March 28th, 2024

Business

Dollar Tree to close nearly 1,000 stores, posts surprise fourth quarter loss

By Michelle Chapman, The Associated Press on March 13th, 2024

Dollar Tree swung to a surprise fourth-quarter loss and will close nearly 1,000 stores after the discount retailer slashed the value of a rival chain it acquired almost a decade ago. Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar ... Read More »

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More than three quarters of Canadian workers want to leave their jobs: report

By The Canadian Press on March 13th, 2024

TORONTO – A new report says 71 per cent of Canadian workers want to leave their jobs this year and look for better opportunities. The report by recruitment firm Hays says employers need to brace themselves, as even more people say they would start looking for a new job if the economy and unemployment rate ... Read More »

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House passes bill that would lead to a TikTok ban if Chinese owner doesn’t sell. Senate path unclear

By Kevin Freking, The Associated Press on March 13th, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat. The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes ... Read More »

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Stock market today: Wall Street drifts near its records amid a worldwide market lull

By Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press on March 13th, 2024

NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks are drifting around their records on Wall Street, as a lull carries through financial markets worldwide. The S&P 500 was little changed in early trading Wednesday, a day after setting an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 31 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite was off ... Read More »

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Households owed $1.79 for every dollar of disposable income in Q4: Statistics Canada

By The Canadian Press on March 13th, 2024

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says households owed $1.79 in credit market debt on average for every dollar of disposable income in the fourth quarter. The federal agency says seasonally-adjusted household credit market debt as a proportion of household disposable income fell for the third quarter in row. The figure dipped to 178.7 per cent in ... Read More »

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Bell using aerial alarms to tackle copper theft, wants higher fines for such crimes

By The Canadian Press on March 13th, 2024

TORONTO – Bell says it has recently installed aerial alarms to prevent copper theft and vandalism to its infrastructure but wants governments to stiffen penalties for these crimes. The telecommunications company says the alarms are designed to alert local law enforcement as soon as an incident is detected so they can respond quick enough to ... Read More »

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Politicians want more competition but supply management still a ‘sacred cow’

By Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press on March 13th, 2024

OTTAWA – There aren’t many issues that garner support across party lines in Ottawa these days. But when it comes to the supply management system for egg, poultry and dairy products – the mechanism that sets prices for producers – all of Canada’s federal parties seem to see eye-to-eye. Political support for the controversial agricultural ... Read More »

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Japan’s first private-sector rocket launch attempt has exploded shortly after takeoff

By Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press on March 12th, 2024

TOKYO (AP) – A rocket touted as Japan’s first from the private sector to go into orbit exploded shortly after takeoff Wednesday, livestreamed video showed. Online video showed the rocket called Kairos blasting off from Wakayama Prefecture, central Japan, a mountainous area filled with trees, but exploding midair within seconds. A huge plume of smoke ... Read More »

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US lawmakers say TikTok won’t be banned if it finds a new owner. But that’s easier said than done

By Matt O'brien, The Associated Press on March 12th, 2024

U.S. lawmakers are threatening to ban TikTok but also say they are giving its Chinese parent company a chance to keep it running. The premise of a bipartisan bill headed for a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives is that TikTok fans in the U.S. can keep scrolling through their favorite social media app ... Read More »

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Deficit of $11 billion and other highlights from Quebec’s 2024-25 budget

By The Canadian Press on March 12th, 2024

Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard on Tuesday tabled his sixth budget, with big spending increases for health and education. Here are some highlights. – Deficit of $11 billion, which includes a $1.5-billion contingency reserve and a $2.2 billion payment into a fund dedicated to reducing debt. – Revenues of $150.3 billion, an increase of 2.4 ... Read More »

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