IBT Staff Reporter

Verizon Communications Inc's third-quarter profit fell a less-than-expected 9 percent as it added more wireless customers than analysts had forecast.

The death toll from Sunday's two suicide bombs in Baghdad, one of Iraq's bloodiest attacks in years, has risen to 155 with more than 500 wounded, police said on Monday.

Verizon Communications on Monday posted a third quarter profit that fell more than 9 percent but was slightly ahead of analyst estimates and it added more wireless customers than expected.

President Hamid Karzai's rival in a November 7 run-off presidential vote demanded on Monday that Afghanistan's chief election official be sacked, laying out a ultimatum that could complicate the pre-election process.

U.S. fertilizer maker Mosaic Co (MOS.N) said on Monday it plans to return about $580 million to stockholders through a special cash dividend that will be financed using cash on hand.

U.S. stock index futures indicated a modestly higher open on Monday, after a sell-off in the previous session, as investors looked to a busy week of economic data and corporate earnings.

Intelligence agencies estimate that it would probably take Iran a minimum of 18 months to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to build one, Western diplomats and intelligence officials said.

Following is the prepared text of a speech Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney was giving in Montreal on Monday.

Health insurer Amerigroup Corp cut its third-quarter earnings outlook, citing elevated medical costs tied to the onset of a severe flu season due to the H1N1 virus, and withdrew its full-year outlook.

Two helicopter crashes in Afghanistan killed 11 U.S. soldiers and three U.S. civilians on Monday, NATO-led forces said in a statement.

Despite long lines and limited supplies of theH1N1 flu vaccine, U.S. efforts against the disease are not too late, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Monday.

U.S. economic activity weakened in September according to a Chicago Federal Reserve report on Monday, but a three-month moving average of the index, though below its historical trend, improved close to levels associated with the end of recessions.

In one of the largest stimulus awards to state housing agencies, the U.S. Treasury announced on Friday $284 million would go to California, bringing the nationwide total since May to $3.12 billion.

PrivateBancorp Inc (PVTB.O) posted a third-quarter loss, as weakness in commercial real estate forced the Chicago lender to almost triple its provision for bad loans, and said it would raise $175 million through a stock offering, sending its shares down 14 percent in pre-market trade.

European shares were little changed on Monday as a rise in pharma stocks offset weaker insurers, which were dragged down by ING (ING.AS), which fell after announcing its plan to split the company.

In a crowded ballroom next to a bankrupt casino, what remains of the Detroit property market was being picked over by speculators and mostly discarded.

News, details on corporate bond issues in the European markets on Monday:

European shares edged higher in early trade on Monday, with higher oils and pharmaceutical stocks outweighing weaker financials.

Britain's top shares edged up 0.2 percent by midday on Monday as energy firms and drugmakers gained ahead of third-quarter earnings this week, outpacing a decline in banks and life insurers.

Verizon Communications on Monday posted a third quarter profit that fell more than 9 percent but was slightly ahead of analyst estimates and it added more wireless customers than expected.

U.S. stock index futures indicated a modestly higher open on Monday, after a sell-off in the previous session, as investors looked to a busy week of economic data, while the U.S. dollar fell to a 14-month low.

Developing countries risk missing out on the benefits of information technology because of their lack of broadband infrastructure, a U.N. agency said.

Verizon Communications said on Monday third quarter revenue rose but its profit declined as costs increased.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday after a selloff in the previous session as investors looked ahead to a busy week of economic data, while the U.S. dollar fell to a 14-month low.

The chief executive of Walt Disney has called for a thorough reexamination of the business model for marketing and producing movies as DVD sales tumble and distribution costs rise.

RadioShack Corp's quarterly profit missed estimates by one cent on weak demand for its converter boxes, laptop computers and wireless accessories.

The Australian Dollar opens marginally lower on Monday against the greenback at 0.9201. Last Friday saw another move towards US93 cents as investors sold the Japanese Yen to move into higher-yielding currencies, in what is commonly known as a carry trade. The local unit is nudging one-year highs against the Yen at 84.58. In offshore action the Aussie retreated beneath US92 cents after Wall Street fell 1 per cent, giving back the gains of the previous session and sapping the market's confidence...

Oil fell for a third day to around $80 a barrel on Monday, extending its retreat from last week's one-year high, on renewed concerns about the strength of the global economy.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Monday for Wall Street, which fell on Friday.