What’s News
Goldman Sachs Ties to Scandal-Plagued 1MDB Run Deep
Goldman Sachs courted the Malaysian state fund now at the heart of global embezzlement probes, earning high fees for selling its bonds. Investigators want to know if the bank had reason to suspect misuse of the money.
Trump’s New Appointments Shake Up Trade, Regulation
Donald Trump selected billionaire investor Carl Icahn and Peter Navarro, a critic of trade with China, for his economic team, both of whom could jolt Washington’s approach to trade and regulation. 56
Congress Puts Clean-Coal Tax Credits on Table
The most expensive fossil-fuel power plant ever built in the U.S. could soon get a financial lifeline thanks to Trump, who has signaled interest in tax-credit initiatives as a way to preserve jobs. 453
Malware Used in DNC Leaks Tied to Hack on Ukraine
Malicious software used in a hack against the Democratic National Committee is similar to that used against the Ukrainian military, a security firm has determined, suggesting the hackers could be linked to Russia.
German authorities are looking for Anis Amri, a 23-year-old Tunisian in connection with the Berlin attack. Photo: Federal Police/Zuma Press
Man With Suspected Terror Links Sought Over Berlin Truck Attack
Authorities investigating the Berlin truck attack raced to find a Tunisian migrant they earlier suspected of terror ties, as the man’s ability to stay in Germany stoked a furor over the country’s immigration policy. 855
Export-Friendly Tax Revamp Faces Unusual Hurdle
Republican plan to replace the current corporate code is similar to the value-added taxes many other countries use, but it may be illegal under World Trade Organization rules.
Ex-Official at N.Y. State Pension Fund Faces Charges
Navnoor Kang, a former portfolio manager of New York state’s pension fund, steered $2.5 billion in business to two brokerage firms in exchange for bribes that included prostitutes, cocaine and concert tickets, authorities said.
U.S. Car Makers Idle Plants Amid Oversupply Concerns
Detroit auto makers are pulling back on first-quarter production in response to a cooling in retail demand and a shift in consumer tastes, a speed bump for an industry that has laid the foundation for U.S. economic expansion in recent years.
Uber Ends Self-Driving Car Test in San Francisco
Uber Technologies on Wednesday relented in a public battle with California regulators over self-driving cars, halting a test program in San Francisco after the state revoked the registration of the vehicles involved.
Odebrecht Settles Bribery Case
Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht signed the largest anticorruption settlement in history with authorities on three continents, following an investigation that landed its chief executive and other powerful figures in prison.
Honda and Alphabet Talk Driverless-Car Partnership
Waymo, the recently renamed Google self-driving car project, is in talks to collaborate with Honda Motor Co., its second big auto partner.
Global Stocks Find Little Festive Cheer
Stocks slipped as trading continued to be quiet ahead of the holidays, as Europe followed Asia and Wall Street lower.
Goldman Resolves Benchmark Manipulation Probe
Goldman Sachs will pay $120 million to resolve claims that it manipulated a key benchmark swaps rate, authorities said.
VIX Hits Lowest Intraday Level in More than a Year
The CBOE Volatility Index, often touted as the stock market's fear gauge, dropped to its lowest intraday level since August 2015, one sign that investors aren't pricing big risks into the market.
Heard on the Street
MPS Bailout Looks Inevitable, But That Doesn’t Make It Simple
Italy’s most troubled bank is failing to entice new investors so it must rely on government support.
Despite a rebounding economy and healthy job market, more young adults are living with parents or other family members than at any time since 1940. WSJ's Chris Kirkham explains why on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Getty
Young Americans Living at Home With Parents at a 75-Year High
The current trend runs counter to that of previous economic cycles, when after a recession-related spike, the number of younger Americans living with relatives declined as the economy improved. 790
Executions in U.S. Hit 25-Year Low
Georgia led the nation in executions this year, as the number of death sentences carried out in the United States fell to a 25-year low.
Struggling Rural Colleges, Towns Find Fates Intertwined
As America’s rural colleges struggle with falling enrollments and local flight, they are realizing how their own futures are intertwined with the broader community. 179
Onetime Trump Campaign Manager to Launch Consulting Firm
Two top advisers to Donald Trump, including former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, are launching a government affairs and consulting firm, a move at odds with the president-elect’s call to reduce the influence of consultants and lobbyists.
Under Pressure From Neighbors, Japan to Raise Military Spending
Japan’s cabinet approved an increase in military spending—including funds for missile defense upgrades and new advanced submarines—to meet accelerating threats from North Korea and China.
Taliban Militants Killed in Attack on Home of Afghan Lawmaker
Afghan police gunned down three Taliban militants who had stormed the Kabul home of a prominent lawmaker, triggering an all-night battle with security forces that killed at least eight people, officials said.
Korean Air Pilots Strike, Disrupting Asia, Mideast Routes
Unionized pilots at Korean Air Lines went on strike Thursday for the first time in 11 years, disrupting some flights on the airline’s major Asian and Middle Eastern routes.
Loosening of Mexico’s Gasoline Prices Draws Heat
Mexico is moving to end eight decades of government-controlled gasoline prices, a step that will lead to a big jump in prices at the pump and could prompt a backlash against the government’s efforts to liberalize the country’s energy market.
Video
Middle Seat: The Air Shuttle Rises Again
3:59
How Catherine Bloom Became Hollywood's Power Shopper
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An Eggnog Shortage This Holiday Season?
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Photos
The Middle Seat
The Boston-LaGuardia Shuttle Battle Heats Up
JetBlue’s arrival to battle Delta, American and Amtrak’s Acela sparks a new price war between Beantown and the Big Apple, Scott McCartney writes.
Film Review
‘Passengers’ Review: Sleepy Sci-Fi Lost in Space
After awakening early from hibernation on an intergalactic journey, two passengers have the ship to themselves.
- More Reviews: ‘Julieta’ | ‘Patriots Day’
- Film Clip: ‘Passengers’
Strange Music, whose shows have featured artists like Kendrick Lamar and Wiz Khalifa, employs some of the industry's most stringent and, well, strangest tour rules. That no-nonsense approach helped the company bring in nearly $22 million this year amid a boom in the concert business. Strange Music CEO Travis O'Guin explains on Lunch Break with Tanya Rivero. Photo: Strange Music