Uncertain Leadership Strains Financial Overhaul

By BINYAMIN APPELBAUM

As temporary leaders overhaul regulations, concerns are rising about their vulnerability to political pressure.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

From left, Neal Wolin of the Treasury, Ben S. Bernanke, the Fed chairman, Sheila C. Bair, of the F.D.I.C., Mary L. Schapiro of the S.E.C., Gary Gensler of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and John Walsh, acting comptroller of the currency.

Disaster Plan Problems Found at U.S. Nuclear Plants

By MATTHEW L. WALD

A regulatory official said inspectors had found that some equipment installed after 9/11 to help American nuclear plants deal with emergencies was inoperable.

Japan Offers Help to Pay Plant Victims

By HIROKO TABUCHI 11:37 PM ET

The government’s plan would help the operator of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant survive, but it would not cap payouts that could run into the billions.

Japanese Reactor Damage Is Worse Than Expected

DealBook

In 21 months as United States attorney, Preet Bharara has made a major impact on corporate crime.

U.S. Attorney Sends a Message to Wall Street

By BENJAMIN WEISER and PETER LATTMAN

With Raj Rarajatnam's conviction for insider trading, Preet Bharara has signaled that the United States attorney in Manhattan is back as the sheriff of Wall Street.

More on the Galleon Trial »

U.S. Inquiry of Google on Drug Ads

By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER

Google said in a filing that it had set aside $500 million to pay a possible settlement of the inquiry.

Facebook Seeks to Downplay Campaign Against Google

I.R.S. Moves to Tax Gifts to Groups Active in Politics

By STEPHANIE STROM

Big donors may now owe gift taxes on their contributions to nonprofit advocacy groups that are playing an increasing role in American politics.

General Motors mapped its potential part shortages in a windowless conference room that employees call the War Room.

Piecing Together a Supply Chain

By NICK BUNKLEY

After Japan’s earthquake, General Motors identified 118 products that it needed to monitor for shortages; it has resolved issues with all but five.

DealBook: G.M. Stock Sale Likely to Be Later Than Expected

Oil executives before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday. From left, John S. Watson of Chevron, Marvin E. Odum of Shell's U.S. division, H. Lamar McKay of BP America, James J. Mulva of ConocoPhillips, and Rex W. Tillerson of Exxon Mobile.

Oil Executives, Defending Tax Breaks, Say They’d Cede Them if Everyone Did

By JOHN M. BRODER 11:37 PM ET

Executives of five of the largest oil companies said the $2.1 billion they received annually in tax breaks were legitimate tax deductions.

Harvey Weinstein is co-chairman of the Weinstein Company with his brother, Bob.

Weinstein Co. Says It’s Back With Cannes Festival Event

By BROOKS BARNES 9:07 PM ET

After financial troubles and good reviews from “The King’s Speech,” the Weinstein Company is lining up new films.

New Ways to Exploit Raw Data May Bring Surge of Innovation, a Study Says

By STEVE LOHR 9:07 PM ET

Data is a vital raw material of the information economy, but the business world is just beginning to learn how to process it all.

Insight & Analysis

High & Low Finance

Mighty Determined Sellers

By FLOYD NORRIS 11:38 PM ET

The publisher of Penthouse magazine and the United States Treasury find themselves in similar stock-sale situations this week.

Advertising

Good/Corps Aims to Help Business Meet Social Goals

By ANDREW ADAM NEWMAN

The new agency advises companies on philanthropic efforts variously known as cause marketing, social impact marketing and corporate social responsibility.

DealBook

Gloom and Doom, and How to Profit From It

By AZAM AHMED

Big investors gathered at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas to hear how "the West is bankrupt and failing, and it's just a matter of when," as one panelist put it.

Economix Blog

Building Wealth Through Renting

By DAVID LEONHARDT 2:47 PM ET

A Fed economist's study offers a rebuttal to the conventional wisdom that owning a home is building equity for your future, while renting is money wasted.

DealBook

A Deeper Look at LinkedIn's Structure

By STEVEN M. DAVIDOFF

Beyond its dual-class stock, LinkedIn has adopted other restrictive measures of corporate governance as the company prepares for its initial public offering.

Bucks Blog

How Lowering the Cap for U.S.-Backed Mortgages Will Affect Home Buyers

By ANN CARRNS 1:31 PM ET

How lower limits on federally backed loans may affect a borrower's payments.

Economix Blog

Small Banks and Debit-Card Reform

By SIMON JOHNSON 1:47 PM ET

The Independent Community Bankers of America needs to explain why it opposes a limit on debit-card fees that would seem to benefit its members, an economist writes.