WSJ What’s News

Alphabet Taps Investors to Fund Its AI Buildout 02.06.2026 15min

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 01.06.2026 12min

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 01.06.2026 15min

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 31.05.2026 14min

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 30.05.2026 5min

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 29.05.2026 13min

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? 29.05.2026 14min

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 28.05.2026 13min

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? 28.05.2026 14min

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 27.05.2026 13min

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 27.05.2026 13min

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

Ferrari’s First EV, the $640,000 Luce, Fails to Impress 26.05.2026 14min

P.M. Edition for May 26. Ferrari’s first all-electric vehicle fails to rev up fans–and investors. WSJ reporter Ben Katz breaks down the fallout, and why Ferrari says it’s unfazed. Plus, British oil giant BP removes its chairman after bullying concerns. And it’s getting more expensive to build a house. WSJ commodities reporter Ryan Dezember explains how the conflict in Iran and AI frenzy is rippling through the housing sector. Imani Moise hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pope Compares AI Threat to Tower of Babel 26.05.2026 12min

A.M. Edition for May 26. The U.S. says it carried out “defensive strikes” against targets in Iran, following a flareup in back-and-forth attacks over the weekend. American officials say the U.S. continues to observe a cease-fire and that talks to end the war are ongoing. Plus, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent Senator John Cornyn face off in a GOP primary that is the latest test of the power of president Trump’s endorsement. And Pope Leo XIV warns of the ethical and social challenges created by the rise of artificial intelligence. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s News in Markets: IPO Excitement, Chip Fatigue, the Decline of Dividends 23.05.2026 6min

Which tech giant will kick off the next IPO boom? And why weren’t investors impressed by Nvidia’s blowout quarter? Plus, how is the AI frenzy changing the way investors get paid? 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

Trump Administration Sees Threat in Growing Foreign Spy Bases in Cuba 22.05.2026 13min

P.M. Edition for May 22. The Journal is exclusively reporting that Russia and China have been building out their operations to spy on the U.S. from Cuba. National security reporter Alex Ward discusses what this means for the U.S. as it escalates its pressure campaign on Havana. Plus, Kevin Warsh was sworn in as Federal Reserve chair at the White House today. We tell you what President Trump had to say about the central bank’s independence, and what the Fed should prioritize under Warsh’s leadership. And Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard becomes the latest Trump administration official to leave her post. 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’s News in Earnings: How AI Agents Are Boosting Nvidia–and Opening the Door to Challengers 22.05.2026 6min

Bonus Episode for May 22. Financial results from Nvidia give investors a look into the “parabolic” demand for AI hardware. Wall Street Journal Reporter Robbie Whelan discusses how the rise of AI agents is shifting the company’s business, and how Nvidia could benefit from blockbuster IPOs from SpaceX and OpenAI–even with rising competition in the chip industry. Heard on the Street columnist Dan Gallagher 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

The Whiskey Glut Upending America’s Bourbon Heartland 22.05.2026 14min

A.M. Edition for May 22. The U.S. puts arms sales to Taiwan on hold, saying the munitions and arms are needed for the war with Iran. Plus, weight-loss drugs like WeGovy and Mounjaro show a surprising ability to stall cancer. And WSJ’s Laura Cooper details how bourbon distillers are facing a hangover as more Americans pinch pennies and join the ranks of the sober-curious. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Republicans Break With President Trump Over $1.8 Billion Fund 21.05.2026 13min

P.M. Edition for May 21. The Senate’s at an impasse after a majority of Senate Republicans collide with President Trump over plans for an “anti-weaponization fund.” WSJ national political reporter Ken Thomas discusses what that means for President Trump’s agenda ahead of the midterms. Plus, a day after officially kicking off its IPO process, tonight SpaceX plans to launch a new version of its Starship rocket. We hear from Journal space reporter Micah Maidenberg about why Starship is so critical to the future of SpaceX’s business. And dividend investors were making gains and many years even beat the wider S&P 500… until about three years ago, when things went south. WSJ senior markets columnist James Mackintosh dug into the data to understand why. (Hint: the AI boom.) Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI’s Trillion Dollar IPO Plans 21.05.2026 13min

A.M. Edition for May 21. Wall Street is bracing for a historic wave of tech listings as Elon Musk’s SpaceX unveils its blockbuster S-1 prospectus. WSJ reporter Becky Peterson parsed the filing and says its setting the stage for a landmark debut that could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire. Plus, an exclusive look at Anthropic’s mind-blowing growth as the AI-startup looks set for its first profit. And, new research shows MAHA-approved natural food colors may cause cancer and diabetes. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OpenAI Is Making Plans to File to Go Public Very Soon 20.05.2026 12min

P.M. Edition for May 20. We’re exclusively reporting that ChatGPT maker OpenAI has been working with bankers to prepare to file for an initial public offering in the coming days or weeks. Reporter Berber Jin joins to discuss the timing of the possible IPO and what that could mean for OpenAI’s business. Plus, stocks of chipmakers like Intel, Micron and AMD have hit a volatile stretch after weeks of massive gains. We hear from WSJ reporter Jared Mitovich about why they’re now looking to Nvidia’s earnings for the path forward. The chip company reported its latest record quarter. And the Trump administration has charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro with murder as the U.S. continues its pressure campaign against the island nation’s Communist government. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices