National Business

NEW YORK — The pandemic has proven there's no shortage of games to keep families, couples and kids amused. The classics are ever-present, but a range of new or off-the-beaten-track gift entries are available.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home construction rose a solid 1.9% in September after having fallen in the previous month, as home building continues as one of the bright spots of the economy.

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced charges Monday against Russian intelligence officers in cyberattacks that targeted a French presidential election, the Winter Olympics in South Korea and American businesses.

TORONTO — Ontario plans to expand the list of items accepted in blue boxes as it moves to standardize recycling programs across the province.

WINNIPEG — Manitoba's COVID-19 numbers have started to drop somewhat following a surge last week and after restrictions were imposed on restaurants and bars.

LONDON — Britain and the European Union edged toward resuming their troubled trade talks on Monday, after the bloc's chief negotiator said he was ready to “intensify” negotiations on the legal text of an agreement.

CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says it has secured an agreement with A.P. Moller-Maersk to move freight through the ports of Vancouver and Montreal.

Calgary-based Topaz Energy Corp. says it is pricing its initial public offering at the low end of the $13-to-$15 range it announced last month. The subsidiary of Calgary-based Tourmaline Oil Corp. says it expects gross proceeds of about $217.

TORONTO — North American stock markets started the trading week lower on continued uncertainty about U.S. politicians reaching a stimulus deal ahead of the approaching election.

NEW YORK — ConocoPhillips is buying shale producer Concho Resources in an all-stock deal valued at $9.7 billion, making it a major presence in the Permian Basin, the top-producing oil field in the U.S.