National Business

TORONTO — Some advocates are praising Ottawa's move to lengthen the amortization period on insured mortgages for certain homebuyers, but say expanding the policy to all Canadians would help make home ownership more affordable.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer Americans applied for jobless benefits last week as the labor market continues to thrive despite the Federal Reserve's efforts to cool it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a move that environmentalists called a betrayal, the Biden administration has approved construction of a deepwater oil export terminal off the Texas coast that would be the largest of its kind in the United States.

TORONTO — Postmedia Network Canada Corp. reported a net loss of $20.1 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $20.8 million a year earlier as its revenue fell 13 per cent.

VANCOUVER — Magna International Inc. has signed a strategic partnership with Sanctuary AI for the development of general purpose AI robots for use in the company's manufacturing operations.

OTTAWA — The parliamentary budget officer says Canada would need to build 1.3 million additional homes by 2030 to eliminate the country's housing gap.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank signalled Thursday it could cut interest rates at its next meeting in June, a big step as the rich world's central banks, including the U.S.

TORONTO — The drawers were overflowing with skin care products and makeup — three different blushes, many eyeshadows, a dozen different mascaras, foundation and serum samples sitting unused for years.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Real estate tycoon Truong My Lan was sentenced Thursday to death by a court in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam in the country's largest financial fraud case ever, state media Vietnam Net said.

TORONTO — Movie theatre company Cineplex Inc. says its box office revenue for March was up 46 per cent compared with a year ago, helped by "Dune: Part Two" and "Kung Fu Panda 4." The company says its box office revenue totalled $59.