Business News, Finance News, World, Political & Sports News from The Wall Street Journal

Detroit Auto Show
Auto makers are unveiling their latest production cars and concepts at the 2009 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit.

Israel Battles at Edge of Gaza City
Israeli soldiers fought a fierce battle with Palestinian militants on the southern outskirts of Gaza City early Sunday morning as Israeli leaders weighed whether to widen the assault.
- Photos: Fighting Continues | Map: Daily Events
Obama Plans to Keep Estate Tax
Obama and congressional leaders plan to move soon to block the estate tax from disappearing in 2010.

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Founder's Grandson Set to Lead Toyota
Toyota's senior board members have selected Akio Toyoda as the company's next president, according to people familiar with the matter.
- Toyota Plans Electric Vehicle in 2012
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Citigroup Takes Step
Toward Breakup
Citigroup took its first big step toward a breakup since the crisis hit, including talks to spin off Smith Barney into a joint venture with Morgan Stanley. Citi's Rubin said he is resigning.
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Exxon Fuels Deal Speculation
Exxon is poised to acquire a rival energy firm or join up with an oil-rich nation, industry experts believe.
India Names New Satyam Board
Honda to Reduce U.S. Inventory
Protectionist Wave May Deepen Crisis

Judges Back Mortgage Legislation
Judges say they are eager to have the power to restructure mortgages for debtors because it could save thousands of homeowners from foreclosure.
CDC, FDA Set to Get New Leaders
Bernanke to Diagram Fed Policy

Thai Government Sees Gains in Vote
Candidates from Thailand's coalition government did better than many analysts expected in a clutch of parliamentary by-elections.
Biden Visits Southern Afghanistan
Pakistani Forces Kill 40 Taliban
Somali Pirates Drown

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Inflation in November Was Lower, OECD Says
Annual rates of inflation were sharply lower across the developed world in November as energy prices fell, the OECD said.
Russian Officials Die in Copter Crash
Probe Raises Tensions in Turkey

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U.K. Banks Weigh Debt Help
The U.K. government and banks are weighing a plan for a fund to help ailing firms unload bad debt to stave off defaults and bankruptcies
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As M&A Falters, Arbitragers Wait Out Slump
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Tronox Poised to File for Chapter 11

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Rebound Stalls, Exposing a Lurking Bear
Last week's 4.8% swoon was the worst weekly decline since U.S. stocks began their rally on Nov. 21, and now the fear is that the market may be beginning another leg down.
T. Rowe's Risky Focus
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LSE Value Fell, Volume Rose in '08

Bear Mauls 'Safe' Target Funds, Too
Target-date mutual funds are billed as a one-stop solution for investors saving for retirement. But the past year's market turmoil shows they're not one-size-fits-all.
Is a T-shirt Basic Clothing?
Overcome Your Money Issues in '09

Red, White and Brut: Inaugural Bubblies
For a toast to a new president, American sparkling wines are worthy of celebration. Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher on their favorites.
Designers Lobby for Red-Carpet Presence
Missing in 'Bride Wars': Wit, Invention

Yearly Job Loss Worst Since 1945
The worsening economy resulted in more than 2.5 million job losses last year, the most since 1945, while the unemployment rate climbed to 7.2% in December. Job losses spared no region or sector. (Text of the report)
Young Women More Vulnerable During Layoffs
Job Test Spawns Culture of Cheating

Mortgage Bill Clears a Hurdle in Senate
A Senate bill meant to give homeowners more leverage in renegotiating their loans cleared a hurdle as Citigroup dropped its opposition.
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KB Home Posts $307 Million Loss
Lennar Hit by Claims on Off-Balance Sheet Debt

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Tough Call: Deciding to Start a Business
Chris McGill left a well-paying job to start a new business: Mixx.com. He tells us how he made the tough call.
Lead Rules May Crimp Thrift-Shop Bargains
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Ruby Tuesday's Loss Widens

Understanding the 'Rough Sleepers'
Alexander Masters's biography of Stuart Shorter explores how someone ends up on the street. (Discuss)
All the Presidents' Literature
Rare is the leader who can actually write well, but those who do offer a window into their governing style. Jonathan Raban on the best presidential writers, and what Barack Obama's memoirs say about how he'll lead.
FCC's Martin Pushes for DTV Coupons
The outgoing FCC Chairman Kevin Martin urged Congress to make changes to the DTV switch program.
- Cabbies: Attendance Down | Obama iPod Dock
Part 1: What Happened
Journal reporters explain how easy money led to the collapse of Wall Street's biggest firms.
A $300 Million Throwaway
Last May, the U.N. broke ground on a 175,000-square-foot building on the North Lawn. And it's already slated for demolition.
- Photos: U.N.'s Art Collection
The Art of Gamesmanship
How golf allows opponents to get under your skin, and stay there.
- Podcast: Golf-Course Gamesmanship
- Discuss: Your Trash-Talking Experiences
Designers Lobby for Red-Carpet Presence
As sales of designer goods have plummeted, Hollywood's awards season has become all the more important to fashion brands.
New Info Shoppers
New info shoppers have taken a major role in the marketplace. These people can't buy anything unless they first look it up online and get the lowdown.