National Business

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.

TORONTO — Sunwing Airlines Ltd. is offering vacant seats on its repatriation flights free of charge to any Canadians stranded in sun-kissed parts of the hemisphere, including to non-Sunwing customers.

LOS ANGELES — Sports are on hold, theatres are closed and so are amusement parks, a disaster-movie scenario that has stunned Hollywood.

TORONTO — Spin Master Corp. is the latest company to withdraw its financial outlook due to the impact of COVID-19.

TORONTO — The TMX Group Ltd. says it is considering potential relief measures including rule amendments to help clients face the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — A record surge in crude oil prices pushed Canada's main stock index higher after some recent extreme volatility in response to COVID-19.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The global COVID-19 pandemic is spelling trouble for Newfoundland and Labrador's oil and gas industry, adding to existing economic challenges in the cash-strapped province.