National Business

TORONTO — Improvement in the health of U.S. President Donald Trump and the growing hope of a fiscal stimulus deal gave North American stock markets a lift to start the week.

BOSTON — A former tech executive was sentenced Monday to one year of home confinement for paying $300,000 to bribe his son's way into Georgetown University as a tennis recruit, even though the son did not play tennis.

CALGARY — Pipeline and power company TC Energy Corp. is moving to buy out the other unitholders in TC PipeLines, LP, a U.S. master limited partnership it operates, for about US$1.48 billion (C$1.97 billion) in shares.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government is ordering Winnipeg-area bars and other licensed establishments to close earlier in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.

A rare white 102.39-carat oval diamond mined in Canada has been sold in Hong Kong for the equivalent of $20.9 million.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy faces risks from a potential resurgence of the coronavirus and from the failure so far of Congress to provide additional financial support for struggling individuals and businesses.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. services sector, where most Americans work, grew for a fourth consecutive month in September as the country attempts to re-open from earlier COVID-19 shutdowns.

CALGARY — Texas-based suitor Wilks Brothers, LLC, is sweetening its hostile takeover offer for Calgary-based Calfrac Well Services Ltd. by raising its bid to 25 cents per share from 18 cents. The bid carries a maximum cash payout of $21.

OTTAWA — As payment deferrals offered during the height of the pandemic come to an end and many Canadians remain out of work or underemployed, experts say if you think you need financial help, the sooner you seek it the better.

MONTREAL — Heroux-Devtek Inc. says it has won a multi-year contract with the Boeing Company to manufacture new actuation components for several types of commercial aircraft.