WSJ What’s News

Konrad Putzier, a WSJ economics reporter on housing and inflation, breaks down how surging gas and heating costs are driving prices higher and complicating the Fed’s next move. Laurence Norman, a WSJ reporter on diplomacy and national security, digs into the high-stakes U.S.-Iran talks, from Tehran’s leverage to the chances of a temporary ceasefire-style deal.

A.M. Edition for April 10. The White House is racing to contain Israel’s deadly war in Lebanon ahead of peace talks with Iran this weekend. At the centre of negotiations is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a possible toll on ships passing through the waterway. WSJ correspondent Tom Fairless explains why Iran and the U.S. might be able to agree on this - and the global consequences such a toll would have. Plus, we look at why MAGA is so invested in this weekend’s election in Hungary. And why an innocent-sounding - yet notorious - flying fish, is threatening the Great Lakes. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicole Friedman, a Wall Street Journal housing reporter, digs into soaring HOA and condo fees and why they are making homeownership tougher. David Luhnow, the Journal’s U.K. bureau chief, explores British alarms over Russian moves near undersea cables. The conversation also touches on Israel-Lebanon talks, ceasefire hopes, and a market rally.

Alex Frangos, The Wall Street Journal’s economics editor, digs into how the Lebanon strikes and tensions around Iran are rattling markets. They get into rising oil prices, snarled Hormuz tanker traffic, and the ripple effects on inflation, housing, and shipping. They also explore a longer-term pressure point: low U.S. birthrates, labor shortages, and AI’s growing role in the economy.

Hannah Aaron-Lang, a markets reporter on stock rallies and oddball trades, Matt Grossman, an economics reporter on labor data and forecasting, and Shelby Holliday, a national security reporter on Middle East policy. They discuss the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire, risks around the Strait of Hormuz, the sudden market rally and oil slide, and why job forecasts are suddenly less reliable for investors.

Fabiana Negrin-Ochoa, an Asia-based markets reporter, explains how central banks and markets are reacting to geopolitical shocks. Jared Malsin, a Middle East correspondent, reports from the region on the two-week U.S.-Iran truce and control of the Strait of Hormuz. They discuss the truce’s fragility, Iran’s claims, reopening doubts, market moves, and inflation risks in short, news-driven segments.

Ray Smith, Wall Street Journal reporter who covers careers and workplace trends, talks about why many Americans over 55 are leaving the labor force. He explains how fear of learning AI and financial cushions are prompting earlier retirements. Short-term effects on promotions and openings for younger workers are also discussed.

Pierre Wunsch, governor of the National Bank of Belgium and a European monetary policymaker, talks about how the Iran war is reshaping central-bank decisions. He discusses inflation risks from energy disruptions. He compares current shocks to 2022 and lays out conditions that could force rate hikes in June.

New research shows the upper middle class has grown dramatically and explores what income thresholds, education and marriage mean for mobility. Tensions with Iran and U.S. plans around the Strait of Hormuz create geopolitical and market ripples. The finances behind major AI companies face huge compute costs as they prepare public offerings. NASA’s Artemis II sets a new distance record from Earth.

A deep look at U.S. and Israeli plans to target Iran’s energy infrastructure and the legal and economic fallout such strikes could cause. Coverage of militia retaliation risks and threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports on oil-market implications and inflation concerns. Plus corporate sponsorship pullouts at a major London music festival and moves over protected cheese names in trade talks.