EARTHQUAKE

Canadian industries are operating at a production capacity that is approaching pre-recession levels and the housing market remains strong, according to data on Thursday that offered the prospect of steady, if slower, economic growth.

Canadian commercial lending growth accelerated in the third quarter, showing smaller businesses expanded even as Europe's deepening debt crisis rattled investors worldwide, according to a PayNet Inc report.

As New Year's Eve 2011 approaches, one haunting thought comes to many minds - December 21, 2012. On this date, the Maya calendar comes to a halt; and many are predicting it will be the end of days.

Economic growth across the world will slow in 2012 due to the problematic combination of private-sector deleveraging, public-sector austerity and the lack of confidence in political leaders' ability to navigate these situations according to IHS, a leading macro-economic consultancy.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook the South Pacific Island nation of Papua New Guinea for several minutes Wednesday, according to reports, because the country lies on Ring of Fire, which is an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim.

Chrysler and Hyundai led the way for strong automotive sales in the United States in October, as sales continue to rebound from recession slumps, according to analysis from the Great American Group released Monday.

Canada posted an unexpected trade deficit in October, reflecting economic problems in the United States and Europe and paving the way for lower growth in the fourth quarter, Statistics Canada data indicated on Friday.

A strong magnitude-6.5 earthquake rocked Mexico Saturday night, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake is believed to have killed at least two people, Reuters reported.

A powerful magnitude-6.7 earthquake shook Mexico on Saturday, knocking out lights in parts of the capital and sending people rushing into the streets.

It's a city nestled into the cracks of danger -- a community curled up at the foot of beautiful yet perilous mountain peaks. But with all its natural threats, this South American jewel is beloved to those who inhabit it.

An Indian state official reassured residents Tuesday that the recently-attacked 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam is safe and will not become harmed by the latest surge of violence.

Meiji Holdings Co.'s shares have plummeted following the discovery of radiation in its baby formula this week, which added to concerns about baby-food contamination nine months after an earthquake and tsunami hit the nation.

Twitter has released a list of Hot Topics for 2011; according to its data, Hollywood actors Charlie Sheen and the late Elizabeth Taylor were among the top-trending actors for the year.

For instance, many among Facebook's 800 million users were interested in a dog mourning the death of a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan than they were in stories about troops being pulled out of Afghanistan. Anyway, here is the list from Facebook of its 40 most shared articles of 2011.

The mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., bin Laden managed to hide out for almost a decade despite the world's most aggressive global manhunt and a $25 million reward for information leading to his capture or killing. On May 1, U.S. President Barack Obama decided to send a small U.S. force into a compound where Obama was believed to be hiding in Pakistan. Osama bin Laden was killed in the raid, and after DNA confirmation was buried at sea. Obama announced bin Laden's killing i...

Apple's iPhone edged past major news events, celebrities and pop stars as the top searched term on the Web in 2011, according to Yahoo.

The Nikkei average extended gains to log its biggest weekly advance in two years on Friday, though the mood was far from upbeat given uncertainty over whether Europe will next week manage to cobble together steps to counter the debt crisis there.

The Nikkei average edged up Friday, with investors focused on whether the benchmark can hold above its 25-day moving average ahead of crucial U.S. employment data later in the day.

Tours to Chernobyl, erupting African volcanoes, and earthquake-ravaged cities highlight a bizarre trend of disaster tourism in 2011.

Apple's iPhone edged past major news events, celebrities and pop stars as the top searched term on the Web in 2011, according to Yahoo!

Maruti Suzuki, India's top car maker, said sales in November fell 18.5 percent, as the troubled carmaker recovered, partially, from a 53 percent fall in October.