Today's Headlines

Bloomberg:
- Worldwide server sales increased 8.1% in the third quarter, the 10th straight advance, as demand increased for computers that run corporate networks and Web sites, researcher IDC said.
- Research In Motion, maker of the BlackBerry e-mail pager, cut its forecast for signing up new clients because of delay in introducing products.
- Crude oil, heating oil and gasoline are falling after an Energy Department report showed that US fuel stockpiles rose and on forecasts for warmer weather in the US Northeast.
- US Treasuries are falling after the government’s auction of two-year notes drew less demand than some traders expected, a day after the Fed signaled it may be ready to slow the pace of interest-rate increases.

Wall Street Journal:
- Google’s expansion has sparked a hiring frenzy in Silicon Valley as Internet companies compete for qualified candidates.
- Neurointensive care is helping stroke patients once considered untreatable to recover from brain damage.
- Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, Bergdorf Goodman and other retailers are finding e-mail advertising is one of fashion’s most effective marketing methods.
- Verizon Communications and Cablevision Systems are fighting in NYC and other US communities as phone companies’ network upgrades push them into competition with cable companies.
- Loral Space & Communications may add as many as 600 employees at its satellite-making unit.
- The Motion Picture Association of America and Bram Cohen, creator of software used to download movies illegally over the Internet, reached an accord to remove links to copyrighted movies from Cohen’s search engine and Web site.
- The IRS plans more audits next year as agents examine more returns of US taxpayers with incomes of at least $100,000 for evidence of abusive shelters, offshore accounts or transactions designed to avoid paying taxes.

Washington Post:
- The Defense Department plans to cut the number of US troops in Iraq early next year by as many as three combat brigades, from 18 now, citing unidentified senior military officers.

Rocky Mountain News:
- Denver-area single-family homes sold for an average of $309,030 in November, down from $314,586 in October and $289,934 a year ago.

NY Times:
- The US energy-drinks market grew 61% to $3 billion this year, citing Beverage Digest.

AP:
- Iraqi Foreign Minister Zebari arrived in Tokyo today for a four-day visit to meet with Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Aso to discuss Japan’s support for Iraq’s reconstruction.

Gazeta Wyborcza:
- An Iraqi government delegation will visit Poland on Dec. 6 to discuss the presence of Polish troops in Iraq and investment opportunities for Polish companies in the Middle Eastern country.