National Business

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A scientist has determined that the strange white blobs puzzling Newfoundland beachcombers are made of a plastic commonly found in adhesives, but the origin of the mysterious goo is still unknown.

TORONTO — Sun Life Financial Inc. says market gains helped it reach an all-time high for assets under management in the third quarter, even as it continues to struggle with investors pulling out funds.

SEATTLE (AP) — Factory workers at Boeing voted to accept a contract offer and end their strike after more than seven weeks, clearing the way for the aerospace giant to resume production of its bestselling airliner and generate much-needed cash.

NEW YORK (AP) — Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, the co-founder of The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement chain, a billionaire philanthropist, and a big Republican donor, has died. He was 95.

OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada considered cutting its key interest rate by just a quarter of a percentage point last month, but opted to take a larger step in the face of a weakening economy and falling inflation.

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservatives promised on Tuesday to introduce a universal shingles vaccine program for people 65 and older if re-elected Nov. 26, the latest in a series of targeted health announcements.

OTTAWA — Oil and gas producers in Canada will be required to cut greenhouse gas emissions by about one-third over the next eight years under new regulations published Monday.

TORONTO — A "difficult" economic environment took a bite out of Restaurant Brands International Inc.

OTTAWA — Canada's merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $1.3 billion in September as imports fell more than exports, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. The result compared with a revised deficit of $1.5 billion for August.

Aircraft assembly workers at Boeing factories near Seattle and elsewhere voted to end a seven-week strike overnight.