National Business

TORONTO — Thomson Reuters says it has acquired Pondera Solutions, a technology company focused on detecting improper payments in health plans and government programs. Financial terms of the agreement were not immediately available.

WASHINGTON — By a sweeping bipartisan tally, the Senate on Wednesday approved a $100 billion-plus bill to boost testing for the coronavirus and guarantee paid sick leave for millions of workers hit by it — and President Donald Trump quickly signed it

MONTREAL — Porter Airlines has joined Transat AT Inc. in moving to suspend all flights while Air Canada is suspending most of its international and U.S. transborder flights in response to governments closing the border.

MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump on Wednesday invoked emergency authority to marshal industry to fight the coronavirus, as the economic fallout from the crisis mounted with word that nearly the entire U.S.

FRANKFURT — The European Central Bank is launching a new, expanded program to buy financial assets in a bid to calm markets as monetary authorities struggle to counter the devastation the virus outbreak is wreaking on the global economy.

NEW YORK — The number of physical books sold dropped 10 per cent from the previous week, the latest sign of the effect of the coronavirus on the publishing industry.

TORONTO — Canadian securities regulators say they are providing temporary relief from some required filings due to COVID-19.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. says its experience adjusting to hurricanes and floods positions it well to meet the challenges from COVID-19.

DETROIT — Concerns about the spreading coronavirus are forcing most of North America's auto plants to close, at least temporarily.

CALGARY — Oilsands giant Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. is joining a lengthening list of oilpatch players who are cutting 2020 capital spending due to the COVID-19 pandemic and plunging oil prices.