National Business

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says wholesale sales fell 2.1 per cent to $70.1 billion in July, as building material and supplies sales plunged due to a drop in prices for softwood lumber.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits moved up last week to 332,000 from a pandemic low, a sign that the spread of the delta variant may have slightly increased layoffs.

OTTAWA — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts in August slowed compared with July as the rate of new home construction continued to slow from their highs earlier this year.

CALGARY — TC Energy Corp. says it has signed a deal to sell its remaining 15 per cent stake in the Northern Courier Pipeline to a partnership including Suncor Energy Inc. and eight Indigenous communities.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian court ruled Thursday that President Joko Widodo and six other top officials have neglected to fulfill citizens’ rights to clean air and ordered them to improve the poor air quality in the capital.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX’s first private flight streaked into orbit Wednesday night with two contest winners, a health care worker and their rich sponsor, the most ambitious leap yet in space tourism.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,693.79, up 140.54 points.) Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ). Energy. Up $1.35, or 3.13 per cent, to $44.51 on 30.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index had its best day in nearly two months as the heavyweight energy and financials sectors got lifts from rising crude oil prices and bond yields.

Wages are expected to go up in Canada next year, but workers may not feel the difference if salary gains are eroded by rising inflation, according to a new survey and data released Wednesday.

TORONTO — A protracted battle between rival Canadian railways for the acquisition of Kansas City Southern is over, with Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. coming out on top.