Today's Headlines

Bloomberg:
- The euro dropped to a two-year low against the dollar after a 12th night of rioting in France. Concern that the social disorder will damp growth and deter investment in euro-denominated assets pushed the currency lower.
- President Chiraq declared a state of emergency to quell spiraling urban violence, applying for the first time in France a 50-year law that authorizes curfews and warrant-less searches.
- The UN Security Council voted 15 to 0 to authorize US-led forces to remain in Iraq until Dec. 31, 2006, to give Iraqi troops time to prepare for assuming responsibility for the nation’s security.
- US Treasuries are rising for a second day, the first back-to-back gain in more than two weeks, as yield near the highest since March attracted investors.
- Linens ‘n Things agreed to a $1.3 billion buyout by a group led by Apollo Management LP after struggling to compete with Bed Bath & Beyond.
- Comcast plans to sell $2 billion of five-, 10-, and 30-year bonds today, according to Market News.
- Yum! Brands is developing contingency plans to educate consumers that it’s safe to eat at its Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants amid rising concerns about a possible avian flu outbreak.
- Guidant said the SEC started a formal investigation into the company’s disclosures about unspecified products and trading in Guidant stock.

Wall Street Journal:
- Worldwide demand for business jets is expected to reach a record of about 850 aircraft deliveries in 2006, citing estimates by Honeywell.
- Advanced Micro Devices in October beat Intel in supplying chips for personal computers to US retail stores.
- US House of Representatives and Senate negotiators reached agreement on a $30.5 billion water and energy bill.
- Genetically modified plants are increasingly distorting the makeup of traditional crops as they account for a growing share of the world’s farmland.
- GM’s Chevrolet brand may pass Ford’s Ford nameplate as the No. 1 vehicle marque this year in the US for the first time in 18 years.

NY Times:
- Some US retailers such as Gap Inc., Walgreen Co. and Wal-Mart Stores are developing national crime databases to combat shoplifting gangs.
- The FASB will decide this week whether to alter its 20-year-old rule on how US companies account for pensions.

DigiTimes:
- Global demand for indium-tin oxide, which is used to make liquid-crystal displays, may rise as much as 40% net year because of increasing demand from panel makers.

NY Post:
- Sales of Apple Computer’s Macintosh personal computers have benefited from the success of the iPod personal music player.

Le Parisien:
- French courts are imposing increasingly heavy punishment on youths involved in riots which have rocked the country in the past 12 days.

Ath-Thawra:
- Syria wants foreign companies to carry out more seismic surveys in its waters to search for oil and gas fields.