National Business

BERLIN — German health officials agreed Tuesday to restrict the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in people under 60, amid fresh concern over unusual blood clots reported in a tiny number of those who received the shots.

CALGARY — West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. says it has begun producing and shipping building panels from the Chambord, Que., oriented strand board (OSB) mill it inherited with its recent $4-billion all-stock takeover of rival Norbord Inc.

Ever since Jessye Grundlingh immigrated to Canada from South Africa a decade ago, restaurant work has been a major part of her professional career.

LONDON — Epic Games submitted a complaint Tuesday about Apple's alleged “monopolistic practices" to the U.K. competition watchdog, which is investigating the iPhone maker over concerns it has a dominant position in app distribution.

WASHINGTON — The head of the 190-nation International Monetary Fund says prospects for global growth have brightened since January, helped by a $1.9 trillion U.S. rescue package.

WASHINGTON — A Supreme Court case being argued this week amid March Madness could erode the difference between elite college athletes and professional sports stars.

WASHINGTON — U.S. consumer confidence surged in March to the highest reading in a year, helped by increased vaccinations and more government economic support. The Conference Board said Tuesday its consumer confidence index rose to 109.

TORONTO — The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board says it earned a total-fund net return of 8.6 per cent last year. The pension fund manager says net assets totalled $221.2 billion at Dec. 31, 2020, up $13.8 billion from a year earlier.

CALGARY — Obsidian Energy has ended its hostile takeover attempt for Bonterra Energy Corp. The company allowed its offer to buy Bonterra to expire on Monday.

TORONTO — Criminal charges have been laid against four companies and three individuals in connection with an alleged conspiracy to commit fraud and rig bids for condominium refurbishments in the Toronto area, the Competition Bureau of Canada announce