National Business

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says the country posted a merchandise trade surplus of $3.2 billion in June as exports rose and imports fell. The result is a return to surplus after a $1.6 billion deficit in May. Total exports increased 8.

MONTREAL — Saputo Inc. is reporting lower profits in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 despite a 2.9 per cent increase in revenues as it continued to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

TORONTO — BCE Inc. reported a surge in second quarter profit Thursday and as it added new customers and saw improved results in segments affected by COVID-19.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The protégé of Iran’s supreme leader, Ebrahim Raisi, was sworn in as the country's new president during a ceremony in parliament on Thursday, an inauguration that completes hard-liners’ dominance of all branches of government in t

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar Airways says it has grounded 13 Airbus A350s over degradation of the plane's fuselage. Qatar Airways made the announcement on Thursday, further escalating a monthslong dispute with the European airplane maker.

TORONTO — Manulife Financial Corp. beat expectations as its net profit surged in the second quarter to $2.6 billion on continued growth in Asia and strong contributions from wealth and asset management.

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Maple Leaf Foods. Inc. says it expects its meat protein business margins and plant-based foods revenue growth to make a full recovery in the second half of 2021 as it reported a plunge in its second quarter net profit.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel on Thursday escalated its response to rocket attacks the previous day from Lebanon by launching rare airstrikes on its northern neighbor, the army and Lebanese officials said.

MONTREAL — Bombardier Inc. is raising its 2021 guidance after reporting improved financial results in the second quarter.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week by 14,000 to 385,000 more evidence that the economy and the job market are rebounding briskly from the coronavirus recession.