National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy suffered an unexpected setback in July as hiring fell sharply and the unemployment rate rose for the fourth straight month with raised interest rates taking a toll on businesses and households.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks tumbled Friday on worries the U.S. economy could be cracking under the weight of high interest rates meant to whip inflation . The S&P 500 sank 1.8% for its first back-to-back losses of at least 1% since April.

CALGARY — A pair of law firms say an Alberta court has certified a class action alleging Uber Technologies Inc. has so much control over drivers and couriers in the province that it constitutes employment.

CALGARY — Imperial Oil Ltd. provided an update on what will be Canada's largest renewable diesel facility, saying construction of the complex near Edmonton is going well and should be completed sometime next spring.

CALGARY — Enbridge Inc. has raised its earnings forecast for the year in light of the successful completion of two previously announced purchases of U.S. gas utilities.

OTTAWA — Canada is a step closer to the final frontier after completing negotiations with the United States on an agreement with major implications for domestic space launches.

TORONTO — DesRosiers Automotive Consultants says July sales bounced back after a flat performance a month earlier when dealerships were dealing with a major software outage.

WASHINGTON — Ontario is selling itself as the nuclear North Star to guide the direction of American power as the United States looks to de-carbonize amid ever-increasing demand for energy. "It really underscores both Canada and the U.S.

VANCOUVER — Greater Vancouver Realtors says last month's home sales in the region dropped five per cent from a year ago, even as the number of new listings jumped 20 per cent.

EDMONTON — Alberta's seven-month moratorium on renewable power approvals has left a legacy of dozens of cancelled projects and legal uncertainty, says an analysis done on the one-year anniversary of the move.