World datelines

Panama: Canal

PANAMA CITY — Panama has made $4.75 billion from the Panama Canal since taking over operations a decade ago, more than twice what it received in the 85 years the United States operated the waterway, the operating authority said Wednesday.

Thursday marks the 10th anniversary of the handover of the canal by the U.S., which opened the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1914. It is now run by an autonomous government agency, the Panama Canal Authority.

Antarctica: Trek

Seven women on a 562-mile Antarctic ski trek reached the South Pole Thursday, 38 days after they began their adventure to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth.

Skiing six to 10 hours a day, the Commonwealth Women's Antarctic Expedition trekked an average of 15 miles a day, each hauling a 176-pound sled of provisions and shelter to reach the United States-operated Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station science base.

Russia: Asteroid

MOSCOW — Russia's space agency chief said Wednesday a spacecraft may be dispatched to knock a large asteroid off course and reduce the chances of Earth impact, even though U.S. scientists say such a scenario is unlikely.

Anatoly Perminov told Golos Rossii radio the space agency would hold a meeting soon to assess a mission to Apophis. He said his agency might eventually invite NASA, the European Space Agency, the Chinese space agency and others to join the project.

Pakistan: Bombing

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility Wednesday for the devastating bombing of a religious procession in Karachi — a sign the militants may be escalating their war against the state with a rare attack in Pakistan's commercial hub.

Monday's bombing, which killed 44 people in the heart of the southern port city, underscored the group's ability to strike far from its sanctuary in the northwest and its determination to hit back at a government that has launched a military campaign against it.

Mexico: Drug slayings

CULIACAN — The bound, beaten bodies of 2 men were found hanging by their necks from a highway overpass in northern Mexico on Wednesday, along with a handwritten message from a drug cartel.