National Business

Grocery stores are struggling with rising labour and product shortages that could threaten Canada's food security, experts say.

TORONTO — A new report is highlighting the need for more skills development in sustainable finance to meet the expected growth in demand as regulatory and stakeholder pressures increase.

Microsoft is paying nearly $70 billion for Activision Blizzard, the maker of “Candy Crush’’ and ‘’Call of Duty,’’ as it seeks an edge in the fiercely competitive businesses of mobile gaming and virtual-reality technology. The all-cash $68.

TORONTO — Bic is buying Inkbox, a Toronto-based temporary tattoo company, for US$65 million. The stationery and shaver giant says Inkbox will broaden its portfolio, which already includes BodyMark temporary tattoo markers.

OTTAWA — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts in December fell 22 per cent when compared with November.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Satellite photos obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday appear to show the aftermath of a fatal attack on an oil facility in the capital of the United Arab Emirates claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

MONTREAL — MTY Food Group Inc. is raising its quarterly dividend. The franchisor and operator of restaurants says it will now pay a quarterly dividend of 21 cents per share on Feb. 15 to shareholders of record on Feb. 3.

BRUSSELS (AP) — Roberta Metsola, a Christian Democrat from Malta, was elected president of the European Union’s parliament Tuesday, putting women in three of the four biggest jobs in the 27-nation bloc.

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong authorities said Tuesday that they will cull some 2,000 hamsters after several of the rodents tested positive for the virus at a pet store where an infected employee was working.

MILAN (AP) — K-way, the Franco-Italian brand synonymous with windbreakers, is stepping into luxury fashion with its first live runway show ever on the closing day of Milan Fashion Week.