National Business

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose by 61,000 last week to 719,000, signalling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more businesses reopen, vaccines are increasingly administered and federal aid

Canopy Growth Corp. has purchased AV Cannabis Inc. in a bid to build more brand loyalty with customers. The Smiths Falls, Ont.

New Mexico is joining a wave of states that are legalizing recreational marijuana as its Democrat-dominated Legislature sent a package of cannabis bills Wednesday to a supportive governor.

A batch of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine failed quality standards and can’t be used, the drug giant said Wednesday. The drugmaker didn’t say how many doses were lost, and it wasn’t clear how the problem would impact future deliveries.

Microsoft won a nearly $22 billion contract to supply U.S. Army combat troops with its augmented reality headsets. Microsoft and the Army separately announced the deal Wednesday.

TORONTO — A planned takeover of Shaw Communications' Freedom Mobile banner by Rogers would undermine nearly 15 years of government policy supporting strong competitors to the country's three biggest wireless carriers, Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladea

CALGARY — Shareholders owning more than 95 per cent of the stock in Arc Resources Ltd. have approved its merger with fellow Calgary-based producer Seven Generations Energy Ltd. to create Canada's sixth largest oil and gas company.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (18,700.67, down 4.89 points.) Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Industrials. Up seven cents, or 7.8 per cent, to 97 cents on 20.

NEW YORK — Paul Simon is the latest icon to sell his rich catalogue of songs.

TORONTO — A resurgence in the tech sector helped power Canada's main stock index to its fourth-straight quarterly gain despite dipping for the day. The S&P/TSX composite index lost 4.89 points to 18,700.