National Business

HAVANA (AP) — A powerful explosion apparently caused by a natural gas leak killed at least 18 people, including a pregnant woman and a child, and injured dozens Friday when it blew away outer walls from a luxury hotel in the heart of Cuba’s capital.

MONTREAL — Bombardier Inc. says its board of directors has approved a 25-for-one consolidation of its class A and class B shares.

MONTREAL — SNC-Lavalin Inc. says it will pay Quebec nearly $30 million over three years to settle criminal bribery charges stemming from bridge work in Montreal.

TORONTO — Uber Technologies Inc. has fought off a unionization attempt from Toronto drivers for its premium Uber Black service with a settlement it signed with the private sector union trying to represent the workers.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,633.28, down 62.89 points.) Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB). Energy. Up $1.24, or 2.2 per cent, to $58.47 on 18.2 million shares.

TORONTO — North American stock markets ended a volatile week by losing more ground as healthy jobs reports reinforced that central banks would likely continue their sizable interest rate increases.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's president declared a state of emergency Friday giving him broad authority amid widespread public protests demanding his resignation over the country's worst economic crisis in recent memory.

CALGARY — When David Hyink checks on his barns each day, he does so with a sense of trepidation.

Telus Corp.

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a streak of solid hiring that has defied punishing inflation, chronic supply shortages, the Russian war against Ukraine and much higher borrowing costs.