WSJ What’s News

José de Córdoba, Mexico City reporter with on-the-ground coverage of Latin America, and Vera Bergengruen, Washington-based foreign-policy journalist, discuss Cuba’s severe fuel and medicine shortages. They cover U.S. strategies to pressure the Cuban government, comparisons to Venezuela, limits of squeezing hard-currency sources, and the risks of political upheaval and humanitarian fallout.

Markets react to a new Fed nominee and what that could mean for interest-rate policy. Big tech volatility and gold swings shape the weekly index moves. Widespread corporate layoffs and cost-cutting trends get examined. A meme-stock revival plan and takeover ambitions take center stage.

Matt Wirz, a Wall Street Journal reporter covering private credit markets, breaks down a surprising $140 million BlackRock markdown and why opaque valuations spark concern. He also walks through investor risks tied to business development companies and private loans. Short, clear takes on market reaction and lurking credit dangers.

Discussion of Trump’s reported pick for Federal Reserve chair and the implications of his monetary views. A look at OpenAI’s plans for a possible Q4 public offering and funding race with rivals. Coverage of booming iPhone 17 sales alongside investor worries about rising component costs squeezing margins. Politics and policy moves on DHS funding, China relations, Panama and Venezuela.

A big potential deal as Amazon considers a massive investment in OpenAI and what that could mean for industry ties. Shifts in federal immigration enforcement and local pushback in Minneapolis. A look at why ultra-luxury home sales are surging despite a broader housing slump. Brief market moves after tech earnings and corporate job cuts tied to AI.

Altaf Kassam, senior investment strategist at State Street, offers a market-focused take on AI spending and chip demand. He contrasts Meta’s AI-driven ad gains with slower cloud results at rivals. He explains why markets reward near-term AI monetization, how consumers are responding to AI ads, and when heavy AI spending alarms investors.

Kate Clark, WSJ reporter on startups and AI, and Spencer Jakab, WSJ investing columnist on Fed policy. They discuss the Fed’s pause on rate cuts and what data could prompt future moves. They cover internal Fed disagreements and market reactions. Kate explains why investors fund AI labs without products and the talent risks those labs face.

Laura Casisto, Deputy Law Bureau Chief at The Wall Street Journal, offers crisp legal perspective. Alex Frangos, Journal Finance editor, breaks down currency-market moves. They discuss the dollar’s sharp slide and what spurred traders to sell. They also cover Nvidia’s AI chip sales in China and shifting Middle East alliances.

Anna Wilde Mathews, a Journal reporter who covers health insurance, explains the shock of a proposal to hold Medicare rates nearly flat. She outlines how insurers reacted and the potential fallout for plan benefits and market lobbying. The conversation also touches on broader market moves and related policy and industry shifts.

A.M. Edition for Jan. 27. Rights groups say the death toll could exceed 10,000 or more as new details trickle out of Iran’s deadly crackdown on protests earlier this month. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati says fear and mourning has paralysed the country. Plus, the EU and India reach a free-trade deal, linking together almost two billion consumers. WSJ trade reporter Kim Mackrael says this comes as a number of U.S. trading partners are actively taking steps to curb their reliance on America. And Southwest’s open seating policy is over after more than 50 years. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices