National Business

TORONTO — Economists say the work stoppage that began last night at Canada's two major railways will have a significant effect on the country's economy. Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.

WINNIPEG — Manitobans will have access to free prescription birth control starting Oct. 1. The NDP government says that's the date it will fulfil a promise it made in last year's election campaign.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes ended a four-month slide in July as easing mortgage rates and a pickup in properties on the market encouraged home shoppers. Existing home sales rose 1.

Slightly more Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but the number of claims remains at healthy levels. Jobless claims rose by 4,000 to 232,000 for the week of Aug. 17, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

It's an attractive proposition — being able to work from home and earn commission on sales, with the flexibility to work as little or as much as you want.

PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — The Italian coast guard said Thursday the body of British tech magnate Mike Lynch is among those recovered off the coast of Sicily from the wreckage of a superyacht whose builders had called it unsinkable.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose modestly last week, but the level of claims remains at healthy levels. Jobless claims rose by 4,000 to 232,000 for the week of Aug. 17, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A French destroyer rescued 29 mariners from an oil tanker that came under repeated attack in the Red Sea, officials said Thursday, while also destroying a bomb-carrying drone boat in the area.

Loblaw is piloting a new ultra-discount grocery store in Ontario that promises to deliver even lower prices by stripping away even more frills. The first three No Name stores will open in September in Windsor, St.

TORONTO (AP) — Both of Canada’s major freight railroads have come to a full stop because of a contract dispute with their workers, an impasse that could bring significant economic harm to businesses and consumers in Canada and the U.S.