PRESS DIGEST -Wall Street Journal - March 16

March 16 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories in the Wall Street Journal. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- The Boston-based private-equity provider Bain Capital will pay more than $349 million to acquire an Australian wealth-management business from local investment manager Perpetual PPT.AX.

- U.S. oil CEOs told Trump officials that the energy crisis sparked by the Iran war is set to worsen, warning that continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will keep global energy markets volatile.

- Lynas Rare Earths LYC.AX has reached a preliminary agreement with the Pentagon on a $96 million, four-year supply deal that includes a floor price for some key rare earths used in fighter jets, missile systems and other defense technologies.

- Top executives of major carriers, including Delta Air Lines DAL.N, American Airlines AAL.O and Southwest Airlines LUV.N, are urging Congress to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and pass bills guaranteeing that air-traffic controllers and airport security officers get paid during government shutdowns.