From Wall Street traders to car dealers to home buyers‚ Americans are eager for the Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates and lightening the heavy burden on borrowers. The Fed is widely expected to do so this year — probably several times. Inflation‚ as measured by its preferred gauge‚ rose in the second half of 2023 at an annual rate of about 2% — the Fed’s target level. Yet this week‚ several central bank officials underscored that they weren’t ready to pull the trigger just yet...

A pair of unusual moves from two House Republicans drew attention in GOP circles this week: Speaker Mike Johnson’s reported plans to endorse hard-right Rep. Matt Rosendale’s bid for Senate in Montana on Thursday‚ and Rosendale’s vote on Tuesday in favor of a standalone bill to provide aid to Israel pushed by Johnson. Rosendale had been vocally opposed to an Israel aid bill since Johnson announced last weekend that he would put one on the floor. And Johnson wasn’t expected to back...

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Thursday he had removed his top general in the most significant leadership shake-up since Russia invaded Ukraine almost two years ago. While praising Gen. Valery Zaluzhny‚ the commander who has led the nation’s war effort for two years‚ Mr. Zelensky said “urgent changes” were needed to ensure victory. “Starting today‚ a new management team will take over the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine‚” Mr. Zelensky said in an evening address...