Morning Buzz: Nov. 12, 2007

Rocket and mortar attacks in Iraq are at a 21-month low, the U.S. military reported this morning. In addition, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said suicide attacks and other bombings in Baghdad have dipped dramatically and called it an end of sectarian violence.

Intel Corp., the world's largest semiconductor company, is rolling out a new line of computer chips this morning. The new chips employ a technology that holds up to 40 percent more transistors than previous models. Chips currently on the market have about 582 million transistors; the new technology boosts this number to 820 million. When Intel first introduced its computer chips in the 1970s, each had 2,300 transistors.

This morning, striking stagehands shut down New York theaters for a third day. The current strike, which shut down 27 shows, including The Phantom of the Opera, Rent , and The Lion King, pits stage hands against producers and theaters. It may endure for some time, as both sides have not negotiated since Thursday. Theater-goers are being urged to explore off-Broadway options if they are planning to visit the Big Apple.