National Business

CALGARY — Canada's oldest diamond mine is being shut down to protect workers and local communities from the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home sales jumped in February to their highest level in 13 years, a trend that will almost certainly be reversed as people stop showing their property out of fear of infection in the coronavirus outbreak.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.4 per cent to $52.0 billion in January, prior to the economic impact of unprecedented efforts to deal with the COVID-19 virus. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 1.

VANCOUVER — American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP is suspending its cash payouts to investors and moving to cut costs in an effort to preserve cash during the disruption caused by COVID-19.

VALCOURT, Que. — BRP Inc. beat profit expectations for its fourth quarter, but suspended its dividend in an effort to preserve its financial flexibility as it deals with the issues related COVID-19.

TORONTO — When it comes to her family's financial future, Kim Petrie says the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has erased any certainty about what lies ahead.

MONTREAL — A union official says Air Canada is laying off more than 5,000 flight attendants as the country's largest airline cuts routes and parks planes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BEIJING — Asian stock markets were mostly higher Friday after modest Wall Street gains on hopes government and central bank action can shield the world economy from a looming global recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

TORONTO — A local health unit reported a second death in Ontario linked to COVID-19 on Thursday, saying it may be a case of community transmission, as the premier strongly urged people to practise social distancing and self-isolation.

MONTREAL — Cirque du Soleil has announced company-wide layoffs as COVID-19 continues to hurt the economy.