PM/DISC: 12/28/2024 02:08 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241228354674/enNEW 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 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 Gift cards have become a popular payment method for consumers during special occasions like birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. Prepaid cards, offering an amount of money for payment at various stores, websites, restaurants, and retail establishments, have gained traction among businesses and individuals alike. For the giver, convenience is a key factor, as digital gifting options allow for instant delivery. However, challenges persist. Consumers prefer tangible gifts, and younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, increasingly opt for cashless transactions. Retailers and brands, other businesses, and corporate clients use gift cards as rewards & incentives, employee engagement tools, and marketing strategies. Impacting factors include loyalty programs, customer behavior, internet penetration, and the growing popularity of mobile wallets and digital platforms. In the retail sectors, travel companies, OTT platforms like SonyLiv and Zee5, and food chains such as MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, Ola, Starbucks, Domino's, and Chaayos, have embraced gift cards as a strategic alliance to boost sales, cash flow, and customer loyalty. Digital services, including e-commerce marketplaces and spa services, have also seen in demand for digital gifting options. The challenges for market participants include tax-advantage cards, e-gifting, M commerce, and e-commerce, as well as the need for strategic alliances and the integration of digital cards, virtual cards, and mobile gift cards into their offerings. The impact of demetization, the Demonetization initiative, and FinTechs and PayTechs on the payment methods and customer journeys in physical retail spaces and online retail spaces continues to shape the gift card market. Gift cards offer an additional spending opportunity beyond the initial credit. However, they come with certain challenges. For instance, some cards have expiration dates, requiring users to utilize them within a specified timeframe. With busy schedules, this may result in unused funds or even the loss of the card. Additionally, gift cards are available in various denominations, leading to leftover balances after purchases. These unused amounts cannot be refunded or transferred, resulting in wasted funds. To mitigate these issues, consider digital gift cards or setting reminders for expiration dates. 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 1.2 Physical gift cards 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 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 Type E-gifts Cards Physical Gift Cards Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography North America Europe APAC Middle East And Africa South America 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: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioNT company’s substantial investment in capacity and jobs