National Business

NEW YORK — A staggering 16.8 million Americans lost their jobs in just three weeks in a measure of how fast the coronavirus has brought world economies to their knees.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (14,166.63, up 240.92 points.) Bombardier Inc. (TSX:BBD.B). Industrials. Unchanged at 47.5 cents on 24.7 million shares.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index ended its best week in more than a decade as a massive intervention by the U.S. Federal Reserve offset weak employment numbers on both sides of the border. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 240.

TORONTO — Canadian mining firm Alamos Gold Inc. reports that a group of armed robbers intercepted gold dore bars on the runway at its Mulatos mine site in Mexico, then staged a dramatic escape in a separate light aircraft.

MONTREAL — Quebec Premier Francois Legault said Thursday health risks for younger people returning to work are limited considering almost all Quebecers who have died of COVID-19 are over the age of 60.

VICTORIA — The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immediate impact on British Columbia's economy, resulting in 132,000 lost jobs last month and pushing the unemployment rate over seven per cent, Finance Minister Carole James said Thursday.

VANCOUVER — Forestry company Canfor Corp. is making additional production cuts due to the impact of COVID-19 on the price of lumber and demand.

THUNDER BAY, Ont. — Premier Gold Mines Ltd. says an offer made in March to buy Centerra Gold Inc.'s 50-per-cent stake in the Greenstone Gold Mines Partnership for US$205 million has not been accepted.

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says it will bring back nearly 6,400 laid-off employees to the payroll using Ottawa's emergency wage subsidy program as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to crater the airline sector.

Just as the coronavirus outbreak has boxed in society, it’s also squeezed high-flying tech companies reliant on people’s freedom to move around and get together.