National Business

It was the early '90s and Laura Ashley flower prints were hot.

BURNABY, B.C. — Interfor Corp. says it will indefinitely curtail operations at its sawmills in Meldrim, Ga., and Summerville, S.C., due to weak lumber market conditions. The move will impact about 180 employees across both facilities.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are holding near their record levels following an eight-day winning streak. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%.

OTTAWA — Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.5 per cent last month, matching forecasters’ expectations as price pressures continue to retreat.

TORONTO — While interest rates have started to come down, borrowers, and lenders, are still feeling the strain. Just how much stress they're under will be a main focus for analysts as the big banks gear up to report third-quarter results.

EDMONTON — The head of the Alberta Teachers' Association says the rollout of new policies banning cellphone use in classrooms starting this fall has some teachers confused about how they'll be expected to follow them.

MONTREAL — A potential work stoppage at Canada's two major railways this week would harm small companies — from mom-and-pop shops to outfits with scores of workers — the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index climbed on Monday amid an “optimistic” late summer mood, while U.S. stock markets also gained. The S&P/TSX composite index rose 61.78 points to 23,116.39.

PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five other people were missing after their luxury superyacht sank during a freak storm off Sicily early Monday, Italy’s civil protection and authorities said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed higher, tacking on some more gains following Wall Street’s best week of the year. The S&P 500 rose 1% Monday, coming within 1.1% of the all-time high it reached last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.