National Business

OTTAWA — The government announced on Friday that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program has been extended once again, and will now cover a portion of August’s rent for businesses that qualify.

TORONTO — The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board says condominium apartment sales in the region have fallen by half since last year, with the average selling price is up.

TORONTO — An appeals court has paved the way for NordStar Capital LP to purchase newspaper publisher Torstar Corp. for $60 million. Divisional Court Justice Michael Penny rejected a request today from rival bidder Canadian Modern Media Holdings Inc.

Toronto's main stock index shed more than 100 points to close the trading week as it was dragged down by the energy sector despite a boost to the price of oil. The S&P/TSX composite index fell 130.09 points to 16,169.

NEW YORK — Two American oil giants lost more than $9 billion in the second quarter as the pandemic kept households on lockdown, cutting a gaping hole into a once-thriving business as the need for oil diminished around the world. Exxon lost $1.

BRUSSELS — The European Commission has given its go-ahead to the acquisition of the rail business of Canadian engineering firm Bombardier by French train maker Alstom.

MONTREAL — The head of Air Canada on Friday accused the federal government of imposing "one of the most severe aviation lockdown regimes in the world" and called for lighter travel restrictions after the airline suffered a $1.

CALGARY — The CEO of Imperial Oil Ltd. says the company will be cautious in ramping up spending despite a recovery in fuel demand following the collapse earlier this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.

MONTREAL — Laura's Shoppe (P.V.) Inc. says it has started a restructuring process under creditor protection amid the unprecedented challenges the retail industry has faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler overcame coronavirus-related factory shutdowns to post losses that were not as bad as feared, and the company predicted improving conditions for the remainder of 2020. The Italian-American automaker lost just over $1.