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Trump’s tariff time bomb threatens to blow up transatlantic trade

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

BRUSSELS — The next big transatlantic trade fight is primed to explode. Negotiators from Brussels and Washington are scrambling to solve a five-year dispute over steel and aluminum dating back to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to slap tariffs on European imports. They have until October to get a deal but are still so far apart that European officials now fear the chances of an agreement are slim. Without a deal, both sides could reimpose billions of dollars worth of trade tariffs on each other’s goods — potentially spreading well beyond steel to hit products including French wines, U.S. rum, vodka and denim jeans.While U.S. negotiators are still hopeful that an agreement can be reached in time, the political fallout of failure for President Joe Biden would be serious, with U.S. exports facing a hit just ahead of his potential re-election battle in 2024. More broadly, another breakdown in trade relations between Europe and the United States would heap furthe...

In The News for April 6 : How did Canada’s job market fare last month?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of April 6 …What we are watching in Canada …Statistics Canada is set to release March employment data this morning. The labour force survey will provide an update on how the labour market is faring amid high interest rates. After posting strong job gains over the last several months, economists are not expecting a significant change in employment in March.Both TD and CIBC are forecasting the unemployment rate ticked slightly higher to 5.1 per cent, up from five per cent in February.The Canadian economy is expected to slow down significantly this year, but so far, the labour market has shown no signs of weakness.The Bank of Canada, which is preoccupied with getting inflation down, is hoping to see easing in the labour market over the coming months.—Also this …Church bells are to ring today in Humboldt at t...

Recall issued for President’s Choice brand Chopped Sesame Wonton Salad Kit

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for President’s Choice brand Chopped Sesame Wonton Salad Kit because the product contains multiple ingredients not declared on the label.The agency says the kit contains mustard, egg and milk that are not listed in the product’s ingredient list.The salad kits were sold in 347 gram packages, with a best before date of April 9, 2023.The kits were distributed throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.There have been no reports of any illnesses linked to the product.Customers are being told to either throw the kits out or return the product to where it was purchased.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2023.The Canadian Press

Humboldt holds tribute five years after deadly bus crash

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

HUMBOLDT, SASKATCHEWAN — Church bells are to ring today in Humboldt at the same time as the deadly bus crash brought unimaginable tragedy to the small Saskatchewan city five years ago.The bells at St. Augustine Church are to toll 29 times — one for each person who was on the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos on April 6, 2018. Sixteen people died and 13 were injured after a transport truck went through a stop sign and into the path of a bus carrying the Saskatchewan junior hockey team.Celeste Leray-Leicht, who is part of the planning committee, said she feels better any time she can honour her son. Jacob Leicht was 19 years old when he was killed in the crash.“He’s part of everything we say and do and guiding us along the way,” Leray-Leicht said.For the anniversary, the city and members of the Broncos families have organized a tribute service at the Elgar Petersen Arena for people who wish to pay their respects. The rink is the home of the Broncos and is filled with memen...

Once-popular rural Quebec road for asylum seekers quiets down after U.S.-Canada deal

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

MONTREAL — About 12 hours after the closure of a rural southern Quebec road used by thousands of asylum seekers to enter Canada from the United States, Evelyne Bouchard witnessed RCMP agents escort a family of four people off her property. Bouchard, whose farm is located about two kilometres from the forested pathway known as Roxham Road, says she is used to seeing police around her home; at times, she has found clothing and unknown footprints in the snow on her Hemmingford, Que., property.In a recent interview, she said it was upsetting to see people being taken away so soon after the Canada-United States immigration deal closed Roxham Road to most would-be refugees.“It’s that contrast,” she said. “This is like my happy place — my home. I love this place, and to think that someone in that same kind of physical space is feeling afraid and vulnerable and is possibly in danger is just completely heartbreaking.”Officials say the massive wave of would-be re...

Fierce storm system leaves more than a million without power in Quebec and Ontario

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

A fierce storm system that brought thunder, lightning and freezing rain to parts of Quebec and Ontario has more than a million hydro customers still in the dark.Much of Quebec remains under a freezing rain warning, and Hydro-Quebec said as of 3:45 a.m. EST, power outages affected nearly 1.1 million customers.Montreal authorities reported numerous calls for downed trees, while Transport Quebec said weather conditions forced it to close the Victoria Bridge, which connects Montreal with its southern suburbs.Via Rail issued a travel advisory, saying power outages and track obstructions caused service delays and cancellations in the Montreal-Toronto Corridor.Across the border in Ontario, Hydro One reported nearly 119,000 customers were without power, with winter storm warnings in place for large sections of the province.Hydro Ottawa issued a statement late Wednesday saying crews paused restoration efforts overnight due to poor visibility and falling trees and branches on overhead wires r...

Statistics Canada to release March jobs report this morning

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada is set to release March employment data this morning. The labour force survey will provide an update on how the labour market is faring amid high interest rates. After posting strong job gains over the last several months, economists are not expecting a significant change in employment in March.Both TD and CIBC are forecasting the unemployment rate ticked slightly higher to 5.1 per cent, up from five per cent in February.The Canadian economy is expected to slow down significantly this year, but so far, the labour market has shown no signs of weakness.The Bank of Canada, which is preoccupied with getting inflation down, is hoping to see easing in the labour market over the coming months.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2023.The Canadian Press

Daily horoscope for April 6, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution! Avoid shopping or major decisions after 8:30 a.m. EDT today (after 5:30 a.m. PDT). The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Thursday, April 6, 2023:You are charismatic. It’s important to surround yourself with positive-minded people, because you are very loyal to your friends. This is an excellent year. You will get recognized for past efforts. You might get a raise, a promotion, an award — some kind of acknowledgement. Bravo!ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★Do be careful, because this is a loosey-goosey day. The entire day is a Moon Alert, which means it’s a poor time to make important decisions or to shop for anything other than food or gas. Definitely do not commit to anything with a partner or close friend. Just coast. Tonight: Check your finances.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★This will be a challenging day at work for you because it is a Moon Alert all day. Expect shortages and a vague sense of confusion. Don’t volunteer for anything. Don’t...

Northern Ireland's 'peace babies' desperate for more progress

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

Bethany Moore (pictured) was six when she began to understand the "complexities" and "nuances" of Northern Ireland.Moore was born in December 1998. She is Northern Ireland's "peace baby", a generation that was born shortly after the Good Friday Agreement was signed. Moore is regarded as the embodiment of hope for the future of the region.Many people didn't know about the three decades long period of violence until they learned about it at school. Although they did not witness the bloodshed that their parents saw every day, there has been slow progress in many areas."I can recall my mummy telling me an anecdotal tale about being in grandma's and grandpa’s house, and they were discussing barricades. I asked my grandmother "granda, what's a barrier?" Moore, a Derry social policy and communications worker, spoke of the barriers that residents built to protect themselves."We are such a resilient group of people because we have to be. Retrospective is a good thing. We must look back at ou...

Miss Manners: The bride punished me because I didn’t grant her request

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:50:38 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Two dear friends married each other three months ago. I was invited to the wedding and so was my sister, along with our significant others. The wedding location was an hour’s drive away, so it made sense for us to carpool.The outdoor wedding — the ceremony itself, plus a celebration with ample food and beverage — was to start at 5 p.m. and end at 11 p.m. My sister is known for making brief appearances at parties, so the bride requested that my girlfriend and I drive separately. She explained that our attendance to the very end was important on her special day.As the bride knew, my girlfriend had recently had eye surgery, which made social events tiring. Against the bride’s request, we kept our plans to carpool and to leave before 11 p.m. We lasted until just after 9, at which time my girlfriend and my sister were exhausted, and we said farewell to the bride and groom.The bride seemed vexed by our “early” departure and asked me i...