China Speeds Yuan PushA1

Technology

Why Tech Firms Find Washington Allies LateA2

Facebook is the latest Silicon Valley behemoth to conclude that is good business to have friends in Washington.

U.S. News

No More Dancing in Denver's StreetsA3

An $800,000 overhaul of downtown Denver's traffic lights has touched off a bout of nostalgia here, as the city does away with a quirky street-crossing tradition known as the Barnes Dance.

U.S. News

First Lady's Jet, Plane Fly Too CloseA3

A White House jet with First Lady Michelle Obama aboard flew closer than permitted to an Air Force cargo plane and had to break off its approach to land at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington.

Economy

Obama, Geithner Optimistic on BudgetA4

Obama and Geithner expressed confidence that Washington would solve its budget problems, seeking to tamp down concern over a credit-rating report that questioned the country's long-term fiscal health.

• Geithner: We'll Hash Out a Budget Deal

Politics

Trump Candidacy Gaining GroundA4

Dismissed just days ago as self-promotion, Donald Trump's flirtation with a White House run appears to be picking up steam as he moves toward establishing the rudiments of a campaign.

• News Hub: Trump Momentum Worrying GOP
• Vote: Could Trump win the GOP nomination?

Business

Justices Skeptical in Emissions CaseA5

A six-state lawsuit seeking to cap greenhouse gas emissions from power plants nationwide seemed likely to fail Tuesday, after Supreme Court justices suggested that recent federal action to slow climate change left no room for separate litigation.

U.S. News

Mobile-Home Deaths Raise Safety IssueA5

Last weekend's outbreak of tornadoes proved particularly deadly for mobile-home residents, prompting lawmakers and emergency-management officials to renew their focus on the contentious issue of the structures' safety in storms.

Real Estate

Housing Starts Remain SubduedA5

U.S. home construction in March bounced back from the previous month's very low levels, but overall numbers for the troubled sector remained weak.

Business

Potential Oil-Spill Plaintiffs Race to Hit DeadlineA6

Thousands of potential new plaintiffs are clamoring to New Orleans federal court before a court-issued deadline Wednesday to make filings preserving the right to sue companies involved in last year's massive oil spill in the Gulf.

• Small Oil Companies Stay in Gulf's Waters

Business

Spill's Toll on Oil Output Grows ClearerA6

One year after the BP oil spill, Gulf of Mexico energy output is beginning to show the impact of the Obama administration's 10-month freeze on deep-water drilling.

• Potential Oil-Spill Plaintiffs Race to Hit Deadline
• Drilling Regulator Struggles to Add Inspectors

Health Industry

FDA Heightens Painkiller OversightA6

The FDA said it will require some painkiller manufacturers to produce new educational tools in an effort to quell prescription-drug abuse.

U.S. News

U.S. WatchA6

Today's U.S. Watch

Middle East News

Protesters Defy Syrian RulerA8

More than 10,000 protesters marched toward a central square in Homs, north of the capital of Damascus, for the funerals of four protesters killed there overnight in clashes with security forces.

• Map: Middle East Turmoil

Asia News

Removal of Radioactive Water StartsA8

Workers began removing radioactive water from one of the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex, a long-delayed step that could prevent further toxic ocean spills.

Middle East News

Egyptian Panel Raises Death TollA9

At least 846 Egyptians died in the nearly three-week-long popular uprising that toppled long-serving President Hosni Mubarak.

Asia News

Asian Nations Defer Decision on DamA9

Laos has deferred a decision on erecting in the first dam on the lower Mekong River in the face of strong opposition from neighboring countries including Vietnam.

• Photos: Mekong River Project Delayed

Latin America News

Cuba New Guard Borrows From OldA10

Cuba's ruling Communist Party named President Raúl Castro as its new leader and chose an aging former guerilla for second-in-command, dashing hopes the party might choose younger politicians to implement key reforms.

Europe News

Kurds Threaten Boycott of Turkey PollA10

Protesters clashed with police in cities across Turkey after several parliamentary candidates, mostly Kurds, were disqualified from June ballots, while the main Kurdish party threatened a boycott.

Asia News

Singapore Plans Election for MayA10

Singapore dissolved parliament Tuesday and set May 7 as the date for a general election in which the ruling party is expected to face its toughest political challenge in decades.

World News

World WatchA10

Europe News

Italian Gains Support in Central Bank RaceA11

German finance officials are warming to the candidacy of Mario Draghi for ECB president, potentially removing a hurdle to his ascendancy to one of the world's most important central-banking jobs.

Europe Business News

Euro-Zone Economy ExpandsA11

Early data for April show the euro-zone economy is expanding more strongly than many expected and inflation pressures are continuing to build, the latest sign that the European Central Bank may raise interest rates again soon.

Economy

Portugal Proceeds on BailoutA11

Portugal's main opposition leader and electoral front-runner said a bailout pact with the EU and IMF will likely be set in the coming weeks, giving the next government little room for negotiations.