What’s News
Russia Says It Has No Compromising Material on Trump
Russia denied it has compromising material on Donald Trump, calling a dossier of unverified allegations an “absolute fabrication” and an attempt to damage U.S.-Russian relations. 75
Global Stocks Steady, Eyes on Trump Tax Policy
Global markets were broadly steady Wednesday ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s first news conference of the year.
VW Faces $4.3 Billion Penalty in U.S. Over Emissions Cheating
Volkswagen is expected to agree to plead guilty to criminal wrongdoing and pay a $4.3 billion penalty to resolve a Justice Department probe of the German auto giant’s diesel-emissions cheating.
Germany Moves to Rein In Extremists After Attack
German officials presented proposed measures to rein in known extremists after authorities failed to prevent a terrorist attack last month by Anis Amri, a Tunisian on a government watch list.
President Obama talked about his administration’s accomplishments during his eight years in office, including winning marriage equality and reversing a “great recession.”
Obama Urges Unity in Farewell Speech
In a farewell address to a hall filled with the activists who helped him become the first black American president, Barack Obama Tuesday urged all Americans to unite to protect the nation’s democracy, which he said is being threatened by outside forces as well as tensions within. 1118
The Trader Behind SoftBank’s $100 Billion Fund
Rajeev Misra, who built Deutsche Bank’s credit-derivatives business in the 2000s, is a leader on SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son’s next big thing: a $100 billion fund to invest in futuristic technologies.
Samsung Heir Named as Bribery Suspect in South Korean Probe
Lee Jae-yong will be investigated as a bribery suspect by South Korean prosecutors, drawing the conglomerate deeper into an unfolding political scandal.
L’Oréal Looks to Gain U.S. Share With CeraVe Deal
The French cosmetics giant is acquiring CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi for $1.3 billion from Valeant as it seeks a stronger footing in North America, where it made only 12% of its sales in 2015.
EU Proposes Rules to Curb Facebook, Google Targeted Ads
The European Union has proposed new rules that would limit how companies like Google and Facebook track users to deliver targeted ads, introducing legislation that could reduce a key revenue stream for online advertisement companies and other website publishers.
Snapchat Parent Goes Its Own Way With Plan for Collecting Revenue
Snapchat owner Snap will make London its international headquarters and start booking overseas revenue in all the countries where it has offices.
Can Revlon Regain Luster?
Revlon’s new CEO plans big changes at the beauty company, which has struggled to stay relevant in a time of rapidly changing trends and consumers’ preference for niche products.
Turkish Central Bank Fails to Stop Currency’s Slide
The Turkish central bank failed to stop the lira’s free fall with its limited step to boost liquidity in financial markets, amid political pressure to keep interest rates low.
Palladium Shines at Front of Reflation Rally
Palladium is up by over 12% in the first weeks of the new year, outperforming most other assets as investors push into more cyclical, risky investments.
Libya Ramps Up Oil Production, Threatening OPEC Plans
Output has more than tripled in the past three months and hit a three-year high this week as militias make deals to reopen facilities. The country was exempted from cuts agreed to by major oil producers.
Bonds Rebound, and Companies Dive In
Investment-grade debt sales are the most at the start of a year in two decades.
Rex Tillerson May Make Unusual Tax Argument
Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick as secretary of state, aims to use an unusual interpretation of the tax law to spread out taxes owed on his retirement package over the next decade instead of paying more than $70 million immediately.
Jeff Sessions Hearing Touches on His Racial Views
Sen. Jeff Sessions forcefully rejected accusations that he has racist views and departed from several of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign stances during his Senate confirmation hearing to become attorney general. 1233
Church Shooter Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death
A jury sentenced church killer Dylann Roof to death for killing nine black worshipers at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2015. 181
U.S. Police More Reluctant to Use Force, Survey Finds
Attention surrounding police shootings of black men have increased officers’ reluctance to use force and stop suspicious people, while heightening tensions between black people and police, according to a broad survey of police officers released Wednesday.
Iceland’s Independence Party Forms New Government
Iceland’s Independence Party announced the formation of a coalition government, ending over two months of stalemate and seeing off a challenge from the anti-establishment Pirate Party.
Italy’s New Prime Minister in Intensive Care After Angioplasty
Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has had an angioplasty—an emergency surgical procedure to clear an obstructed coronary artery—his spokeswoman said.
Xi to Stress China’s ‘Responsible’ Global Role in Davos
Beijing aims to seize the mantle of being a free-trade supporter and multilateral player as U.S. seems to turn inward following Donald Trump’s election.
China Aircraft Carrier Passing Through Taiwan Strait, Taipei Says
The defense ministry in Taipei said China’s sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was moving through the Taiwan Strait along with its battle group, amid heightened tensions between the two sides.
Video
FIFA Expands World Cup to Boost Revenue
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Riders Rescued From Australian Roller Coaster
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Deadly Terrorist Attacks Rock Afghanistan
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Photos
Life
Last on the Shelf: How Products Fall From Favor
Bar soap has given way to body wash. People have returned to using butter over margarine and frozen juice concentrate is all but forgotten. Companies push shoppers to the newest versions of pantry staples.
Music
Rap Duo Run the Jewels on Politics, Free Music and Their Third Album
Killer Mike and El-P talk about ‘Run the Jewels 3,’ one of 2017’s most highly anticipated rap albums.