WSJ What’s News

by The Wall Street Journal
What's News brings you the biggest news of the day, from business and finance to global and political developments that move markets. Get caught up in minutes twice a day on weekdays, then take a step back with our What’s News in Markets wrap-up on Saturday and our What’s News Sunday deep dive.
Episodes
The Record-Breaking Stakes of the SpaceX IPO
SpaceX is gearing up for a blockbuster public debut that could be the biggest in Wall Street history and redefine the global space economy. But as the company evolves from a dominant rocket launcher into an AI-powered conglomerate, questions remain about its financial losses and its de facto monopoly on U.S. space ambitions. WSJ’s Corrie Driebusch and space reporter Micah Maidenberg join host Luke Vargas to break down the numbers behind the deal and what this massive infusion of capital means for the future of the cosmos. Further Reading See How SpaceX Is About to Eclipse Every Other Blockbuster IPO The Secrets Revealed in SpaceX’s IPO Filing Morgan Stanley Sees SpaceX’s Revenue Reaching $3.4 Trillion in 2040 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What’s News in Markets: AI Reality Check, Oil’s Tipping Point, Crypto Winter
Why did Broadcom's strong earnings trigger a chip selloff? And what does the standoff in the Middle East mean for oil prices? Plus, what’s bitcoin's value when no one is paying attention? 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Stocks Are Diving After a Strong May Jobs Report
P.M. Edition for June 5. The U.S. added 172,000 jobs in May, the third month in a row of steady gains. Economics reporter Matt Grossman explains why job-seekers may not be sharing that optimism. Plus, a sharp selloff in tech stocks led the Nasdaq to its worst day of 2026. What’s News in Markets host Imani Moise says investors are worried about higher interest rates and AI demand. And… a $419 hotel tab on a family vacation? DoorDash orders totaling $1,576? Scott Calvert discusses how public watchdogs are blowing the whistle on local officials’ spending, and why taxpayers are so angry about it. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthropic Calls for Global Pause in AI Development
A.M. Edition for June 5. Anthropic calls on top AI labs to consider slowing down their development. Tech reporter Sam Schechner discusses “recursive self-improvement,” when AI systems can improve on their own without human intervention. The FDA launches a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, potentially paving the way for the Trump administration to restrict its distribution and use. Liz Essley Whyte has the scoop. And Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun is taking a U.S. tour as Beijing urges Washington to rethink its support for Taipei. National security reporter Yoko Kubota breaks down the geopolitical context and the timing of the visit. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Statues Taken Down in 2020 Are Coming Back
P.M. Edition for June 4. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, cities across the U.S. removed monuments honoring Confederate generals, Founding Fathers and Christopher Columbus. Now, some people are fighting to restore them. Journal national affairs reporter Cameron McWhirter discusses why the statue wars have returned–and what’s different this time. Plus, some Russian elites are turning against the war with Ukraine. WSJ chief foreign affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov discusses what this means for Vladimir Putin. And many investors in Blackstone’s premier private-credit fund want their money out. Danny Lewis hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AI CEOs Warn of Biological Weapons Risk
A.M. Edition for June 4. The leaders of OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind are calling on Congress to pass a law protecting against biological threats posed by AI. Plus, a flesh-eating screwworm has arrived in the U.S., creating a headache for U.S. ranchers and livestock producers. And the Journal's Douglas Belkin explains why college professors are urging schools to reinstate entrance exams after years of looser policies. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Knicks Fans Priced Out of MSG Head to Texas for NBA Finals
P.M. Edition for June 3. Many New Yorkers looking to watch the Knicks play in the NBA Finals are finding themselves priced out of Madison Square Garden. We speak to Journal sports reporter Jared Diamond about what’s got prices so high, as well as a few Knicks fans who found it more cost-effective to travel to San Antonio to see their team play the Spurs. Plus, Meta launches artificial intelligence agents for businesses. WSJ tech reporter Meghan Bobrowsky discusses Meta’s enterprise ambitions. And, federal regulators are investigating whether former Congressman George Santos traded illegally on prediction markets. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
OECD Warns of Recessions If Iran War Drags On
A.M. Edition for June 3. Heavy gunfire between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf tests a fragile ceasefire, while the OECD warns of multiple global recessions if the conflict isn’t resolved by next year. Dow Jones economics editor Paul Hannon explains the risks and how the U.S.’ new proposed tariffs on 60 countries would work. And an Iowa farmer pulls off an unexpected upset against a Trump-backed candidate in the state's GOP gubernatorial primary. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump Names Housing Official as Acting Intelligence Head
P.M. Edition for June 2. President Trump has named Bill Pulte, leader of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence. WSJ White House reporter Natalie Andrews discusses how Pulte has urged investigations into the president’s perceived enemies and lawmakers’ criticism of his appointment. Plus, the Trump administration is abandoning its $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund after it drew broad condemnation from GOP lawmakers. And, we hear from Jason Zweig, who writes WSJ’s Intelligent Investor column, about how the year of the mega IPO is triggering changes by index providers—the firms that compile market averages like the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100–to accommodate these titanic deals. SpaceX, one of those massive IPOs, is eyeing a valuation of around $1.75 trillion. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alphabet Taps Investors to Fund Its AI Buildout
A.M. Edition for June 2. Google parent Alphabet plans to issue $80 billion in equity this year to pay for its massive spending tied to the AI race. Plus, California voters head to the polls in a closely-watched primary to choose Governor Gavin Newsom’s successor. And WSJ foreign correspondent Stephen Kalin details a new demand by President Trump complicating efforts to negotiate an end to the Iran war: that Arab states establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthropic Filing Heats Up a Blockbuster Year for IPOs
P.M. Edition for June 1. AI giant Anthropic has confidentially filed paperwork to go public, potentially as soon as this fall. WSJ Heard on the Street writer Asa Fitch discusses why it matters whether Anthropic or rival OpenAI make their stock market debut first. Plus, the Trump administration is signaling a retreat on its $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, which met powerful pushback from members of Congress. And the top two movies at the box office this weekend were horror films made by Gen Z filmmakers. We hear from Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz about whether this represents a new pathway for Hollywood hits. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
PCs Go Agentic
A.M. Edition for June 1. Nvidia unveils a next generation lineup of laptops and desktops designed to run AI agents. Plus, SoftBank leapfrogs Toyota to become Japan's most valuable company on news it will invest more than $50 billion in data centers in France. And Colombia lurches right, as voters back a presidential candidate pledging a major drugs crackdown. WSJ South America bureau chief Juan Forero says a potential win by firebrand Abelardo de la Espriella in a runoff later this month could hand President Trump another close ally in Latin America. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Everyone Is Talking About Peptides
Flawless skin. Thicker hair. A snatched jawline. Better sleep. These are some of the benefits social media users claim peptides can deliver. But many of these uses are not FDA-approved, and consumers are increasingly turning to the grey market. WSJ’s Sara Ashley O’Brien, who covers the business and culture of wellness, joins host Alex Ossola to discuss the reality behind the hype and the risks involved. Further Reading The Explosive Rise of Unapproved Peptide Injections Teen Boys and Young Men Are Injecting Peptides in Search of Perfection Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What’s News in Markets: Memory’s Gold Rush, Oil Slips, Ford Finds a New Lane
Are memory chips the new oil? And why are energy stocks getting the cold shoulder? Plus, how is Ford cashing in on the AI boom? 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why Corporate America Is Now Rationing AI
P.M. Edition for May 29. Across industries, companies have been telling their employees to use more AI in their work. Now, as compute prices go through the roof, WSJ deputy tech bureau chief Brad Olson discusses how these companies are trying to scale it back. Plus, a federal judge puts a temporary pause on President Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” amid a legal challenge. And move over Los Angeles—big film and TV studios are setting up shop in New Jersey. We hear from Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz about what’s drawing them to the Garden State. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What Are Trump’s Plans for Cuba?
A.M. Edition for May 29. A Blue Origin rocket explodes on its Florida launchpad, dealing a setback to Jeff Bezos’ space company. Plus, the Iran war energy shock sends drivers flocking to Costco gas stations. And with the U.S. intensifying its pressure campaign on Cuba, indicting Raúl Castro and warning of an increase in Russian and Chinese operations on the island, Dragonfly Intelligence analyst Ben Hiorns discusses whether U.S. military action could be in the cards. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
U.S. Says It Has ‘Makings of a Deal’ With Iran
P.M. Edition for May 28. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters today that the U.S. and Iran are near an agreement, but that President Trump hasn’t signed off on it yet. Iran signaled that a final deal isn’t ready. Plus, 19 years after leaving Venezuela, Exxon Mobil is weighing whether to restart operations there. WSJ reporter Collin Eaton discusses the negotiations between Exxon and the Venezuelan government…and the company’s dilemma. And in New York City, wealthy retirees are buying “med-à-terres” to have a place to stay when they come back to see their doctors. Journal residential real estate reporter Jessica Flint explains what’s driving the trend. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Can China Embrace AI Without the Job Losses?
A.M. Edition for May 28. As the backlash against artificial intelligence builds in the U.S. and elsewhere, WSJ China economics reporter Hannah Miao says Beijing is pushing companies to embrace AI, but warning them not to cut jobs as they embrace new tools. Plus, federal prosecutors charge a Google employee with insider trading after the software engineer allegedly made more than $1 million betting with nonpublic information. And Meta rolls out paid subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp as the company tries to recoup some of the costs from its expensive AI buildout. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A New Generation of Drugs Could Lower Heart Attack Risk for Millions
P.M. Edition for May 27. Pharmaceutical companies have been testing a new type of drug to lower levels of lipoprotein(a); high levels have been linked to heart disease and can’t be lowered with diet and exercise. WSJ reporter Xavier Martinez walks us through how the new drugs work and what is still needed before they can make their way to patients. Plus, Ford’s stock has been surging for the past two weeks, but the reason doesn’t have much to do with cars. Journal autos reporter Ryan Felton discusses. And President Trump says he doesn’t fear political fallout from the Iran war, while the U.S. blockade throttles the Iranian economy. We hear from WSJ Middle East correspondent Benoit Faucon about what that economic pressure means for both sides as they seek a deal for long-term peace. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump-Backed Paxton Wins Texas GOP Primary
A.M. Edition for May 27. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeats incumbent John Cornyn to clinch the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, setting up a showdown with Democrat James Talarico in what could be the red state’s most competitive general election in years. Plus, The Trump administration plans to deploy public health officers to Kenya for a potential Ebola quarantine facility for Americans. And WSJ chief foreign-affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov says with Russia stuck on the Ukrainian battlefield and launching massive strikes on Kyiv, European capitals fear Moscow could expand the conflict beyond Ukraine. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices