Riots engulfed central Athens and at least 10 buildings went up in flames in mass protests late Sunday as lawmakers prepared for a parliamentary vote on harsh austerity measures aimed at keeping the country solvent.

Air Canada has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association, representing the airline's 74 flight dispatchers.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says Canadians should expect no changes to Old Age Security benefits before 2020 or 2025, and details about reform would be outlined over more than one budget.

The head of the Canadian Auto Workers is suggesting Caterpillar Inc. may not have followed foreign takeover rules in its 2010 purchase of the London, Ont., locomotive plant it has since shut down.

Statistics Canada says exports rose 4.5 per cent in December and imports edged up 0.8 per cent, pushing the country's trade surplus with the rest of the world to $2.7 billion from $1.2 billion in November.

After two days focused on economic deals, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday that his Chinese hosts should expect Canada to continue to advocate for human rights as well.

Canadian National Railway Co. said Friday it's cancelling almost $40 million in future pension and other benefit payments to retired CEO Hunter Harrison, who has said he wants to take the top job at rival Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

North American stock markets closed lower Friday on concerns about a messy default by Greece and worries about the pace of growth in China.

The value of the Canada Pension Plan fund rose by 9% in 2011 on improved returns from stocks and bonds.

PepsiCo Canada will cut up to 100 jobs in Canada as part of the parent company's restructuring.

The U.S. trade balance widened in December, as a strengthening American recovery outpaced global growth.

Telus says fourth-quarter profits increased 4.9 per cent as it signed up more subscribers to its wireless and TV services, but fell short of overall analyst expectations.

To discuss a Greek default openly and rationally would be to make a bad situation worse. But is it really better to keep the charade going? Don Pittis asks.

Portugal appears to have won the support of Germany's finance minister in its efforts to get some breathing space for the implementation of austerity and reform measures promised in return for last year's bailout.

Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin said two executives have hastily left the company amid reports of turmoil over the firm's involvement with Cyndy Vanier, a hired consultant now facing serious charges in Mexico.