National Business

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa’s $26 million contract to increase coronavirus testing was reached after the governor acted on a tip from actor Ashton Kutcher, a revelation that increased skepticism about the no-bid deal on Thursday. Critics of Gov.

WALLULA, Wash. — The Tyson Fresh Meats beef plant in eastern Washington state is temporarily shutting down to test all its workers for the coronavirus.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Ethanol producer ADM said Thursday it is idling production at its corn ethanol plants in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Columbus, Nebraska, furloughing 90 employees in each facility for at least four months.

TORONTO — Aecon Group Inc. beat expectations even though its net loss widened in the first quarter as revenues increased 15 per cent. The Toronto-based construction firm says it lost $11.

An April 13 article about a Ontario accountants offering services to some front-line health-care workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic was insufficiently clear about eligibility criteria.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (14,251.09, down 37.07 points.) Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE). Energy. Up 28 cents, or 6.83 per cent, to $4.38 on 15.5 million shares.

TORONTO — Trading on North American stock markets was volatile Thursday as the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spook investors. Markets moved higher in the morning after U.S.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is backing away from an earlier statement on flight vouchers, saying its initial position on airlines' right to issue travel credits instead of a refund for cancelled trips is "not a binding decision.

CALGARY — The owner of Canada's first diamond mine blames transportation and business disruptions caused by measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic for its decision to seek court protection from creditors.

CALGARY — Western Canada's oil price woes are often illustrated by references to the Western Canadian Select benchmark crude oil price.