Wsj What's News

P.M. Edition for April 8. The U.S.- Iran ceasefire is fragile, with divisions over the Strait of Hormuz and other key issues. WSJ national security reporter Shelby Holliday explains what’s at stake in the Middle East. Stocks rally and oil prices plunge after the ceasefire. WSJ markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang tells us about the latest TACO trade. Plus, economists are getting worse at forecasting one of the most important economic indicators. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman tells us what’s throwing off their models, and why it matters for investors. Imani Moise hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April 8. The U.S. and Iran have reached a 14-day ceasefire agreement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pausing weeks of escalating military strikes. With Tehran touting the deal as a strategic win, WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin details what we know about the truce and whether the Strait is in fact reopening. Plus, how markets – and central banks – are responding to the U.S. and Iran walking back from the brink. And Republicans beat back a Democratic push to win Marjorie Taylor Green’s House seat. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Correction: India’s central bank is called the Reserve Bank of India. An earlier version of this podcast incorrectly referred to it as the Royal Bank of India. (Corrected on April 9) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for April 7. Ahead of his 8 p.m. ET deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump’s escalating rhetoric has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle—and put investors on edge. Plus, a growing number of U.S. workers over the age of 55 are retiring—sometimes earlier than they expected—because they don’t want to learn how to use AI. Wall Street Journal reporter Ray Smith discusses. And Intel is teaming up with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, xAI and Tesla to operate an ambitious new chip plant in Texas. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April 7. With markets holding their breath ahead of President Trump’s deadline to bombard Iran’s infrastructure if it doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, National Bank of Belgium Governor Pierre Wunsch explains how policymakers are coping with the ripple effects of the war. Plus, Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital offers to buy Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company and record label behind Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny. And Journal marketing reporter Patrick Coffee says some brands are adding ‘no AI’ disclaimers to advertisements to stand out amongst the slop. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for April 6. New research shows that the upper middle class has tripled in size over the last 50 years. Economics reporter Rachel Ensign explains what’s helping people move up the income ladder. Plus, Iran has rejected a cease-fire proposal from the U.S. a day before President Trump’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And OpenAI and Anthropic are both expected to go public later this year. Journal reporter Berber Jin takes a deep dive into their finances and finds their Achilles’ heel is the soaring costs needed to train new AI models. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April 6. In an interview, President Trump says he could strike every power plant in Iran if Tehran doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday evening. WSJ correspondent Dov Lieber says that threat comes as both the U.S. and Israel step up attacks on Iran’s infrastructure. Plus, PepsiCo and Diageo pull their sponsorship of a major London music festival after Kanye West is booked as a headliner. And geopolitics reporter Jon Emont explains how the Trump administration's decision to push trade partners to use cheese names that the EU claims for itself is raising a stink in Europe. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why are oil prices and oil stocks moving in opposite directions? And are megadeals a recipe for buyer’s remorse? Plus, get ready for one of the biggest IPO of all time. Host Imani Moise discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for April 3. WSJ senior video and national security correspondent Shelby Holliday gives us the latest on the F-15E fighter jet and its missing crew member. A second American warplane was hit; the pilot is safe after flying out of Iranian territory and ejecting from the aircraft. Plus, the U.S. economy added 178,000 jobs in March, far exceeding expectations. We hear from Journal economics reporter Matt Grossman about the economy’s bright spots. And in the months since Nicolás Maduro’s ouster, prospective investors have been visiting Venezuela. WSJ South America bureau chief Juan Forero talks about the risks they’re taking. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April 3. Tehran is responding to the threat of possible U.S. military action on its soil by stepping up defenses around its biggest oil port and launching a mass recruitment drive reminiscent of its 1980s war with Iraq. Plus, WSJ reporter Hannah Erin Lang discusses how investing platform Public hopes to gain more users by offering AI agents that can help put their brokerage accounts on autopilot. And WSJ data reporter Inti Pacheco breaks down how tariffs, bad weather and commodities trading is making coffee more expensive. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for April 2. Bondi’s ouster caps a tumultuous tenure as head of the Justice Department. Journal reporter Ryan Barber discusses why she’s been pushed out, and who will replace her. Plus, Blue Owl—the poster child for private credit—is the latest fund to limit redemptions as investors seek to pull their money. We hear from WSJ credit reporter Matt Wirz about what this means for investors in the long and short term. And despite positive recent sales numbers from Tesla and Rivian, EV sales in the U.S. more broadly aren’t rising. As big U.S. automakers have scrapped their more ambitious EV plans, dozens of EV-parts factories are sitting empty or barely used. Journal autos reporter Sharon Terlep recently visited one of these factories and tells us about what amounts to a whole new Rust Belt. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April 2. In a prime-time address to the nation roughly a month into the Iran war, President Trump claims the conflict is nearing an end, even as he says major attacks are still to come. WSJ national security correspondent Shelby Holliday breaks down what Trump said—and didn’t say—about how Washington plans to resolve the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, the weight-loss pill battle begins after Eli Lilly’s Foundayo wins U.S. regulatory approval. And reporter Jeanne Whalen explains how nursing could be the new ticket to the elusive American middle class. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for April 1. Elon Musk’s company has filed confidential paperwork with regulators to go public, with shares listed this summer. WSJ reporter Corrie Driebusch explains why that timing is critical for the company’s long-awaited stock market debut. Plus, Anthropic is scrambling to contain the fallout after it accidentally exposed source code behind its popular AI agent app Claude Code. Journal tech reporter Sam Schechner joins to discuss what this means for the company that’s built its reputation on security. And President Trump trades barbs with Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz, even as he threatens to take the U.S. out of NATO. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April. 1. After sustaining Iranian attacks for weeks, WSJ Middle East editor Andrew Dowell says the United Arab Emirates is working to persuade the U.S. and others to open the key Strait of Hormuz by any means necessary. Plus, the Supreme Court prepares to take on Trump’s efforts to limit U.S. citizenship – a case that’s pushing his relationship with the court to the brink. And Washington scores a major win in its race against Beijing for critical minerals in Africa. But as Alexandra Wexler Snow tells us, exporting cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is easier said than done. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for Mar. 31. The U.S. stock market caps off a tough quarter with a huge rally. WSJ markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang says there’s one big factor driving the turbulent trades. Plus, businesses paid $166 billion in illegal tariffs. WSJ legal affairs reporter Louise Radnofsky explains how uncertainty over refunds is leaving many companies in a cash crunch. And Unilever and McCormick strike a deal to create a giant new condiments company. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for Mar. 31. Regular unleaded gasoline crosses the $4 a gallon threshold for the first time since August 2022, and is now up more than a dollar since the start of the war with Iran. Plus, with higher energy costs and the worst quarter for stocks in four years, WSJ markets reporter Sam Goldfarb discusses why bonds aren’t proving to be the safe havens many investors hoped for. And Washington moves to tax millionaires, as the tax divide between blue states and red states widens. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for Mar. 30. The Labor Department proposed a new rule that would make it easier to invest in private markets through 401(k)s. It comes as investors pull money from some private-credit funds. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen explains the risks. Plus, last year OpenAI hyped up its new AI video product, Sora. So why did it abruptly pull the plug last week? WSJ tech reporter Berber Jin tells us. And the CEO of Air Canada is stepping down after he offered condolences for the LaGuardia Airport crash in English and not in French. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for Mar. 30. President Trump is considering using U.S. troops to extract uranium from Iran. WSJ national security correspondent Shelby Holliday discusses the expanding list of military options available to the president now that the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is in the region. Plus, with its energy links to the Gulf disrupted, Europe looks for new sources of gas with questions over whether the U.S. can be a reliable supplier. And why airports may take time to return to normal even as TSA workers begin receiving delayed paychecks. Luke Vargas hosts.  Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI agents—artificial-intelligence tools that can perform real-world tasks—are the buzziest thing in Silicon Valley. Some businesses and individuals are already using them, and the next generation of agents like OpenClaw could be even more promising. But they also come with significant risks. WSJ tech reporter Isabelle Bousquette joins host Alex Ossola to discuss how agentic AI is being used now and how it could be used in the future. Further Reading:  China’s OpenClaw Craze Buoys Tech Stocks, Fuels AI Pivot  The World’s First Viral AI Assistant Has Arrived, and Things Are Getting Weird  This Viral AI Project Went From Side Hustle to Coveted Prize in Three Months Nvidia Software Aims to Bring OpenClaw to the Enterprise  Silicon Valley’s New Obsession: Watching Bots Do Their Grunt Work Mark Zuckerberg Is Building an AI Agent to Help Him Be CEO Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why are last year’s market darlings falling out of favor? And is Big Tech having its “Big Tobacco Moment”? Plus, how energy stock gains translate to broader economic pain. Host Imani Moise discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

P.M. Edition for Mar. 27. President Trump directs federal officials to pay TSA workers, bypassing a gridlocked Congress. Plus, the Dow joins the Nasdaq in correction territory, meaning both indexes are down 10% from recent highs. What’s News in Markets host Imani Moise says investors expect more pain from the war in the Middle East. WSJ chief foreign-affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov joins from Dubai to discuss how countries in the Gulf are growing more hawkish on Iran. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.