National Business

SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un admitted that his economic development plans have failed as he opened the nation’s first full ruling party congress in five years, state media reported Wednesday.

Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday as surging virus counts and China-U.S. tensions weighed on sentiment. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.8% after authorities arrested dozens of pro-democracy figures, including lawmakers.

GENEVA — The head of the World Health Organization said Tuesday that he is “disappointed” Chinese officials haven't finalized the permissions to allow a team of experts into China to examine the origins of COVID-19.

LONDON — Despite growing vaccine access, January is looking grim around the globe as the coronavirus resurges and reshapes itself from Britain to Japan to California, filling hospitals and threatening livelihoods anew as governments lock down busines

BILLINGS, Mont.

WASHINGTON — Top national security agencies confirmed Tuesday that Russia was likely responsible for a massive hack of U.S. government departments and corporations, rejecting President Donald Trump's claim that China might be to blame.

DETROIT — Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. fell 14.6% last year, but a second-half rebound from a coronavirus-related plunge in the spring kindled optimism for a recovery later this year. Automakers on Tuesday reported selling 14.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (17,682.51, up 154.74 points.) Cenovus Energy Inc. (TSX:CVE). Energy. Up 48 cents, or 6.07 per cent, to $8.39 on 32.8 million shares.

The ongoing controversy involving politicians who ignored travel warnings over the holidays holds important lessons for Canadian business executives, according to experts in public relations and organizational strategy.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose to its highest level since February as the energy sector was powered by oil prices surging to a 10-month high. The key commodity sector climbed 7.