Topic: The Wall Street Journal

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Tax VOX What happened to state tax reform?

Months ago, several Republican governors proposed major tax reform plans, Gleckman writes, but by tax day, two of those governors had abandoned their tax reform plans. What happened?
Terrorism & Security Bomb blast in southern India raises concern about rising terrorism in Bangalore

A bomb blast near the BJP party headquarters in Bangalore on Wednesday left 16 people injured, including eight policemen.
Focus Tax reform: Why a kinder, simpler tax code eludes Congress, so far

As Tax Day nears, Americans in the throes of preparing their returns may be dreaming of a simpler tax code. Here's why tax reform is such a tall order for Congress – and how two lawmakers are laying the groundwork for it now.
Entitlement reform takes step toward reality in new Obama budget

President Obama will unveil a budget Wednesday that includes reforms to entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare. The budget probably won't pass, but it points to a shift in the debate.
Terrorism & Security North Korea: Foreigners on peninsula could get caught in conflict

Despite a series of increasingly dire North Korean prophecies, international reaction has been largely calm. Many suspect the North's threats are Kim Jong-un's way of proving himself.
Amid North Korea crisis, US scrubs missile test to avoid 'misperception' (+video)

Calling off the missile test – which had nothing to do with North Korea – is just one way the US is quietly trying to defuse tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Terrorism & Security Hunt for Kony becomes a casualty of Central African Republic overthrow (+video)

The country's membership in the African Union has been suspended, putting a freeze on the AU's military effort there to catch notorious warlord Joseph Kony.
More viewers 'binge' on episodes

DVRs and online providers like Hulu and Netflix are making marathon TV-watching easier than ever.
Tax VOX Corporate tax reform is more complicated than politicians think

Corporate tax reform is not a bad idea, Gleckman writes, but it may be harder than either President Obama or key Republicans want to admit.
15 promising nonfiction books for spring 2013

April showers bring May flowers. Here's some fresh non-fiction to check out this spring while you enjoy the new greenery.
The Monitor's View How a Wal-Mart struggle in India shows world progress

Stung by a case of corruption in Mexico, Wal-Mart pushes its Indian associates to be squeaky clean. Such action shows the global effects of a US anti-corruption law.
Steve Jobs had a hand in next two generations of iPhone: report

Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, who passed away in 2011, may have had a more active role in the development of the iPhone line than previously thought.
Energy Voices Tesla Motors expects first profit; Fisker Automotive eyes bankruptcy

Tesla Motors announced late Sunday it exceded its sales target for its Model S electric car and expects to record a profit for the first time in the company's history. Meanwhile, its biggest luxury electric-car competitor, Fisker Automotive, is exploring filing for bankruptcy.
USA Update David Stockman warns of economic collapse, critics cry 'cranky old man'

David Stockman, the conservative economic guru who was an adviser to Ronald Reagan, has taken an severely negative view in his new book 'The Great Deformation.'
Business, labor reach immigration deal on guest workers. Will it stand?

The US Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO have reached a deal on guest workers as a part of comprehensive immigration reform. That was a major issue, but more remain including border security and a pathway to citizenship.
Facebook may start using hashtags as next advertising ploy

The Wall Street Journal reports that Facebook is working on incorporating hashtags into its social network. Introducing hashtags may be an advertising ploy, but what does it say about the future of Facebook's user experience and brand?
Backchannels From every direction, arms for Syria

France is pushing hard, it seems, for Western powers to arm Syria's rebellion. If they get their way, they'll be joining an already crowded playing field.
Terrorism & Security India bars Italian envoy from leaving, escalating tensions over marines shooting incident

India wants Italy to send two Italian marines accused of shooting Indian fishermen back to stand trial. Italy has refused, despite having promised earlier that it would.
Decoder Wire Obama argues a balanced budget isn't necessary. Can he convince the public?

Republicans propose to balance the budget within 10 years, while Democrats argue that such a move could actually hurt the economy. History suggests the politics may be on Republicans' side.
Focus Drones over America: public safety benefit or 'creepy' privacy threat?

Drones are not just for tracking terrorists abroad. Some 327 are authorized to fly in US airspace – most for military training. But as their numbers grow, so is domestic scrutiny.
Global News Blog Papal conclave through the Twitter looking glass (+video)

As the Papal conclave gets underway in Rome, the Twittersphere is lighting up with final farewells from some of the 115 cardinals, as well as comedians.
Terrorism & Security Armistice dead? US and South Korea dismiss North Korea's edict (+video)

Skepticism about the effect of the North's dismissal of a cease-fire is grounded in past experience.
Google cuts 1,200 more jobs at Motorola

Google is cutting 1,200 jobs in its Motorola division just months after cutting 4,000 Motorola jobs.
Rand Paul's drone filibuster shakes up Republicans

Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster got results: The White House acknowledged that killing US citizens suspected of being terrorists must follow the rule of law. But it also shook up the Republican caucus.
'Sequester' watch: Will US spending cuts really cost 750,000 jobs?

Critics say President Obama is spinning the likely impact of 'sequester' cuts to pressure Republicans to replace them, but private-sector forecasts suggest that a loss of 750,000 jobs may not be far off.