TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index rose on Friday as mining and energy stocks firmed on higher commodity prices, while shares of its largest airline jumped after quarterly results were reported. The most influential movers on the index included Barrick Gold Inc , which rose 5.1 percent to C$23.15, and First Quantum Minerals Ltd , which advanced 13.5 percent to C$10.395. The materials group, which includes precious and base metals miners and fertilizer companies, added 3.5 percent. ...
The Canadian economy stalled in February after a strong start to the year, as activity in the manufacturing and natural resource sectors declined, data from Statistics Canada showed on Friday, suggesting that low oil prices continue to impede growth. Gross domestic product fell 0.1 percent in the month, as expected, after increasing for four months in a row. Activity in the manufacturing sector also pulled back after three strong months.
By Leah Schnurr and Mica Rosenberg OTTAWA/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Canada's top court ruled on Friday that the World Bank did not need to turn over documents sought in a case against former employees of SNC-Lavalin accused of bribery, finding the international organization had immunity from the request. The case has been closely watched given its implications for how the World Bank investigates corruption and its ability to protect whistleblowers. The Supreme Court of Canada overturned a lower court order from 2014 that said the World Bank should release its investigative files for judicial review that could be relevant to the defense.
By Michael Hirtzer CHICAGO (Reuters) - Quarterbacks went one-two at Thursday's NFL Draft as the Los Angeles Rams took Jared Goff with the first pick, and the Philadelphia Eagles followed suit by naming signal caller Carson Wentz with the second choice. It was the third time in the past five years that quarterbacks were taken with the first two picks of the National Football League Draft, a testament to the league's more wide open, pass-happy thrust with rules tailored to bolster scoring and foster player safety. For the Rams and their new quarterback it was a California dream come true.
(The Sports Xchange) - It took half an overtime to settle the back-and-forth playoff series opener between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. T.J. Oshie completed a hat-trick when he scored the game-winning goal at 9:33 of overtime and the Capitals defeated the Penguins 4-3 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semi-final. Oshie's wraparound attempt snuck under the pad of goaltender Matthew Murphy and survived a lengthy video review.
Top NFL draft prospect Laremy Tunsil tumbled down the list on Thursday before being selected by the Miami Dolphins with the 13th pick of the first round following a controversial video posted on his Twitter account. Just minutes before the National Football League Draft began, the powerful tackle from the University of Mississippi was shown wearing a gas mask and smoking something through a bong. The video was quickly deleted and Tunsil suspended his Twitter account.
Investigators are looking into whether Prince died from an overdose and whether a doctor was prescribing him drugs in the weeks before he was found dead at his home in suburban Minneapolis, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The official said Thursday that among the things investigators are looking at is whether a doctor was with Prince on a plane that made an emergency landing in Illinois less than a week before the star died. The law enforcement official has been briefed on the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
It's going to be fun and games for Alec Baldwin as he joins Steve Harvey and Michael Strahan for ABC's summer prime-time game-show block. ABC announced Thursday that Baldwin will be quizmaster for a revival of "Match Game." First aired a half-century ago, it's a panel game show that features two contestants who compete to match the answers from six celebrities in filling in a missing blank.
Comedian and actor Katt Williams was arrested after he threw a salt shaker at a restaurant manager, police in an Atlanta suburb said Thursday. Officers responded to a call of a fight at Spondivits restaurant just south of Atlanta a little after 10 p.m. Wednesday, East Point police Capt. Cliff Chandler said. The restaurant manager had a bloody cut on his lip, and he and other witnesses told officers it was Williams who injured him, Chandler said.