National Business

HONG KONG — Jimmy Lai, the 73-year-old Hong Kong media tycoon and advocate for democracy, was denied bail Saturday after being charged the previous day under the semi-autonomous Chinese territory's new national security law.

WASHINGTON — The worsening of the viral pandemic across the United States and Europe is threatening their economies and intensifying pressure on governments and central banks on both continents to intervene aggressively.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index closed lower Friday but still posted its sixth consecutive weekly gain on anticipation that vaccines will drive a rebound in the months to come.

WASHINGTON — White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on Friday pressed Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn to grant an emergency use authorization for Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by the end of the day or face possible firing, two adminis

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (17,548.92., down 44.42 points.) Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ). Up one cent, or 0.03 per cent, to 31.96 on 12.1 million shares.

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders reached a hard-fought deal Friday to cut the bloc’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by the end of the decade compared with 1990 levels, avoiding a hugely embarrassing deadlock ahead of a U.N.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been charged under the city’s national security law, amid a widening crackdown on dissent, according to local media reports.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is seeking input from the public about requests by airlines to weaken regulations that protect airline passengers.

VANCOUVER — Shares of Vancouver biotechnology company AbCellera Biologics hit the public market today, soaring about 170 per cent by midday after their debut.

OAKVILLE, Ont. — Siemens Canada says that it will pay out $3.4 million in one-time bonuses to Canadian workers in appreciation of their extra work during the COVID-19 pandemic.