The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Noel A. Albano / The Spectator One would expect the strapping Anthony Davis, the New Orleans’ Pelicans sophomore center who plays with the poise of a veteran, to be closer to the basket. Dunking an alley-oop, maybe, which was temptingly spectacular but risky. But with just over one second left, they didn’t have the luxury of time.

Youkyung Lee / AP Technology Writer Seoul— South Korean electronics giant Samsung Electronics Co. has started domestic sales of high-end televisions powered by its Tizen operating system and plans to add washing machines, fridges and other appliances to the range of products that use the software.

A survey has found that technology gifts top the charts as the most desired Valentine’s Day presents this year, with over 42 per cent of people wanting some form of gadget from their partner.

Michael Liedtke / AP Technology Writer San Francisco—Technology’s big-spending trio of Google, Facebook, and Amazon.com appear to be tightening their belts—at least a notch—in a concession to cost-conscious investors and a strong dollar that’s taking a big bite out of their revenue.

Tokyo—College-educated and gainfully employed 36-year-old Eriko Sekiguchi should be a sought after friend or date, planning nights on the town and faraway resort vacations. But she works in Japan, a nation where workaholic habits die hard.

Athens—The pressure on Greece’s new government to reach a deal with bailout creditors had ratcheted up as Standard & Poor’s cut its credit rating on Greece further into junk status and warned of the country›s possible exit from the 19-nation eurozone.

Washington—Sen. John McCain, who seems to revel in the occasional lonely crusade, is now taking on America’s maritime industry and the longstanding law barring foreign-built ships from transporting goods within the United States.

Washington—The job market remains a frustrating place for America’s 9 million unemployed—perhaps more so as hiring has accelerated along with job postings.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Saudi Arabia’s new monarch isn’t wasting time. Since assuming the throne Jan. 23, King Salman has elevated some of his closest relatives and sidelined previous power-brokers, tightened decision-making and promised lavish payouts designed to win early goodwill.

PUEBLO, Colorado—The United States is about to begin destroying its largest remaining stockpile of chemical-laden artillery shells, marking a milestone in the global campaign to eradicate a debilitating weapon that still creeps into modern wars.