Media Digest 12/5/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg

According to Reuters, car company executives went before Congress and pleaded for billions of dollars.

Reuters reports that governments are bracing for a long crisis ahead.

Reuters reports that Paulson says the financial bailout still faces hurdles.

Reuters writes that oil is steady below $44.

Reuters reports that some members of the Senate are pushing for a GM (GM) merger with Chrysler.

Reuters reports that the infrastructure building boom is Asia is not likely to pay off soon.

Reuters reports that Toshiba will sharply cut chip output due to lack of demand.

Reuters reports that Microsoft (MSFT) picked up a key Yahoo! (YHOO) executive to run its online business.

Reuters writes that Facebook is delaying plans for an employee stock sale.

Reuters reports that ex-CEO Greenberg says AIG (AIG) needs a unified plan.

The Wall Street Journal writes that the Fed is considering taking unconventional steps to help the economy.

The Wall Street Journal reports that companies are accelerating lay-offs.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Boeing (BA) may delay delivery of the 787.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Harvard plans a bond issue.

The Wall Street Journal reports the November retail sales were as bad as feared.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Credit Suisse revealed a big loss.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the fall of oil is threatening energy-driven companies and several countries.

The Wall Street Journal reports that AMD (AMD) sharply cut its forecasts.

The Wall Street Journal writes that the car companies are taking their case to the web.

The Wall Street Journal expects the November jobs report to be grim.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Merrill Lynch (MER) deal with Bank of America (BAC) goes to a vote today.

The Wall Street Journal reports that China is looking to Wall St. to lure back native talent.

The Wall Street Journal reports that layoffs at Viacom (VIA) says a lot about the performance of some of its businesses.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Siemens (SI) expects slow growth in China.

The Wall Street Journal reports that concerns about debt are weighing on Rio Tinto (RTP)..

The Wall Street Journal reports that Toll Brothers (TOL) narrowed it loss but sales continued to fall.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Starbucks (SBUX) is moving to keep sales and cut costs.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Nokia (NOK) cuts its forecasts for handset sales, again.

The New York Times reports that Washington’s new trek is to help homeowners.

The New York Times reports that AT&T (T) cut 12,000 jobs as its landline business continues to fall.

The FT reports that The Big Three would accept government oversight in exchange for loans.

The FT reports that Europe’s central banks slashed rates.

The FT reports that Bernanke called for action on foreclosures.

The FT warned about a Latin American credit squeeze.

Bloomberg reports that California may resort to recession-era IOUs are cash tightens.

Douglas A. McIntyre