National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of open jobs in the United States rose in July after three months of declines, a sign that employers are still urgently seeking workers despite slowing economic growth and high inflation.

TORONTO — Canadians eager to buy a home as the real estate market cools might find themselves considering micro-condos, but mortgage brokers say if you're thinking small, prepare for extra caveats when seeking financing.

OTTAWA — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., which has signed a deal to buy the Wilsons chain of gas stations in Atlantic Canada, has reached an agreement with the Competition Bureau to resolve its concerns over the acquisition.

MARKHAM, Ont. — Health officials in a southern Ontario municipality are investigating reports of several diners becoming seriously ill following a weekend meal at a restaurant in Markham.

OTTAWA — International Trade Minister Mary Ng says Canada is formally initiating a challenge of "unwarranted and unfair" U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber. The Canadian government filed notice of the challenge today under the U.S.

TORONTO — Bell Media is pushing back against accusations that CTV National News anchor Lisa LaFlamme was ousted because of her appearance and that it interfered in the network's coverage of the fallout.

WASHINGTON — For the second time in a year, the federal government is invoking a little-known 1977 energy treaty between Canada and the United States in an effort to prevent a federal court from shutting down the Line 5 pipeline.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (19,836.12, down 37.17 points.) Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX:ABX). Materials. Down 21 cents, or 1.04 per cent, to $19.96 on 26.

North American stock markets were down slightly Monday as investors continued to adjust to the idea that inflation — as well as the efforts by central banks to curb it — is not going to go away anytime soon.

NEW YORK — Stocks closed broadly lower on Wall Street Monday, adding to their hefty losses from last week when the Federal Reserve pledged to keep interest rates high as long as it takes to tame inflation. The S&P 500 fell 0.