What’s News
Jobs Growth Slows, Wages Post Best Gain Since 2009
The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.7% in December, with U.S. employers adding a lower-than-expected 156,000 positions, but wage growth pointed to a tightening labor market more than seven years after the expansion began.
Ash Carter Says Putin Makes It Harder to Work With Russia
Outgoing Defense Secretary Ash Carter said in an interview that Russia has done nothing to help defeat ISIS in Syria and has a strategy of “explicitly thwarting the U.S.” 109
FBI Director to Brief Trump on Russian Hacking
FBI Director Comey will join Director of National Intelligence Clapper and others in giving Trump a briefing on what agencies have concluded about alleged Russian hacking. 142
Trump Hints at Request for Border Wall Funds from Congress
Trump appeared to acknowledge he may ask Congress for money to build a border wall, a move that would undermine his vow that Mexico would pay for it. 283
China Steps In Again to Boost Yuan
China continued to squeeze the global market for the yuan, sending the cost of borrowing the currency in overseas markets soaring to a near-record high.
How Samsung Weathered the Galaxy Note 7 Recall
Despite the disastrous launch of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, the South Korean tech giant forecast its highest profit in more than three years.
Those Voices at the Call Center? They May Know a Lot About You
A software startup serving call-center operations scours Facebook and other social media to match agents to callers. The practice, however, raises concerns among privacy advocates.
Retailers Face Multibillion-Dollar Earnings Hit Under GOP Tax Plan
A Republican proposal aimed at cutting tax rates and keeping jobs in the U.S. risks whacking the earnings of big U.S. retailers by driving up the cost of imported clothes, furniture and other goods.
Toyota on the Defensive After Trump’s Tweet
Toyota Motor finds itself in the position of having to prove its worth as a job creator in the U.S. after a tweet by President-elect Donald Trump.
Sanofi Counts Cost of Ruling That Blocks Its Cholesterol Drug
A ruling by a U.S. judge to permanently block the sale of Sanofi’s new cholesterol-lowering drug could deal a blow to the French drugmaker’s ambitions for what it hoped would become a blockbuster product.
South Korean Executive Jailed for Humidifier Cleaner Deaths
A court sentenced the former head of Oxy Reckitt Benckiser to seven years in prison after the company’s disinfectant for humidifiers killed scores of people and left hundreds with lung damage.
Brokers Once Disdained Financial Advisers, Now They Copy Them
The distinction between independent financial advisers and Wall Street brokerages is blurring as big banks with brokerage outfits move to comply with new regulations and take back market share.
Jon Corzine to Pay $5 Million for Role in Collapse of MF Global
Former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine agreed to pay $5 million to end a U.S. regulator’s lawsuit in the aftermath of the 2011 collapse of commodities brokerage MF Global Holdings Ltd. 64
Saudi Arabia Cuts Output in Accordance With OPEC Deal
Saudi Arabia has cut its crude-oil production by at least 486,000 barrels a day since October, bringing the world’s largest exporter of petroleum swiftly into line with OPEC’s deal to raise prices.
Ex-Bond Trader Acted Like Used-Car Salesman, His Attorney Argues
The retrial of a former bond trader in a securities-fraud case that provoked changes to Wall Street sales tactics began with the trader’s attorneys casting his techniques as no more manipulative or harmful than the fast-and-loose claims of a used-car salesman.
Digital Dunkin’: Non-Tech Firms Crash CES, Looking to Connect
At the world’s largest consumer electronics show this week, Carnival cruise lines, Dunkin’ Donuts and the owner of Absolut vodka unveiled new technology and swapped tips.
The Wild and Wondrous Tech of the Year Ahead
A first look at the most interesting products and trends at the consumer electronics industry’s annual show in Las Vegas.
C-3PO’s Grandparents? Helper Robots Develop Skills
Robots that play chess, provide directions, go out for groceries—these are the helpful robots on display at this year’s CES tech trade show in Las Vegas.
Auto Makers Showcase Cars Equipped With Virtual Assistants
Carmakers are rushing to bring voice-assisted, artificial intelligence software into vehicles. Many of these auto makers are aiming to put autonomous vehicles on the road by 2020.
Russia Announces Military Drawdown in Syria
Russia’s top general said his country would draw down its military presence in Syria, starting with a withdrawal of its warships from the eastern Mediterranean.
Korean Presidential Hopeful Aims to Challenge the U.S.
Lee Jae-myung, who favors reaching out to North Korea and confronting the U.S., has emerged as a serious contender to lead the country.
Chinese Sub’s Malaysian Port Call Signals Regional Power Shift
A Chinese attack submarine made an unprecedented stopover in Malaysia this week in a rare public display of China’s expanding undersea force and a further sign of power realignment in Southeast Asia.
Second Brazil Prison Riot Leaves More Than 30 Inmates Dead
More than 30 inmates have been killed in Brazil’s second macabre prison riot this week as warring jail-based drug gangs battle.
Video
'Grow Up, Donald': Biden's Response to Trump Tweets
1:52Russia Starts to Reduce Forces in Syria
1:03Damien Chazelle on the Secrets of 'La La Land'
12:24PAID PROGRAM
Photos
Gear & Gadgets
A Brief History of Humankind’s Desperate Attempts to Stay Fit
Having trouble sticking to your exercise routine? Don’t feel bad. Just look at our long drawn-out relationship with exercise gear—from discus to Thighmaster to jBells.
Gear & Gadgets
The Best Geeky Books to Kick Off the New Year
Design & Decoration
How Décor Can Improve on the Architectural Past
Off Duty Travel
Sydney’s Most Deliciously Eclectic Food Scene? Hit the Beach
Film Review
‘Hidden Figures’ Review: Breaking Barriers of Space, Race and Gender
How three black women in the segregated South helped put a man into orbit