What’s News
Election 2016
Trump’s Biggest Trophy Yet: The Republican Party
Donald Trump, having driven out the last of his rivals following Tuesday’s Indiana primary, is now the Republican party’s presumptive nominee—a jaw-dropping outcome that says as much about the GOP, caught in turmoil and transition, as it does about Mr. Trump. 528
Trump Won’t Self-Fund for General Election
The presumptive Republican nominee said he won’t self-fund his general-election campaign, and will instead create a “world-class finance organization.” 187
Kasich Leaves Clear GOP Path for Trump
Ohio Gov. John Kasich ended his quixotic presidential campaign Wednesday, and a relatively small first wave of Republicans who had long steered clear of Donald Trump began lining up behind the presumptive nominee.
Insurers Seek Rate Hikes to Cover Obamacare Costs
Insurers have begun to propose big premium increases for coverage next year under the 2010 health law, as some struggle to make money in a market where their costs have soared. 97
Power Play in Turkey Threatens Ties to West
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was poised to consolidate power after Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signaled that he will step down amid a power struggle that complicates Ankara’s efforts to forge deeper ties with Europe and the U.S.
New U.S. Rules Make Foreign Goods Better Deal for E-Shoppers
A change in trade rules is making it cheaper and easier for American consumers to buy overseas goods online, heartening merchants abroad but threatening stiffer competition for U.S. retailers.
Justice Department Challenges North Carolina Bathroom Law
The Justice Department warned North Carolina officials that it considers the state’s new bathroom law a violation of the Civil Rights Act. 407
Oil-Price Drop Vanquishes Cutting-Edge Projects
The world’s largest energy companies are sidelining big ideas, like ultra-deep water development, floating LNG factories and carbon-capture projects, that they touted just a couple of years ago as the industry’s future.
Tesla’s Losses Widen on Lower-Than-Expected Deliveries
Tesla Motors plans to ramp up annual production to a half-million vehicles two years earlier than planned, but will do so without two top manufacturing executives. 82
Many Crowdfunding Consultants Come Up Short
As more entrepreneurs turn to online sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo to raise money for their ventures, a cottage industry of service providers has emerged. But are they worth it?
Tribune Publishing Rejects Gannett Bid
Tribune Publishing Co.’s board of directors rejected an unsolicited acquisition offer from Gannett Co., calling the bid “opportunistic.”
Unhedged
Today’s Markets: A Place Where Nothing Makes Sense
The normal rules of investing have been upended because of years of weak economic growth and distortions caused by central-bank stimulus, Ken Brown writes.
In Puerto Rico’s Debt Crisis, Shades of Argentina
Hedge funds that bought billions of dollars of the U.S. territory’s debt are using similar tactics they wielded to score a big payday from the South American country this year.
Weaker Investment Income Stings Insurers’ Results
Hail storms, market volatility and persistently low interest rates stung more insurers in the first quarter, as four of the biggest companies in the sector reported sharply lower operating profits.
Stanley Druckenmiller Cites Similarities to 2008 Crisis
Billionaire trader Stanley Druckenmiller warned Wednesday that this moment reminds him of the period before the 2008 financial crisis.
Iraq Premier Calls for Unity Amid Political Crisis
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, facing the test of his political life in mass protests against his government, urged the country’s rival factions to unite for the sake of fighting Islamic State. But Iraqi politicians show no sign of abandoning their grievances to support the U.S.-led campaign against the extremist group.
Philippine Front-Runner Floats New Tactic in Island Dispute
Rodrigo Duterte, the front-runner in the Philippines presidential election, is adding a twist to the fractious international dispute over the South China Sea, offering to negotiate directly with Beijing.
Europe File
Eurozone Recovery Belies Euroskeptic Myths
While the eurozone remains vulnerable to shocks, recent growth data serve as a rebuttal to some euroskeptic myths, Simon Nixon writes.
Brazil Prosecutor Requests Indictment of Ex-President da Silva
Brazil’s top prosecutor has asked the Supreme Court to indict former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for allegedly attempting to obstruct a corruption investigation.
California Governor Signs Bill Raising Tobacco-Purchase Age to 21
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday signed into law a bill raising the legal purchase age for cigarettes and other tobacco products to 21 years from 18.
Flint Water Official Agrees to Help Investigators in Plea Deal
A Flint, Mich., water plant supervisor reached a plea agreement Wednesday with Michigan prosecutors, in exchange for agreeing to cooperate in the continuing investigation into the city’s lead-tainted water crisis.
Former Utah Sen. Bob Bennett Dies at 82
The former Republican senator, one of the first incumbents ousted in a national wave of anti-incumbent sentiment in 2010, died from complications of pancreatic cancer and a recent stroke, his assistant said.
Fla. Court Weighs Case Impacting Death Row Inmates
Florida’s highest court will consider whether to reduce a convicted murderer’s death sentence to life in prison—a case that could have broad ramifications for hundreds of death-row inmates in the state.
Medical Intervention to Help Prince Didn’t Occur in Time
A planned medical intervention to help pop star Prince in connection with his use of painkillers failed to reach the musician before he died.
Video
New Details About Prince's Last Hours
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Kasich's Moderation No Match in Year of Insurgents
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Female Comic Heroes Fight for Fangirls
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Style & Fashion
The War Over Non-Iron Shirts
Some guys despise non-iron shirts, dismissing them as stiff and uncomfortable. Others swear by the convenience and defend them to their last thread. Can’t we all just get along?
Benedict Arnold Was General, Hero and Traitor
Nathaniel Philbrick talks about his new book, “Valiant Ambition,” about Benedict Arnold, George Washington and the dysfunction, as well as heroism, of the American Revolution.