National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dropped last week, a sign that layoffs declined and the job market is improving.

TORONTO — TD Bank Group says Bob Dorrance will retire as chief executive of TD Securities in September, a move that will prompt several other executive changes. TD says Dorrance will retire effective Sept.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union slapped economic sanctions on Belarus on Thursday in response to what the bloc called the “escalation of serious human rights violations” including the detention of journalist Raman Pratasevich.

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England kept its main interest rate at the record low of 0.1% on Thursday and updated its growth predictions for the British economy following the lifting of many coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

MADRID (AP) — John McAfee, the creator of McAfee antivirus software, was found dead in his jail cell near Barcelona in an apparent suicide Wednesday, hours after a Spanish court approved his extradition to the United States to face tax charges punish

WATERLOO, ONTARIO — BlackBerry Ltd. shareholders gave tepid support to the company's executive compensation proposal. Nearly 59 per cent of shareholders supported the advisory vote on executive compensation while 41 per cent opposed.

HALIFAX — A meeting of the four Atlantic premiers Wednesday afternoon ended with officials from Nova Scotia set to consider a proposal from New Brunswick to end a blockade of the Trans-Canada Highway by protesters angry at Nova Scotia's COVID-19 trav

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,164.39, down 36.26 points.) Headwater Exploration Inc. (TSX:HWX). Energy. Up 15 cents, or 3.48 per cent, to $4.46 on 12.

The Canadian co-founder of Moderna says he's proud to have won a prestigious European science award that counts esteemed scientists such as Stephen Hawking among its previous recipients.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index suffered a small loss midweek as dismal retail sales numbers cast a shadow over what are typically quiet summer days for markets. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 36.26 points to 20,164.