WSJ What’s News

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

4/27/25 • 15:09

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

4/26/25 • 05:33

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

4/25/25 • 12:54

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

4/25/25 • 13:33

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

4/24/25 • 12:56

A.M. Edition for April 24. Moscow has renewed its attacks on Ukraine, after U.S.-mediated peace talks fizzled out. Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko describes how Russian strikes have impacted the country’s energy supply and how Ukrainian minerals could play a part in securing future peace. Plus, President Trump takes aim at universities, targeting their funding and accreditation. And new data reveals the richest Americans are wealthier than ever before. Kate Bullivant hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/24/25 • 15:50

P.M. Edition for April 23. We exclusively report that President Trump is considering cutting steep tariffs on Chinese imports, a move that could de-escalate the trade war. WSJ chief China correspondent Lingling Wei tells us what that means for the broader relationship between the U.S. and China. Plus, not even a U-turn on the trade war would erase concerns over erratic economic policy that may make U.S. assets seem riskier to some foreign investors. Heard on the Street columnist Jon Sindreu discusses what a flight of foreign investment could mean for U.S. markets. And as companies prepare for the impact of tariffs, they are already weighing how to pass those additional costs on to consumers. WSJ business reporter Natasha Khan joins the podcast to discuss the art of raising prices. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/23/25 • 13:30

A.M. Edition for April 23. Global markets breathe a sigh of relief as President Trump signals a softer tone on China tariffs and said he isn’t planning to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Plus, as Elon Musk hints that his work with the Trump administration could be coming to an end, WSJ reporter Stephen Wilmot explains what that could mean for Tesla. And federal contractors offer billions in cost cuts to win over an administration skeptical about their contributions. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/23/25 • 13:44

P.M. Edition for April 22. Major U.S. indexes rose 2.5% or more today as the Trump administration offers fresh hope for de-escalation of the president’s trade war. Plus, Tesla’s net income fell more than 70% in the first quarter as the company struggled with competitive pressure and Elon Musk’s polarizing role. And the International Monetary Fund expects slower growth for the global economy. Economics editor Paul Hannon joins to discuss why the IMF predicts that the U.S. is expected to be hit particularly hard. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/22/25 • 13:59

A.M. Edition for April 22. The U.S. and India agree to broad terms to negotiate a potential trade deal. WSJ’s South Asia bureau chief Tripti Lahiri says India, a country that has long frustrated foreign companies with red tape, now sees an opening to capture American investment from China. Meanwhile, Washington targets Chinese solar-product manufacturers in Southeast Asia with steep tariffs. And Harvard sues the Trump administration in an escalating battle over its funding. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/22/25 • 13:08

P.M. Edition for April 21. U.S. markets were on edge about President Trump's tariff war as well as his threats to fire Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell. Stocks fell, the dollar hit fresh multiyear lows against major currencies, and yields on longer-term Treasurys rose. Plus, U.S. megabanks are built for business from all corners of the globe. Heard on the Street columnist Telis Demos says that will become tougher in a deglobalized world. And cryptocurrency is pushing deeper into the banking system; banking reporter Gina Heeb has the scoop on the crypto firms planning to apply for bank charters or licenses. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/21/25 • 14:17

A.M. Edition for April 21. The Vatican announces the death of Pope Francis, triggering what Rome-based correspondent Margherita Stancati says will be a succession process that centers on whether to continue the pontiff's progressive legacy. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in hot water again after sharing detailed military plans in another Signal chat. And the Supreme Court halts the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan migrants under a rarely used wartime law. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Correction: An estimated $1 trillion of goods transits through the Gulf of Aden each year. An earlier version of this podcast said that was a daily figure. (Corrected on April 21) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/21/25 • 13:57

The Trump administration has already pulled grant money from Harvard and is threatening to do so at other institutions too. Meanwhile,the administration is pulling hundreds of student visas and moving to deport some. WSJ’s Doug Belkin explains how losing federal grant money could affect universities’ bottom lines. And Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), explains how much international students contribute to universities’ budgets and the impact that losing them could have. Further Reading:  Trump Is Going After Universities’ Federal Funding. Here’s What to Know.   The Little-Known Bureaucrats Tearing Through American Universities   Trump Team to Freeze Nearly $2 Billion at Cornell and Northwestern Universities   How Harvard Ended Up Leading the University Fight Against Trump  Trump Administration Wants to Install Federal Oversight of Columbia University  Former College President Explains Funding Strategies Behind Universities  Chinese Students on U.S. Campuses Are Ensnared in Political Standoff  Student Visas Are Being Revoked Without Reason or Warning, Colleges Say  Harvard-Bound Students Stand Firm While Some Columbia Prospects Think Twice  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/20/25 • 17:17

Why did news from a weight-loss drug pill trial boost Eli Lilly? And how are costs in the Medicare business affecting UnitedHealth? Plus, what ambitious goals has Netflix set for itself? 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

4/19/25 • 05:13

P.M. Edition for April 18. Some U.S. businesses are tacking an extra fee onto customer orders—and attributing them specifically to the man in the Oval Office. WSJ business reporter Natasha Khan tells us about the “this tariff isn’t our fault” fee. And as financial stress mounts, chains that cater to the budget-conscious are seeing more of a new class of shoppers. CFO Journal reporter Jennifer Williams tells us how that’s reflecting shifts for shoppers at all income levels. Plus, President Trump has replaced the acting IRS commissioner he appointed earlier this week. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/18/25 • 13:55

A.M. Edition for April 18. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Washington has presented Kyiv and Moscow with a framework deal to end their war, but that the clock is ticking for both to act before the U.S. shifts its diplomatic priorities elsewhere. Plus, President Trump signals that China, the EU and Japan could all reach trade deals with Washington. And WSJ Heard on the Street tech columnist Dan Gallagher breaks down Netflix’s latest earnings, in which the streaming giant posted a record profit and showed little sign of being dragged down by tumult in global markets. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/18/25 • 13:48

P.M. Edition for April 17. In a post on social media and in comments from the Oval Office, President Trump expressed his displeasure with Fed Chair Jerome Powell. But can Trump actually fire him? WSJ chief economics commentator Greg Ip discusses an upcoming Supreme Court decision that might tilt the scales. Plus, a federal judge has ruled that Alphabet’s Google created an illegal monopoly that allowed it to control parts of the online advertising industry. And private equity, one of Wall Street’s most consistent fee generators, is in danger. Reporter Miriam Gottfried tells us what’s going on, and what it would take to get private equity back on track. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/17/25 • 13:02

A.M. Edition for April 17. Chip giant TSMC beat quarterly earnings estimates today, posting a 60% jump in profits. But can the stars of the semiconductor industry sustain their momentum as Washington limits what can be exported to China and mulls new chip tariffs? UBS head of Taiwan research Randy Abrams weighs in. Plus, Japan and Italy try to find common ground with the White House on trade. And WSJ markets reporter Chelsey Dulaney explains why the dollar’s recent slide is becoming the rest of the world’s problem. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/17/25 • 14:06

P.M. Edition for April 16. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned today that the central bank could face difficult trade-offs in trying to cushion the U.S. economy from the fallout of President Trump’s trade war. His comments deepened a rout on tech stocks, fueled by trade restrictions on chipmaker Nvidia. We speak to WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Asa Fitch about what the rules mean for the company’s relationship with Wall Street. And research projects go on pause at Harvard after the Trump administration said it would stop more than $2 billion in federal grant money. WSJ science reporter Nidhi Subbaraman discusses the implications for researchers and the university writ large. Alex Ossola hosts. How Harvard Ended Up Leading the College Fight Against Trump Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/16/25 • 12:38

A.M. Edition for April 16. The Trump administration intends to use tariff negotiations with more than 70 countries to push them to limit China’s involvement in their economies. WSJ Southeast Asia bureau chief Gabriele Steinhauser discusses how that is likely to go over in countries used to balancing relations with Washington and Beijing. Plus, reporter Benoît Morenne explains how tariffs are rippling through energy markets. And a federal judge demands answers from the government about a wrongfully deported Maryland man, setting up the biggest test yet of judges’ authority to rein in the administration’s actions. Luke Vargas hosts. Check out our special series on how China’s trillion-dollar infrastructure plan is challenging the West.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4/16/25 • 14:03