National Business

OTTAWA — Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.5 per cent last month, matching forecasters’ expectations as price pressures continue to retreat.

TORONTO — While interest rates have started to come down, borrowers, and lenders, are still feeling the strain. Just how much stress they're under will be a main focus for analysts as the big banks gear up to report third-quarter results.

EDMONTON — The head of the Alberta Teachers' Association says the rollout of new policies banning cellphone use in classrooms starting this fall has some teachers confused about how they'll be expected to follow them.

MONTREAL — A potential work stoppage at Canada's two major railways this week would harm small companies — from mom-and-pop shops to outfits with scores of workers — the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index climbed on Monday amid an “optimistic” late summer mood, while U.S. stock markets also gained. The S&P/TSX composite index rose 61.78 points to 23,116.39.

PORTICELLO, Sicily (AP) — British tech magnate Mike Lynch and five other people were missing after their luxury superyacht sank during a freak storm off Sicily early Monday, Italy’s civil protection and authorities said.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed higher, tacking on some more gains following Wall Street’s best week of the year. The S&P 500 rose 1% Monday, coming within 1.1% of the all-time high it reached last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.

General Motors says it is laying off some workers in Canada as part of a wider reduction in staff affecting more than 1,000 salaried employees worldwide.

Canada has an active history of rail strikes dating back to at least the early 20th century. Here are some of the most recent job actions at the country's two main freight railways, Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.

A dominating convenience store chain could land in Canadian hands after the owner of Circle K offered to buy one of the sector's biggest players, laying the groundwork to potentially unite them in a mammoth global retail business.