WSJ What’s News

P.M. Edition for Mar. 12. The economic risks of the war in Iran are getting real on Wall Street. Brent crude jumped above $100 a barrel and U.S. stocks sold off. Plus, the tie-up in the Strait of Hormuz is rippling across the global economy, and that includes sending the price of fertilizer skyrocketing. We hear from Journal agriculture reporter Patrick Thomas about what this means for U.S. farmers going into the spring planting season. And employees of medical-technology company Stryker woke up yesterday to find that their devices had been disabled due to a cyberattack. James Rundle, who covers cybersecurity for WSJ Pro, discusses how the war in the Middle East is playing out in the world of hackers. 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 Mar. 12. Oil prices briefly topped $100 a barrel following a wave of new Iranian attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf. WSJ reporter Chelsey Dulaney helps break down the economic winners and losers of what the International Energy Agency now says is the biggest oil supply disruption ever. Plus, President Trump returns to the tariff drawing board. And a new study finds AI isn't lightening workloads. 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 Mar. 11. Three commercial ships were hit today near the Strait of Hormuz as Iran steps up its efforts to close off that critical shipping route for oil. WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin discusses why the Trump administration is turning down requests for military escorts through the strait, and what it would take to reopen it. Plus, U.S. inflation held steady in February. But, as we hear from Journal investing columnist Spencer Jakab, that data doesn’t incorporate the Middle East conflict, so the real question is what comes next. And the Trump administration is preparing to announce new tariff investigations that could result in higher tariffs on a number of countries. Alex Ossola hosts. Boycotting Target: A WSJ Podcast Series 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 Mar. 11. The International Energy Agency is considering releasing 400 million barrels of oil into the market to counter the surge in crude prices from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. WSJ reporters Matt Dalton and Rebecca Feng explain why the strategic release would be unprecedented and how it could drive oil prices up, instead of down. Plus, we look at how some of the biggest hedge funds got caught off guard by the war. And WSJ’s Alex Leary has the scoop on why Trump is obsessed with these $145 shoes. 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 Mar. 10. Today Georgia's 14th congressional district holds a special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. WSJ national politics reporter Sabrina Siddiqui speaks with reporters Aaron Zitner and Cameron McWhirter about Republican voters’ stance on President Trump’s military campaigns. Plus, the Senate has introduced a new provision in its housing bill that would force large investors to sell homes within seven years of them being built. We hear from Journal reporter Rebecca Picciotto about how the industry is responding. And oil prices continue their slide as investors hope the world’s biggest economies will release strategic oil reserves. 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 Mar. 10. Iran says the negotiations to end the war are off the table, even as President Trump says the conflict will be over “very soon.” WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin discusses the leverage Tehran believes it still possesses. Plus, WSJ commodities reporter Ryan Dezember explains why Americans have been insulated from higher energy costs, despite a surge in global natural-gas prices after fighting began in the Middle East. And Nasdaq will collaborate with crypto platform Kraken to launch tokenized stocks on its exchange. 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 Mar. 9. It’s been a stunning day for oil markets. The U.S. oil benchmark dropped to about $85 a barrel, after surging above $119 last night. WSJ reporter David Uberti discusses how the Iran war is scrambling the outlook for fuel. Plus, Pixar’s “Hoppers” had the biggest opening weekend for an original animated movie since 2017. We hear from Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz about whether this could be a new franchise for Disney. And Anthropic has sued 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 Mar. 9. Oil is surging past $100 a barrel as Iran strikes critical infrastructure in the Gulf, leading states to dial back production and halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. WSJ reporter Joe Wallace says higher fuel prices are just one likely outcome as the inflationary impacts of shipping disruptions mount. Plus, correspondent Benoit Faucon analyzes Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection as Iran’s next supreme leader. And why VW dealers are up in arms as the automaker looks to sell direct to consumers. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who should be responsible for an American retirement? For the early part of the nation's history, that was never a consideration. The fate of older Americans was on them. Then in the early 20th century, a host of movements ushered in company pensions and Social Security, helping to create the modern-day idea of retirement for many workers. But as pensions fade into 401(k)s and Social Security teeters, workers again find themselves bearing more responsibility and risk of financing their golden years.  This episode is part of The Wall Street Journal’s USA250: The Story of the World’s Greatest Economy, a collection of articles, videos and podcasts aiming to offer a deeper understanding of how America has evolved. Further Reading: The Struggle To Keep America’s Workers Safe An Economy Built on Speculation Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early, Fearful of Its Future This New Investing Idea Isn’t Right for Your Retirement Plan How to Keep This Hot Stock Market From Melting Your Retirement Dreams Lloyd Blankfein Misses Being Goldman Sachs CEO—Mostly When There’s a Market Crisis Wall Street Is Pushing Private Assets Into 401(k)s. We Asked Whether Anyone Wants Them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do rising oil prices mean for the stock market? And why did foreign stocks fall so sharply this week? Plus, how did the war in the Middle East scramble the 60-40 portfolio? Host Hannah Erin Lang 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 Mar. 6. The Labor Department said today that the U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February—a greater drop than economists expected. WSJ economics reporter Justin Lahart discusses the sectors affected, and what this report means for the Federal Reserve. Plus, President Trump calls for “unconditional surrender” in Iran. And WSJ markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang says U.S. stocks dropped after the weak employment report, while oil prices continued their rise, notching their biggest weekly gain on record. 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 Mar. 6. Nearly a week after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, WSJ correspondent Sune Rasmussen discusses the delicate balancing act facing Iran’s leaders as they attempt to choose a replacement. Plus, how declining Gulf energy production and exports could cause global economic disruption and higher gas prices. And we’ll look at the Nepalese rapper poised to become the country’s next prime minister. 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 Mar. 5. President Trump has removed Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security—the first cabinet secretary to be fired by Trump in his second term. Plus, Apple has announced new iPhones and MacBooks at a lower price point. WSJ tech reporter Rolfe Winkler says the company is trying to expand its market share, and that will be a headache for rivals. And U.S. stocks fell sharply as the conflict in the Middle East expanded, pushing oil above $80 a barrel and disrupting flights. We hear from Journal workplace reporter Chip Cutter about how the conflict is affecting the many expat workers in the region. 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 Mar. 5. Reports from entertainment companies this quarter underline what’s driving consolidation in the industry. Paramount Skydance won a bidding war against Netflix for Warner Bros. Discovery, while Comcast spun out its cable networks into a new company. Wall Street Journal media and entertainment reporter Joe Flint discusses what stood out from Comcast, Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and Versant. Ben Fritz 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 Mar. 5. The Trump administration is on the hook for billions in tariff refunds. WSJ global economics correspondent Tom Fairless says that provides some relief for the more than 2,000 companies who are looking to claw back money they’ve paid in duties. Plus, China cuts its economic growth forecast as it preps for an era of slower expansion. And Europe ups its support for the U.S. war on Iran but many countries remain critical. WSJ’s Max Colchester and Austin Ramzy explain why the strikes on Iran have divided U.S. allies and adversaries equally. 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 Mar. 4. The geography of the U.S.-Iran conflict is expanding: the U.S. shot down an Iranian missile fired at Turkey, and also sank an Iranian ship in the Indian Ocean. Plus, oil prices stabilized today but are still up about 15% this week. We hear from WSJ reporter Benoît Morenne about why American frackers aren’t taking this as their cue to increase supply. And a record number of Americans are tapping into their 401(k)s to pay for emergencies. 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 Mar. 4. Israel’s military is targeting sites in Iran connected to the country's police state, in what WSJ correspondent Margherita Stancati says is a strategy aimed at helping enable a popular uprising against Iran’s leaders. Plus, South Korean stocks see a record drop as fighting in the Mideast ripples across Asian economies. And James Talarico wins Texas’s Senate Democratic primary on a message of electability. 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 Mar. 3. Three days after the U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Trump isn’t sure who he wants in power in Tehran. WSJ national security reporter Vera Bergengruen discusses the options he’s presented. Plus, Trump said Iran's military has been largely neutralized, which, as markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang describes, helped markets regain their footing from their earlier drop early today. And the case for going to war with Iran comes under growing scrutiny. We hear from WSJ reporter Alexander Ward about how the administration is talking about why it went to war, and why it matters. 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 Mar. 3. The State Department is expanding its diplomatic pullback from the Middle East after the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia was attacked by an Iranian drone. Plus, with tourists and expats looking on, Persian Gulf nations have thus far managed to intercept the majority of drones and missiles directed at them by Iran. But Oxford Analytica’s Rawan Maayeh explains that the countries are struggling to balance a tough response to Iran’s attacks with the desire to end fighting and restore a sense of calm. And limited flight operations resume in Dubai, even as airspace across much of the Middle East remains shut. 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 Mar. 2. President Trump said the U.S. operation in Iran will go on as long as necessary, and more U.S. troops are being ordered to the region. Journal reporter Aaron Zitner joins from Washington to discuss how that’s going over among Trump’s base. Plus, oil prices are rising because of threats to the critical Strait of Hormuz. We hear from WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Jinjoo Lee about how this conflict could send oil prices higher. And in Texas, tomorrow’s Republican Senate primary has gotten heated. WSJ politics reporter Sabrina Rodriguez says Republican party leaders worry it might provide an opportunity for Democrats. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices