What’s News
RBS Must Bolster Capital After Failing BOE Stress Test
Royal Bank of Scotland must add around $2.5 billion in capital after failing a Bank of England stress test, which also exposed weaknesses at Barclays and Standard Chartered.
Optimism About OPEC Deal Sends Oil Higher
Crude futures jumped on growing optimism that OPEC would be able to deliver a production-cut deal later today.
Iran and Iraq Soften Positions Ahead of OPEC Meeting
Iran and Iraq have softened their positions ahead of a crucial OPEC meeting on Wednesday, OPEC officials said, but it may not be enough to satisfy Saudi Arabia’s demands for a broad-based oil-production cut.
Praxair Approaches Linde About Resuming Deal Talks
Praxair moved to restart negotiations with Germany’s Linde over a combination that would create a $60 billion industrial-gas giant, two months after previous talks dissolved.
Beppe Grillo, founder of Italy's populist 5-Star Movement, exults in the election of Donald Trump and the similarities with Grillo's organization. Photo: Zuma Press
The Next Stop on Populism’s Global March: Italy
Sunday’s national referendum represents a vote of confidence in Matteo Renzi’s government, and a possible opening for the populist 5 Star Movement.
Monte dei Paschi’s Future Hangs on Italian Referendum
An Italian referendum on Sunday could derail Banca Monte dei Paschi’s rescue plan. That in turn could complicate Italy’s efforts to clean up its banking sector.
Trump to Choose Ex-Banker for Treasury Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump will name longtime banker and former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin as his Treasury secretary nominee, a transition official said. 149
Altice Plans Fiber Upgrade That Could Leave Rivals in the Dust
Altice USA said it plans to convert its systems into an ultrafast fiber-to-the-home network capable of 10 gigabits-per-second speeds, a bold plan that takes aim at rival Verizon’s Fios.
Attack Crashes Deutsche Telekom Internet Routers
An attack hit nearly one million home internet routers of Deutsche Telekom customers, knocking them offline, the latest in a string of similar events that have revealed vulnerabilities in home devices connected to the internet.
Global Smartphone Shipment Gains Evaporating
The growth in global smartphone shipments ground to a near halt this year, estimates market research firm International Data Corp., in the latest sign that the mobile-phone boom is petering out.
U.K. Proposals Aim to Strengthen Corporate Governance
The British government outlined proposals meant to strengthen corporate governance, including measures designed to reduce excessive executive pay and make closely held businesses meet the same standards as listed firms.
A Pioneer of the Open Office Helps Ford Rethink the Car
Jim Hackett, former chief executive at office-furniture maker Steelcase, is helping Ford to rethink the ways cars connect with the outside world, as well as the company’s role in the future of transportation.
Steel, Iron-Ore Prices Hammered
Steel and iron-ore prices in China plunged after exchanges there lowered the daily trading limit and raised margin requirements in an effort to curb speculation.
For Japan, a Weak Yen May Be Overvalued
The U.S. dollar’s recent surge against most global currencies ought to be good news for the big manufacturing nations of Asia—but the relationship between currencies, trade and economic health isn’t as simple as it used to be.
Heard on the Street
Luxury Industry Can’t Count on China’s Reverse Silk Road
What will be the luxury industry’s new China? Today’s standard answer has a familiar ring: new parts of China.
Market Takes a Breather, Another Leg Higher May Follow
U.S. stocks were lower for a time this morning, with the last three sessions looking like a plateau for a market that scrambled higher like crazy after the election. The plateau may end up being a good thing for the market, though.
U.S.-Cuba Breach Presents Opportunity for China
A reversal of President Barack Obama’s outreach to Cuba, as threatened by President-elect Donald Trump this week, would leave a bigger opening off the U.S. coast for another great military power: China.
Haitian Election Sets Off Protests
The election of Jovenel Moïse as Haiti’s next president sparked tumultuous demonstrations in Port-au-Prince, as losing candidates in the runoff election questioned the integrity of the voting process.
U.S. Cites Human Error for September Strike on Syria-Aligned Forces
A combination of factors, including human error, led to a U.S. airstrike in Syria in September that killed a number of fighters aligned with the Syrian regime instead of Islamic State, a Pentagon report concludes.
South Korean President Opens Door to Leaving Office
South Korea’s embattled President Park Geun-hye said for the first time that she was willing to leave office early if lawmakers can agree on a suitable transition, opening the door for her departure before her term ends in early 2018.
Workplace
Work & Family
How to Build Instant Rapport in an Interview
How do you forge a quick connection with a stranger? Bartenders, retail employees, stand-up comedians, and police investigators do it routinely, and researchers have studied their techniques.
Life
Sports
Armageddon Looms at World Chess Championships
Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin will break their tie with speed chess and, if needed, the dreaded ‘Armageddon Game.’
Tiger Woods Resumes Journey Without a Destination
The former No. 1 will play his first event in 16 months with humble expectations for success in the sport he long ruled
Video
Italy's Beppe Grillo Celebrates Trump-Style Populism
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After Brexit and Trump, Is Italy Next? An Explainer
3:01
Looted Nazi Artwork Returned To French Owner’s Heirs
1:28PAID PROGRAM
Photos
When Shopping Online, Can You Trust the Reviews?
Retailers are reading customer comments because they help sales and credibility; the magic of 4.2 stars
Designs for Living Find a Larger Home
In London, a larger and more ambitious Design Museum