The region has experienced an economic boom even as natural disasters have repeatedly struck, including a flood that killed more than 160 people on Wednesday.

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Nearly 4,000 customers in the Gary area remained without electricity almost two weeks after an intense storm. The utility has pledged to restore power by Tuesday.

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Osaka? Fukuoka? Sapporo? The race is on to be second to Tokyo — and to claim the prestige and money that could come with it.

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The 7.4-magnitude quake, which killed more than 100 people and damaged hundreds of buildings, was the strongest recorded in Colombia in a decade.

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