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President Trump encouraged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to ‘go nuclear’ and change Senate rules if required to overcome Democrats' opposition to Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Photo: Getty
Trump Urges Senate to ‘Go Nuclear’ Over Court
The battle over Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch began in earnest, with President Trump saying the Senate should change rules to allow Gorsuch to win confirmation on a simple majority vote, should there be Democratic opposition. 609
Tillerson Wins Confirmation as Secretary of State
The Senate confirmed former Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Rex Tillerson to be secretary of state, sending him to the State Department as career officials mount a formal protest against President Donald Trump’s immigration initiative. 135
Two GOP Senators to Oppose Education Nominee DeVos
Two Republican senators announced they would vote against school-voucher advocate Betsy DeVos to be education secretary, putting President Trump’s nominee dangerously close to falling short of the number of GOP votes needed to win confirmation.
Fed Stands Pat, Offers No Hint on Next Rate Move
The Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate steady and said it remains on track to gradually raise short-term rates this year. It gave no hint about when the next increase might come.
The Uneasy Politician: Yellen Struggles to Fend Off Fed Critics
The Fed chairwoman, a respected economist, has struggled to win over skeptical members of Congress and fend off calls for greater oversight from Republicans and President Trump.
Trump’s Backers Want Action on Jobs, Taxes, Immigration
In a collection of U.S. counties carried by President Donald Trump, where much of the economy is mired in the doldrums, those who voted for him now expect action on jobs, taxes as well as immigration. 231
White House Puts Iran ‘On Notice’ After Missile Launch
The White House on Wednesday sharply condemned Iran’s recent ballistic missile test launch and accused Tehran of threatening the U.S. allies in the region, and warned of unspecified consequences. 74
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Apple Struggles to Reverse Slump in China
China was the one region where Apple’s sales didn’t rise in the first quarter, underscoring the company’s challenge in the world’s biggest smartphone market: Chinese companies are offering handsets that are cheaper and nearly as sophisticated as iPhones.
U.S. Auto Sales Cooled in January
The Big Three auto makers posted declines in January auto sales amid what is expected to be a broader cooling in demand following brisk sales in the prior month that is creating a glut on dealer lots.
Volkswagen’s Emissions Bill Could Surpass $25 Billion
Volkswagen’s bill for its emissions-cheating scandal could top $25 billion following its latest agreement to compensate owners of bigger, 3-liter vehicles in the U.S.
Trump Travel Ban Is Wake-Up Call for Business
As they scramble to adapt to a White House ban on travel for foreign nationals of seven countries, companies are rethinking how their employees travel the globe and do business beyond U.S. borders.
Trial Focuses on Ties Between Pain Doctors and Fentanyl Maker
Testimony at the criminal trial of two pain doctors is shedding new light on the sales tactics of fentanyl-maker Insys Therapeutics, and the toll of opioid addiction along the Gulf Coast.
Private Equity Tries to Crack the 401(k) Market Again
Pantheon Ventures has come up with what it hopes is a way for the PE investment firm to crack the 401(k) market, which traditionally has shunned private-equity investments.
U.S. Factory Activity Accelerated to Fastest Pace in More Than Two Years
U.S. factory activity accelerated to the fastest pace in more than two years in January, a sign of momentum for a key sector of the economy.
Apple Shares Push Tech Stocks Higher
A surge in Apple shares boosted U.S. technology stocks as the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged higher following several sessions of declines.
Credit-Card Fraud Keeps Rising, Despite New Security Chips
More consumers became victims of identity fraud last year than at any point in more than a decade despite new security protections implemented by the credit-card industry, a new report says.
GOP Tries Rare Path to Undo Obama Regulations
Congressional Republicans will use a rarely-deployed law to vote on rescinding a number of federal regulations from the Obama era, part of a broader effort to scale back regulations that President Donald Trump and his allies say place an undue burden on business. 133
Executive Order Draft Looks to Re-Examine Visa Programs
A draft of an executive order for President Donald Trump’s consideration directs the government to re-examine the legal-immigration programs favored by technology and other companies. 126
Pentagon Probe of ISIS Intelligence Finds Reports Weren’t Skewed
The Defense Department is expected to release results of a probe that largely will exonerate senior military officials of allegations they manipulated intelligence reports to paint a rosier picture of the battle against ISIS.
Delaware Prison on Lockdown Amid Hostage Situation
The James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, Del., which houses about 2,500 inmates, was on lockdown because of a hostage situation, state officials said.
He was the front-runner in the race to become France’s next president. But have allegations that François Fillon misused public funds created an opening for far-right leader Marine Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron? WSJ's Niki Blasina reports.
Top French Presidential Candidate Battered by Scandal
Conservative leaders are trying to steady the campaign of François Fillon, once the clear front-runner to become France’s next president, as he faces a deepening criminal investigation.
Israel Begins Clearing Illegal West Bank Outpost
Israeli security forces began clearing an illegal Jewish settler outpost in the West Bank, as the government pressed ahead with settlement expansion elsewhere in the territory Palestinians claim for a future state.
Pakistan’s Middle Class Soars as Stability Returns
Pakistan, often in the headlines for terrorism, coups and poverty, has developed something else in recent years: a burgeoning middle class that is fueling economic growth and bolstering a fragile democracy.
Mystery Surrounds Whereabouts of Chinese-Born Tycoon
Hong Kong police waded into a mystery surrounding the whereabouts of a Chinese-born billionaire on Wednesday, saying they had asked mainland authorities for more information after determining the businessman crossed the border into China.
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Message in a Bottle
One Very Strong Rum, Multiple Alternate Realities
Upon receipt of a bottle of Plantation O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum, author and musician John Darnielle considers various possibilities along the cocktail-custard pie continuum.
Meet the coach for Lady Gaga, Super Bowl halftime star
Vocal coach Don Lawrence specializes in a classical opera technique that’s been modernized for pop singers.