National Business

WASHINGTON (AP) — The last-minute decision to send 3,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan to help partially evacuate the U.S. Embassy is calling into question whether President Joe Biden will meet his Aug. 31 deadline for fully withdrawing combat forces.

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The creators of the irreverent animated television series “South Park” are buying Casa Bonita, a quirky restaurant in suburban Denver that was featured on the show.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,518.07, down 2.53 points.) Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB). Energy. Down two cents, or 0.04 per cent, to $49.05 on 14.6 million shares.

TORONTO — North American markets were flat on a low volume trading day to close off the week, with one analyst said investors are waiting for a sense of direction.

CALGARY — Kansas City Southern has reaffirmed its support for Canadian National Railway Co.'s takeover bid, but said it may delay a shareholder vote on the deal next week if a U.S. regulator doesn't rule on a key voting trust soon.

Some private sector companies are implementing policies requiring Canadian employees to be fully vaccinated to visit the office or participate in staff meetups — and at least one expert expects more businesses to follow suit.

Canada's biggest bookstore chain is seeing rising sales thanks in part to an online community of TikTok users sharing videos reviewing and recommending books.

MONTREAL — Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it has raised an additional US$107.4 million in its share offering after the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full.

TORONTO — The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board says its net assets grew to top half a trillion dollars in its first quarter. CPP Investments says its net assets for the quarter ended June 30 totalled $519.6 billion, up from $497.

HAMILTON — Stelco Holdings Inc. has signed a deal to buy back about 13 per cent of its outstanding shares from one of its largest shareholders for $398 million. The steelmaker says it will buy back and cancel nearly 11.