National Business

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose for a third straight week to the highest closing since March on continuing gains from gold and the strength of the country's railways. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 98.98 points at 16,123.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Michigan sought a pledge Friday from Enbridge Inc. to cover costs that would arise if oil were to leak from its dual pipelines that extend across a channel linking two of the Great Lakes.

TORONTO — The Mobile Klinik chain of smartphone repair and resale shops plans to speed up its expansion with the help of its new owner, Telus Corp.

SEATTLE — A Seattle-based cruise line has sold four ships in its fleet as the coronavirus pandemic has halted operations and subsequently slowed businesses that rely on incoming traffic from the industry.

TORONTO — A group of Canadian artists, writers, technicians and performers is calling on Ottawa to guarantee a basic income for anyone in need.

MONTREAL — A takeover proposal from the Cirque du Soleil's secured creditors has been approved as the benchmark bid for a court-supervised auction of the insolvent entertainment company.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve has opened one of its lending programs to non-profit groups, including hospitals, educational institutions, and social service organizations.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Construction of U.S. homes jumped 17.3% in June as some states reopened, but the pace still lags last year after this spring's massive slowdown in building activity due to the coronavirus outbreak.

OTTAWA — Wholesale sales in Canada ticked higher in May after posting a record plunge in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Canada said Friday. The government agency said wholesale sales rose 5.7 per cent to $52.

TORONTO — Cineplex Inc. says it is laying off more than 130 workers as the company continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and a takeover deal that has turned litigious. The Toronto-based theatre chain says workers in Canada and the U.S.