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By Donna Spencer The Canadian Press Fri., Dec. 14, 2018 CALGARY—The Calgary Flames bounced from humiliation into first place in their division in a few short weeks. Since an embarrassing 9-1 loss at home Oct. 25 to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flames have gone 15-5-2. A 32-point haul in that span is second only to the Tampa Bay Lightning (36). Giving up eight unanswered goals and getting booed at Scotiabank Saddledome is arguably the best thing that happened to the Flames in the first third of this season. “That was a long night,” head coach Bill Peters recalled Friday. “You never want go through that as a player, as a coach and as an organization and to go through it at home is even worse probably. “I think it was a real good wake-up call for our guys. I’d rather lose that game and go on a good positive streak than win and go 50-50, lose one and win one and lose one.” Article Continued Below Calgary (20-10-2) tops the … [Read more...] about Surging Calgary Flames use embarrassing loss as rallying point
China suspends tariff hikes on U.S. cars, auto parts
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By Joe McDonald The Associated Press Fri., Dec. 14, 2018 BEIJING—China announced a 90-day suspension on Friday of tariff hikes on U.S. cars, trucks and auto parts following its ceasefire in a trade battle with Washington that threatens global economic growth. The suspension is China’s first step in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Dec. 1 agreement to suspend U.S. tariff hikes for a similar 90-day period while the two sides negotiate over American complaints about Beijing’s technology policy and trade surplus. China has indicated it plans to move ahead with the talks despite strains over the arrest of a Chinese technology executive in Canada to face possible U.S. charges related to a violation of trade sanctions on Iran. Beijing will suspend a 25 per cent import charge on cars and trucks and a 5 per cent charge on auto parts, effective Jan. 1, the Finance Ministry announced. The announcement helped give substance to Trump’s … [Read more...] about China suspends tariff hikes on U.S. cars, auto parts
Love the clothes, hate the maker? How these 5 brands got the racist tag
You can love the cut and quality of a Hugo Boss blazer, or New Balance kicks, but the times you belong to require a little more discernment. One of the biggest modern dilemmas is how to separate politics from your favorite brands—it’s almost tantamount to asking if you can still love the work of a favorite director or actor even after they’ve been implicated in the #MeToo circus. Like sins, there are varying levels of offense—from brands that give their outright support to a political cause, or to brand hi-jacking, as in the case of a New Balance executive who was vocal in his support of Trump, intentionally or unintentionally co-opting the brand to serve like-minded Republicans. Below is a brief list of brands accused of being racist by players both big and small, from Jay-Z to you and me. 1. Hugo Boss Hugo Boss joined the Nazi party in 1931. The all-black SS uniform was produced by the Hugo Boss company, along with the brown SA Shirts and the uniforms … [Read more...] about Love the clothes, hate the maker? How these 5 brands got the racist tag
US sets new Mar 2 date for China tariff increases amid talks
WASHINGTON: The U.S. Trade Representative's office on Friday officially changed the scheduled date of a tariff rate increase on US$200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 12:01 a.m. EST (0501 GMT) on March 2, 2019 as the United States and China pursue talks on trade and intellectual property.The change was made in a Federal Register filing from a previously scheduled effective date of Jan. 1, 2019 for the increase to 25 percent from 10 percent.The notice does not affect the 25 percent tariff rate already in place on US$50 billion worth of Chinese technology items, including semiconductors, printed circuit boards and other electronic components, machinery and vehicles.The filing was added to documents associated with USTR's "Section 301" investigation into China's intellectual property practices, which has been the basis of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that led to tit-for-tat retaliation from Beijing.It attributed the change to new U.S.-Chinese engagement "with the goal of obtaining the … [Read more...] about US sets new Mar 2 date for China tariff increases amid talks
Apple strikes deal to produce new ‘Peanuts’ content
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By The Associated Press Fri., Dec. 14, 2018 LOS ANGELES—Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the “Peanuts” crew will have a new home on Apple’s streaming service. Apple has struck a deal with DHX Media to produce new “Peanuts” content. The global children’s content and brands company will develop and produce original programs for Apple including new series, specials and shorts based on the beloved characters. “Peanuts” was created by Charles M. Schulz in 1950. DHX will produce original short-form STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) content that will be exclusive to Apple, including astronaut Snoopy. Peanuts Worldwide and NASA recently signed a Space Act Agreement, designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students. Article Continued Below Read more: Opinion | Stephen Bede Scharper: Charlie Brown and the quandary of Christmas Good grief, Charlie Brown! … [Read more...] about Apple strikes deal to produce new ‘Peanuts’ content