National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — Slightly more Americans filed for jobless claims last week but the labor market remains one of strongest parts of the U.S. economy. Applications for unemployment benefits rose to 230,000 for the week ending Dec.

OTTAWA — The Liberal government is aiming to address evolving national security concerns by proposing several changes to Canada's investment screening law, including giving broader powers to the industry minister.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (19,973.22, down 16.95 points.) Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Down 27 cents, or 0.66 per cent, to $40.66 on 14.1 million shares.

Canada's main stock index closed in slight negative territory Wednesday, reversing the morning rally that came after the Bank of Canada announced plans to hike its key interest rate by half a percentage point.

TORONTO — Unifor says Sunwing is walking away from its plans to hire temporary foreign pilots ahead of the busy winter travel season.

NEW YORK — More weakness in tech stocks sent Wall Street mostly lower after another day of wobbly trading. The S&P 500 ended 0.2% lower Wednesday, its fifth straight loss. The Nasdaq, which is heavily weighted with tech companies, lost 0.5%.

MONTREAL — Dollarama Inc. recorded another strong quarter as inflationary pressures continue to drive consumer demand for consumable products at the discount retailer.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada hit a turning point on Wednesday when it announced a half percentage point interest rate increase while signalling it might be ready to pause its aggressive rate hike cycle.

BEIJING (AP) — China rolled back rules on isolating people with COVID-19 and dropped virus test requirements for some public places Wednesday in a dramatic change to a strategy that confined millions of people to their homes and sparked protests and

OTTAWA — First Nations chiefs from Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for their provinces to toss proposed legislation they say is inherently undemocratic, unconstitutional and infringes on Indigenous rights.