National Business

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the seventh straight week, a trend that gives prospective homebuyers more financial flexibility just as the spring homebuying season gets going. The rate fell to 6.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank has cut interest rates by another quarter percentage point to boost growth, lowering credit costs for consumers and businesses to support an economy that is struggling to grow - and could soon face

TORONTO — A stirring of unfamiliar patriotism in response to U.S. hostility is leading many Canadians to spend money closer to home, but on the question of investing more domestically, experts say there’s less reason to shift habits.

Applications for U.S. jobless benefits fell last week as the labor market remains sturdy ahead of an expected purge of federal government employees.

MONTREAL — Lightspeed Commerce Inc. has named veteran executive Manon Brouillette as its new executive chair of its board of directors, effective April 1.

Japan’s Seven & i, the parent company of the Japanese 7-Eleven convenience store chain, said Thursday it is selling its supermarket store assets to Bain Capital for about $5.4 billion.

REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Wednesday the province will stop purchasing American booze and work to stop buying other U.S. goods. His comments come one day after U.S.

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions Wednesday on booze, gambling machines and government purchasing to fight back against sweeping U.S. tariffs. She said there won’t be any change to oil and gas shipped south.

VICTORIA — British Columbia is making contingency plans to reduce its reliance on electricity from the United States after the start of the continental trade war.

WHITEHORSE — The Yukon government says it has been informed of an "unauthorized discharge of cyanide-impacted water" at the site of last summer's mine disaster north of Mayo.