National Business

HALIFAX — Health-care spending and disaster relief for extreme weather have helped push Nova Scotia's budget deficit to $402.7-million this fiscal year, an increase of $123.8 million from the figure forecast in the spring.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California fast food workers will be paid at least $20 per hour next year under a new law signed Thursday by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Artificial intelligence pioneer Yoshua Bengio is urging the tech industry to guard against a "race to the bottom" as it explores how AI could be used in areas like defence.

CAIRO (AP) — The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on a former Sudanese government minister and two companies tied to the African country's paramilitary force that is locked in monthslong fighting with the Sudanese army.

MONTREAL — As higher inflation and interest rates continue to strain consumer pocketbooks, air travel may feel increasingly out of reach.

EDMONTON — Shares of Aurora Cannabis Inc. were down more than 10 per cent after the cannabis company announced plans to raise $33.8 million in a share offering.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the number of job vacancies in July fell 5.8 per cent to their lowest level since May 2021.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.1% annual pace from April through June, extending its sturdy performance in the face of higher interest rates, the government said Thursday, leaving its previous estimate unchanged.

U.S. applications for unemployment benefits inched up modestly this week after reaching their lowest level in eight months the previous week, as the labor market continues to defy the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes meant to cool it.

BALTIMORE (AP) — A man wanted in the killing of a Baltimore tech entrepreneur has been arrested, police said early Thursday.