BAGHDAD: Iraq Ministries Targeted in Car Bombings; Over 130 Dead

Iraq Ministries Targeted in Car Bombings; Over 130 Dead By ROD NORDLAND Published: October 25, 2009 BAGHDAD — A pair of suicide car bombs exploded almost simultaneously in downtown Baghdad on Sunday, targeting two government buildings and killing at least 136 people and wounding 520, according to the Ministry of the Interior. The official said the toll may rise even more. Ahmad Al-Rubaye/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images An Iraqi wept as he walked away from the Ministry of Justice after two suicide bombings on Sunday in Baghdad. Sabah Arar/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Smoke rose from a blast close to the Ministry of Justice in central Baghdad on Sunday. The blasts came just over two…

Earnings reports push Dow over 10,000 briefly

Picture By Sara Lepro, AP Business Writer NEW YORK — Surprisingly strong earnings reports from Intel and JPMorgan Chase sent stocks higher Wednesday, pushing the Dow Jones industrials average briefly over the 10,000 mark, a level not seen in a year. JPMorgan (JPM), the first major bank to report third-quarter earnings, stoked the market’s optimism as it handily beat Wall Street’s expectations, reporting a profit of $3.59 billion for the July-September period. However the bank also said loan losses are still high and are likely to remain so for some time. Intel (INTC) also beat analysts’ estimates, reporting a smaller-than-expected decline in profit and sales after the market closed Tuesday. The leading chipmaker said it…

G20 declares victory over crisis, pledges reforms.

G20 pledged to keep emergency economic supports The Group of 20 rich and developing nations declared their crisis-fighting efforts a success and promised to give rising powers such as China more say in rebuilding and guiding the global economy. In a final statement released at the conclusion of the two-day meeting, the G20 pledged to keep emergency economic supports in place until sustainable recovery is assured, launch a framework for acting together to rebalance economic growth, and establish tougher rules governing banks by 2012. “Here in Pittsburgh, leaders representing two thirds of the planet’s population have agreed to a global plan for jobs, growth and a sustained economic recovery,” British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said….