Target Canada announces first wave of store closures

Target says it will shut 16 stores across Canada next week, the first wave of store closures that will eliminate 17,000 jobs when all Target Canada stores are closed.

Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder said Friday that employees at each store will be notified about 10 days before the final day of business at their location.

Target Corp. announced in January that it would close all 133 Canadian stores, saying it would take years to turn a profit.

Target faced costly retail regulations in Canada. And it failed to win over Canadians who mostly live near the U.S. border, compare prices religiously and are willing to travel to save money.

Toyota signs landmark deal as global Olympics sponsor

The world’s biggest automaker is driving onto the world’s biggest sports stage.

Toyota Motor Corp. signed on as a global Olympics sponsor Friday in a landmark deal reportedly worth nearly $1 billion, becoming the first car company to join the International Olympic Committee’s top-tier marketing program.

The eight-year deal underlines Asia’s growing influence in the Olympics, bolsters the IOC’s long-term financial security and gives Toyota a worldwide platform that shuts out rival auto manufacturers.

Kia to recall some Soul SUVs; gas pedals can bend or break

Kia is recalling nearly 209,000 Soul SUVs because the gas pedals can bend or break.

The recall covers certain Soul and Soul electric vehicles from the 2014 and 2015 model years.

Study finds carbon emissions remained stable in 2014

Global energy emissions stayed stable last year even though the economy grew, according to data released Friday that could boost chances for a landmark climate accord later this year in Paris.

The rising use of renewable energy, particularly in China, played a role, the International Energy Agency said.

Over the past 50 years, the only other times that emissions stayed the same or shrank were during economic downturns – in the early 1980s, in 1992 and in 2009. The global economy grew last year by 3 percent.

– From news service reports