WSJ What’s News

P.M. Edition for May 16. The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer-sentiment index fell to 50.8 in May. WSJ economics reporter Chao Deng says the data surprised economists, and reflect fears of higher prices driven by sweeping tariffs. And higher education reporter Sara Randazzo says President Trump's funding cuts have delivered a broad hit to universities from the Ivy League to state schools. Plus, Boeing will avoid prosecution over violating an earlier criminal settlement under a tentative deal with the Justice Department. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 16. We'll get the latest from White House reporter Alex Leary in the United Arab Emirates as President Trump winds down a four-day trip to the Middle East. Plus, a veteran FAA air-traffic controller, shaken after averting a midair collision, opens up about stress, staffing and tech problems. And with two weeks until hurricane season, the new head of FEMA admits to not having a fully formed disaster-response plan. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 15. The retail giant plans to raise prices this month and early this summer, when tariff-affected merchandise hits its store shelves. WSJ reporter Sarah Nassauer says its price hikes could set the tone for other U.S. retailers. And Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks of a new strategy for the central bank, given that very low interest rates are not guaranteed. Plus, financial crime and regulation reporter Dylan Tokar follows the trail of the Chinese money-launderers depositing bags of drug cartel cash at banks around the United States. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 15. President Trump claims India has offered to charge no tariffs on U.S. goods as trade talks between the European Union and Washington also speed up. WSJ reporter Joe Wallace says those signs of progress in negotiations come as transpacific trade begins to roar back to life. Plus, the Supreme Court prepares to hold a hearing on Trump's bid to abolish birthright citizenship. And hopes for Ukraine-Russia peace talks crumble as Vladimir Putin turns down a face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 14. The U.S. president has fired the librarian of Congress and is seeking to install members of his administration. National political reporter Ken Thomas describes the power struggle between the branches of government. And Saudi Arabia's national oil company, Aramco, says it has signed 34 agreements with U.S. companies with a potential value of $90 billion. Plus, Ukraine and Russia can't agree on who will meet where— if at all —for peace talks, scheduled for Thursday. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 14. We head to a gathering of top global retailers to hear why this week's 90-day tariff rollback by the U.S. and China isn't delivering the long-term certainty businesses are looking for. Plus, President Trump met with the new president of Syria, marking a major turning point in global recognition of the country's leadership. And the U.S. reverses Biden-era export controls on advanced AI chips. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 13. Companies seek to access foreign-trade zones as they navigate rising U.S. tariffs. WSJ news associate Owen Tucker-Smith reports on how the country's roughly 260 foreign-trade zones allow them to defer tariffs on imported goods and materials, for a while. And the latest consumer-price index showed prices rose 2.3% in the 12 months through April, slowing from a 2.4% rate a month earlier. Economics reporter Chao Deng considers U.S. tariffs' effects on that price growth. Plus, President Trump announced an end to sanctions on Syria during the first of a four-day trip to the Middle East. The move would give Syria's new rulers a financial lifeline. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 13. President Trump landed in Riyadh this morning, his first stop on a regional visit during which Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, plan to announce dozens of business agreements with the U.S. WSJ foreign correspondent Stephen Kalin previews what to expect and deputy Middle East bureau chief Shayndi Raice explains why Israel is questioning a slew of recent moves by its ally. Plus, United Airlines tries to reassure the flying public as travel issues mount at its New Jersey hub. And the world's top auction houses hope 20th century masters can help the art market shrug off economic uncertainty. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 P.M. Edition for May 12. U.S. stocks rallied today—with the Nasdaq entering a bull market, closing 20% above its April low—after the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily unwind most of the tariffs they have imposed on each other's goods since April. Plus, President Trump signs an executive order intended to lower U.S. drug prices. WSJ White House correspondent Natalie Andrews joins to discuss the order and what it means for consumers. And the retail-property market, which had bounced back after the pandemic, is starting to fall flat. Kate King, who covers real estate for the Journal, talks about why that is and what it means for the broader state of the retail industry. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 12. Washington and Beijing take a major step toward thawing their trade conflict by agreeing to lower tariffs on each other's goods by 115%. WSJ reporter Jason Douglas recaps the results of weekend talks and explains which issues the two sides still need to sort out. Plus, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order today tying U.S. drug prices to what other countries pay. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenges Russian President Vladimir Putin to meet him for peace talks this week. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Ankara is the capital of Turkey. An earlier version of this podcast said Istanbul was the country's capital. (Corrected on May 13) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're bringing you an episode of Bold Names, which presents conversations with the leaders of the bold-named companies featured in the pages of The Wall Street Journal. On this episode, hosts Tim Higgins and Christopher Mims speak to Peter Jackson, the CEO of Flutter Entertainment, who leads a global sports betting empire. With the U.S.-based FanDuel as its crown jewel, he has a prime view of one of the fastest-growing and most profitable entertainment industries in the world. How is Flutter using technology to supercharge sports betting, while grappling with its potential harms?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Disney's Middle East expansion wow investors? And how is steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs slowing down its operations? Plus, how did Boeing benefit from the U.S.-U.K. trade agreement? Host Francesca Fontana 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 9. In a social-media post, President Trump said lowering tariffs on Chinese goods to 80% “seems right.” Meanwhile, Beijing moved to enforce restrictions on exports of rare-earth metals before this weekend's talks in Switzerland. But when it comes to the future of electric motors, that might not matter; WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims tells us about one startup that's using iron and steel instead. Plus, Newark Liberty International Airport suffers its second tech outage in two weeks. Victoria Craig hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 9. Chinese exports to the U.S. plunged in April as the Trump administration's tariff assault forced the world's second-largest economy to redirect more of its goods to other markets. Plus, President Trump resurrects a proposed ‘millionaire tax' despite opposition from congressional Republicans. And correspondent Sune Rasmussen explains how European authorities are struggling to respond to a new generation of young extremists being radicalized online. Luke Varg as hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 8. Who is Robert Francis Prevost, the Catholic Church's 267th pontiff? WSJ reporter Drew Hinshaw answers that question from Vatican City. Plus: the U.S. agrees to a new trade deal with the U.K.—while the European Union draws up a list of American tariff targets. WSJ's Kim Mackrael has the details from Brussels. And, the Federal Aviation Administration could modernize the nation's air-traffic control system in the next few years, but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says Congress needs to front the funding. Victoria Craig hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 8. In a first since President Trump's ‘Liberation Day' tariff announcements, the U.S. is expected to announce a framework of a trade deal with the United Kingdom. Correspondent Max Colchester explains that despite the likely straightforward nature of the agreement, it hints at the White House's broader strategy. Plus, why tariff whiplash is spurring some central banks to cut rates, even as the Fed stands pat. And President Trump looks to cement his ‘Make America Healthy Again' agenda with his pick for surgeon general. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 7. Despite political pressure from President Trump, the Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady today. WSJ chief economics commentator Greg Ip explains how tariff uncertainty factored into their decision. And Disney seeks a foothold in the Middle East with an upcoming theme park in Abu Dhabi. WSJ entertainment reporter Ben Fritz has details on the company's ambitions. Plus, investigations reporter Katherine Long tells us what U.S. spy agencies are after in Greenland. Victoria Craig hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Episode for May 7. Big automakers are bracing for tariffs. General Motors, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla say they're strategizing to address possible price increases and supply-chain disruptions. Automotive regulatory reporter Ryan Felton analyzes the latest earnings results from car companies to explain what they're doing and what it could mean for customers. Julia Carpenter hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies' earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what's going on under the hood of the American economy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 7. India says it conducted military strikes on sites in Pakistan in retaliation for a deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir last month. Journal South Asia bureau chief Tripti Lahiri assesses the risk of the conflict intensifying. Plus, in one of the first signs of detente since the U.S. and China announced tariffs, top Trump administration officials head to Switzerland to meet with Beijing's economic czar, with both countries facing pressure to re-engage in trade talks. And Cardinals kick off a tense election to select a new pope. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 6. A series of tech problems has exposed cracks in U.S. air-traffic control systems. WSJ aviation safety reporter Andrew Tangel discusses what it would take to fix them. Plus, President Trump says he's reached a truce with the Houthi militant group in Yemen. And America's trade deficit hit a record in March, as businesses stocked up ahead of the sweeping tariffs Trump imposed the following month. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 6. Germany enters a period of political uncertainty as Friedrich Merz, winner of the recent election, fails to secure enough support in a first-round vote in parliament to be confirmed as the country's next chancellor. Plus, the WSJ s peaks to Harvard's President as the White House cuts off the university from new federal funding. And new details emerge about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's widespread use of Signal for official Pentagon business. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 5. The Oracle of Omaha's move after a 60-year run will be a moment of reckoning for the company he built. WSJ deputy markets editor Justin Baer discusses how Berkshire Hathaway's new leadership will navigate that. Plus, a study out today shows that Beijing's “Made in China 2025” plan helped its homegrown companies close the technology gap with the West. We hear from the Journal's chief China correspondent Lingling Wei about the implications for American tariff negotiations with China. And the Trump administration plans to offer $1,000 payments for migrants illegally in the U.S. to leave the country. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Episode for May 5. Consumers are in belt-tightening mode. Many are buying less, reconsidering their purchases and feeling rattled by volatile markets and the Trump administration's shape-shifting tariff policies. For soda makers like Pepsi and restaurant chains like McDonald's, those are worrisome developments. So how are they responding? WSJ reporter Laura Cooper discusses what companies are saying in earnings reports and analyst calls. Chip Cutter hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings looking at what's going on under the hood of the American economy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 5. Warren Buffett marks the calendar for his departure from Berkshire Hathaway, announcing his handpicked successor will take the reins next year. Plus, the ‘Trump factor' propels another left-leaning leader to a surprise election victory, this time in Australia. And WSJ South America bureau chief Juan Forero explains how production advances and long-distance smuggling vessels are transforming the global cocaine trade. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will the Federal Reserve cut interest rates this year? How is Fed Chair Jerome Powell and central bankers thinking about recent volatility in financial markets? This week, we're bringing you an episode of WSJ's Take On the Week, where hosts Telis Demos and Gunjan Banerji talk to the people closest to the hot topics in markets to get incisive analysis on the big trades, key players in finance and business news. Gunjan and Telis talk to Rob Kaplan, vice chairman at Goldman Sachs and former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, about the central bank's tough task ahead to lower inflation. They also dive into President Trump's recent remarks about Powell and the Fed independence debate. If you like this episode, check out more of WSJ's Take On the Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do a Chinese company's AI chip efforts affect Nvidia? And what's the trade-war takeaway from this week's tech earnings? Plus, how is economic uncertainty affecting McDonald's customers? Host Francesca Fontana 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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 2. President Trump wants to establish near absolute American power over global trade rules, with Trump personally at the center of it all. WSJ reporter Gavin Bade discusses the administration's strategy—and the risks that come with it. And Harvard's president fights back against Trump's threat to revoke its tax-exempt status, saying any such move would be "highly illegal." Plus, the U.S. added 177,000 jobs in April despite tariff uncertainty. Chief economics commentator Greg Ip discusses whether such gains can last. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 2. The EU floats buying more than $50 billion in American goods to address U.S. trade complaints, while China says it's weighing starting talks with Washington. Plus, at the tail end of busy earnings week, Arete Research's Richard Kramer discusses big tech's ability to weather prevailing uncertainty. And bettors pour millions into prediction markets to try their hand at guessing who'll be the next pope. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for May 1. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will fill the role on an interim basis. President Trump announced that he will nominate Waltz—the first top official to lose his job in Trump's second term—as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. White House reporter Meridith McGraw discusses the significance of the staffing shuffle. And aviation reporter Andrew Tangel has the details on Trump's decision to commission an interim presidential plane by year's end, frustrated with Boeing's delay to deliver a new Air Force One. Plus, a U.S. federal judge deems the president's use of the Alien Enemies Act to allow deportations unlawful. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for May 1. After months of negotiations, several false starts, and a testy White House meeting, the U.S. reaches a deal with Ukraine to give Washington access to the country's mineral wealth. Jane Lytvynenko has the details from Kyiv. Plus, a Journal report reveals Tesla's board began searching for Elon Musk's successor about a month ago. And markets reporter Chelsey Dulaney explains how the rush to get goods to the U.S. ahead of President Trump's tariffs is distorting global trade and economic data. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 30. New data out today showed that the U.S. gross domestic product fell in its steepest decline since 2022. We hear from WSJ economics correspondent Harriet Torry about what this data, along with other metrics out today, say about the overall health of the economy. Plus, a growing number of companies are yanking their profit guidance for the coming quarter amid economic uncertainty. WSJ reporter Chip Cutter joins to discuss what this means for these companies and their investors. And a federal judge orders the release of a Columbia University student who was detained by the Trump administration. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 30. Chinese export orders and factory activity plummet as trade war damage begins to pile up. Plus, President Trump talks up his tariffs, even as voters' economic concerns mount. WSJ White House reporter Alex Leary looks back on the president's first 100 days in office. And Starbucks turns to tech to tackle unpopular in-store wait times. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 29. In the face of rising tariffs, the country's biggest retailers are trying everything to keep prices low. But WSJ reporter Shane Shifflett says they warn that higher prices may be difficult to avoid and that certain products could become scarce. And Amazon plays down a report that it was considering displaying the impact of tariffs during its online checkout process after President Trump called the company's founder Jeff Bezos. Plus, BP once aimed to lead the shift to renewables. Energy reporter Matthew Dalton says it's now doubling down on fossil fuel production in the U.S. Pierre Bienaimé hosts.Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Episode for April 29. Every U.S. manufacturer faces increased costs because of import tariffs and other countries' countermeasures, but those making weapons have reason to be both worried and hopeful. WSJ Investing columnist Spencer Jakab discusses with WSJ reporter Sharon Terlep what Northrop Grumman, RTX, General Dynamics, Boeing and other defense companies have reported for their first quarter earnings and what that means for the sector and the broader U.S. economy.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 29. Former central bank governor Mark Carney leads his Liberal Party to a fourth term in office following a remarkable political turnaround. In a victory speech, Carney said Canadians were over the betrayal of Donald Trump's tariffs, but that he was ready to negotiate with the president on new trade and security pacts. Plus, WSJ's Stephen Wilmot says President Trump is expected to adjust planned auto tariffs so car companies aren't hit by overlapping levies. And a new study from KPMG and the University of Melbourne finds that more people are using AI at work, despite growing distrust in the technology. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 28. As countries scramble to appease President Trump over tariffs, they are turning to Goldman Sachs for guidance. WSJ reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins to discuss what advice the nations are getting. Plus, President Trump has taken aim at universities in recent months; now, a number of elite universities are banding together to resist his actions. We hear from WSJ higher education reporter Doug Belkin about how they are going about it. And President Trump is set to sign an executive order that would create a nationwide list of sanctuary cities and states in an effort to target Democratic jurisdictions that don't cooperate with immigration enforcement. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 28. Huawei is developing a new AI chip that aims to rival high-end offerings from U.S. semiconductor giant Nvidia. WSJ tech reporter Liza Lin says that although Huawei's Ascend 910D chip is still in the early stages of development, it shows the resilience of China's semiconductor industry. Plus, Canadians head to the polls to decide the country's next leader amidst economic turbulence and outside pressure from President Trump over trade and security. And elite universities form a private collective to push back against the White House. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At home and abroad, America's approach to public health is changing rapidly. Tens of thousands of federal health workers are poised to lose their jobs and foreign aid cuts are interrupting programs touching everything from malaria prevention to the treatment of HIV. But along with cuts, new programs and priorities are rising up in their place. Journal health business editor Jonathan Rockoff and senior writer Betsy McKay look at what's changing and how this will affect lives around the world. Luke Vargas hosts.  Further Reading:  Health Department Begins Sweeping Job Cuts RFK Jr. Plans 10,000 Job Cuts in Major Restructuring of Health Department Trump Administration Weighing Major Cuts to Funding for Domestic HIV Prevention Johns Hopkins Slashes More Than 2,000 Jobs Due to USAID Cuts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Capital One's merger news please investors? And how are tariffs worrying consumer conglomerates like Procter & Gamble? Plus, how Google parent Alphabet's financials are holding up–for now. Host Francesca Fontana 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 .  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 25. WSJ chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos considers the economic consequences of how the central bank's relationship to the White House is perceived. And economics correspondent Harriet Torry looks at the latest drop in U.S. consumer confidence. Plus, a Milwaukee judge's arrest marks a major escalation of the Trump administration's clash with local officials over deportations. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 25. President Trump directs the Justice Department to investigate the ActBlue fundraising platform, in an extraordinary effort to take on the opposing party. This as the administration faces a fresh round of legal challenges to its policies. Plus, CEO's sound the alarm over tariff-induced uncertainty. And after the Trump administration pledges to curb a transition to renewable energy, the U.S. and Europe present contrasting ideas on energy security. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 24. Chinese officials call for full repeal of levies and dismiss suggestions that trade talks with Washington have begun. WSJ Asia economic reporter Jason Douglas says President Trump's apparent softening on tariffs against China strengthens Chinese leaders' resolve that he will eventually cave if they wait him out. Plus, U.S. home sales fell 5.9% in March, their biggest drop since 2022. WSJ reporter Nicole Friedman joins to discuss what's behind the fall that comes at the start of the crucial spring season. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hopes to address a labor shortage with teenage workers. WSJ reporter Tali Arbel discusses how Florida might remove the barriers for teenage workers. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices