Target settles Canadian trademark fight

Target Corp (NYSE:TGT - News) said on Wednesday that it had settled a dispute over naming and branding rights in Canada, smoothing the way for its first venture outside the United States.

The Minneapolis-based discount retailer said Fairweather Ltd, International Clothiers Inc and Les Ailes de la Mode Incorporées have agreed to stop using the Target mark by January 31, 2013. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

"This agreement will eliminate any potential confusion among Canadian consumers," said Target in a statement.

Court documents showed that the three related companies operate several "Target Apparel" discount clothing stores in Canada, featuring circular red logos similar to Target Corp's bull's-eye.

In June a Canadian court dismissed Target's request for a temporary injunction that would have stopped the Canadian companies from using the Target name and logo. The trademark dispute would have gone to trial late in 2012.

Target plans open 125 to 135 stores in Canada starting in March or April 2013, taking over leases from Hudson's Bay Co's Zellers discount banner.

Tackling Power Bills: Wildrose releases Commitment to Power Consumers

Before and after, the new Wildrose logo.

FORT SASKATCHEWAN, AB (January 31, 2012): Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith released the first Wildrose Commitment to Albertans today in Fort Saskatchewan detailing a plan that will help lower power bills for Alberta families and seniors.

The Wildrose will release five Commitments in key policy areas between now and the next provincial election.

The Wildrose Commitment to Power Consumers will help lower power bills for Alberta families by:

• Repealing Bill 50 so consumers will have their say on transmission lines
• Reducing transmission costs by having new generators pay a share of future line construction
• Creating a level playing field so local generators can compete with distant generators
• Reforming how electricity is bought and sold in the market
• Protecting consumers who choose the regulated rate by having short- and long-term pricing to allow for hedging
• Encouraging energy efficiency measures

“The electricity system we currently have in place just isn’t working for Alberta families. They’re paying more for electricity and nothing has been done to protect them,” Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith said. “Alberta families need a government that is on their side and working for them to help lower the cost of living. I’m confident our Commitment to Power Consumers will do that.”

Wildrose Candidate for Fort-Saskatchewan-Vegreville Shannon Stubbs said families in her constituency are looking for help in reducing their power bills, especially in the winter months. She says residents in the constituency have also had to deal with massive transmission lines cutting through their property.

“It’s a double-whammy for the residents of this community,” Stubbs said. “The policies and practices of this government when it comes to electricity have put a big dent in people’s pocketbooks. By reducing the burden of transmission costs for consumers, the Wildrose is putting families first.”

The Wildrose Commitment campaign sets out new and innovative policy initiatives aimed at the interests and concerns of hardworking Alberta families.

For more information on the Wildrose Commitment to Power Consumers, or other Wildrose policies, visitwww.wildrose.ca/commitments

The Wildrose stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.

Controversy over the pink ribbon

MONTREAL — The pink ribbon has long been synonymous with the fight against breast cancer.

A new NFB documentary is generating a great deal of debate, as Montreal-based director Lea Pool looks at the businesses behind the pink ribbon and shows how some of them use the cause as a marketing gimmick to boost sales.

"At one point I decided that the editorial point of view would be the ‘Inc.' What is the commercialization of the pink ribbon? How do companies use this ribbon to make profit," asked Pool, director of Pink Ribbons Inc.

A staunch supporter of pink ribbon events, Pool took a look at the business side of the costly research into breast cancer.

"These events that raise money are great, but you need to ask the questions: Where is this money going? Why are there so many products in October?" Pool's documentary found uneasy answers to those questions.

"I was really surprised to see how a little ribbon could hide so many secrets and so many lies. I think we need to reveal those lies," said Pool. "The companies that, on the one hand, make anti-cancer drugs, and on the other hand make pesticides are not OK."

The documentary opened to rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, but to millions of women around the world breast cancer is not an abstract concept. It's a reality.

"I look at it as quite a ride, a rollercoaster ride, emotionally as well—and yes, it's a battle," said Anna Copobianco, a three-time cancer survivor.

Copobianco's outlook on the pink ribbon is a positive one.

"I think it's a celebration of life, all that sea of pink, actually the first time I did the walk and saw all those pink t-shirts, it's was sort of like: these women are all survivors?"

Nathalie Le Prohon, executive director of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, heard of Pool's documentary and while she was supportive, she stressed that corporations do not tell her Foundation where to spend money.

"I think she makes good points, a few good points, in particular related to where the money goes related to the breast cancer cause," said Le Prohon.

The documentary will open in theatres Feb. 3, 2012.

More Than 70 Die In Egyptian Football Riot

At least 74 people have been killed and 1,000 injured after a football pitch invasion in Egypt, according to reports.

Clashes are said to have broken out as fans flooded the field seconds after the game in the northern coastal city of Port Said finished.

There were reports of rocks, bottles, flares and fireworks being thrown as politicians in the country criticised a lack of security at the match.

Doctors treating the victims said some had been stabbed to death. One player caught up in the rioting described it as "a war".

Troops have now been deployed on the streets and dozens of people have been arrested.

One player likened the scenes in Port Said to 'war'

Witnesses said most of the deaths involved people who had been trampled in the crush of panicked crowds, or who fell from terraces.

Deputy health minister Hesham Sheiha told state television: "This is unfortunate and deeply saddening. It is the biggest disaster in Egypt's soccer history."

Fans of the home team, Al Masry, swarmed the field after a rare 3-1 win against Al Ahly, one of Egypt's top teams.

Khalil Fahmy, Sky News Arabia correspondent, said police had been heavily criticised for doing nothing to intervene at the ground.

He said: "Many people were crying for help, for police or army intervention. They spent almost an hour without any army or police protection - this resulted in the bad injuries of hundreds of people.

"Most of the dead were killed by head injuries."

As details of the violence emerged, a football match in Cairo, 200km (125 miles) away, was called off in mourning and television footage showed sections of the stadium on fire. An announcer said the blazes had been started by fans angry over the cancellation.

Some players in Port Said were taken to a locker room for protection, reports said.

Military helicopters were reportedly sent in on an emergency evacuation to pull Al Ahly fans and players out of the confrontation amid fears they face attack.

A Port Said medic said some of the dead were security officers.

The country's football federation has now "indefinitely delayed" all premier league matches, the state prosecutor has called for an investigation and the country's parliament is to convene for an emergency meeting on Thursday.

There are suggestions of a political dimension to the incident, with Egyptian Islamists blaming supporters of Hosni Mubarak - who was ousted as president in Egypt revolution a year ago - for provoking the violence.

Albadry Farghali, a member of parliament for Port Said, accused officials and security forces of allowing the disaster, saying they still had ties to Mubarak's old regime.

He said: "The security forces did this or allowed it to happen. The men of Mubarak are still ruling. The head of the regime has fallen but all his men are still in their positions.

"Where is the security? Where is the government?"