National Business

TORONTO — Cannabis retailers High Tide Inc. and Meta Growth Corp. will merge in a new deal that they say will make them the largest legal pot shop network in Canada.

LONDON — Britain's government debt has breached the 2 trillion-pound ($2.6 trillion) mark for the first time after heavy borrowing to support the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — U.S. home sales rose an unprecedented 24.7% in July as extraordinarily low mortgage rates, and a desire for more space in the pandemic, fuel demand.

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced the discovery of a large natural gas reserves off the Black Sea coast, days after he promised “good news” that would usher in a “new era” for the energy dependent country.

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, was pulled from a luxury yacht and arrested Thursday on allegations that he and three associates ripped off donors trying to fund a southern border wall, making him the latest

TORONTO — One of Canada's largest independent internet companies is raising prices for the second time this year amid an ongoing battle over the wholesale prices charged by network owners.

An independent member of Canada's unelected Senate is advocating for an experimental basic income program at the provincial level, citing the complications to the employment insurance program after the end of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (16,606.76, up 29.38 points) Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Financial Services. Down 20 cents, or 1.01 per cent, to $19.56 on 14.

MONTREAL — Dollarama workers in Montreal are demanding higher wages and better working conditions after the retailer ended its temporary coronavirus pay boost earlier this month.

TORONTO — Major North American indexes advanced Thursday as news emerged about an upcoming COVID-19 vaccine trial.