WSJ What’s News - What This Year’s Dealmaking Boom Means for 2026

Edition for Dec. 24. This year has been a big one for deals, with some blockbuster mergers and big-name breakups. WSJ lead deals reporter Lauren Thomas discusses what drove all that activity in 2025, and what she’ll be keeping her eye on in the year to come. Plus, the heirs to Texas billionaire Robert Brockman will pay $750 million in the biggest U.S. tax fraud case ever. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposes a demilitarized zone in the eastern region of Donetsk as part of a potential peace deal. Alex Ossola hosts. Programming note: What’s News is publishing once a day through Jan. 2.

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WSJ What’s News - The Tyson Plant That Shaped This Nebraska Town Is Closing. What Comes Next?

P.M. Edition for Dec. 23. When Tyson Foods announced that it was closing its meatpacking plant in Lexington, Nebraska, it sent the city into a crisis. We hear from WSJ reporter Patrick Thomas about what locals are planning to do as the city is losing its largest employer. Plus, the U.S. economy was unexpectedly strong in the third quarter. Chao Deng, who covers the U.S. economy for the Journal, breaks down how consumer spending drove that growth. And if you’re planning to fly economy this holiday season–or anytime really–we’ve got some tips on how to make the trip a little more enjoyable. Alex Ossola hosts.

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WSJ Minute Briefing - Stocks Finish Higher, Pushing S&P 500 to a Record Close

A surprisingly strong GDP report boosted investors' spirits. Plus: American depositary receipts for Novo Nordisk rise after U.S. regulators approved a pill version of weight-loss drug Wegovy. Danny Lewis hosts.

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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.

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WSJ Minute Briefing - U.S. Economy Grew Unexpectedly in the Third Quarter

Plus, a jury orders Johnson & Johnson to pay over $1.5 billion in a lawsuit alleging its talc products caused cancer. And as car prices rise, consumers are increasingly seeking out longer-term auto loans. Alex Ossola hosts.

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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.

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WSJ Minute Briefing - Trump’s Greenland Envoy Prompts Angry Response From Denmark

Plus: The U.S. bans new China-made drones from DJI and Autel Robotics, sparking outrage among pilots. And U.S. regulators approve the first GLP-1 weight-loss pill, a tablet formulation of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy. Daniel Bach hosts.


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WSJ What’s News - The U.S. Oil Blockade of Venezuela Is Pushing Cuba Toward Collapse

A.M. Edition for Dec. 23. Cuba was already suffering from food shortages and blackouts. Now the U.S. oil blockade of Venezuela means the Communist island also faces the loss of cheap oil from Nicolás Maduro. The Journal’s South America bureau chief Juan Forero explains. Plus, the U.S. bans new China-made drones from DJI and Autel Robotics, sparking outrage among pilots. And think you know business etiquette? Take our quiz and find out. Daniel Bach hosts.


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WSJ Tech News Briefing - Why Aren’t We Using Tech That Could Reduce Drunken Driving?

Technology like the Dadss alcohol-detection system uses sensors to measure a driver’s blood alcohol level, but there are some major barriers standing in the way of widespread adoption. WSJ reporter Ryan Felton discusses the tech and what’s holding it back. Plus, WSJ reporter Katie Bindley explores why some of today’s tech founders aren’t just young—they’re in their teens. Belle Lin hosts.


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WSJ What’s News - Why Toxic Fumes on Planes Are Being Blamed for Illnesses and Deaths

P.M. Edition for Dec. 22. Reports of toxic gases that leak into a plane’s cabin or cockpit have surged in recent years. Now, as WSJ’s Ben Katz reports, doctors and researchers increasingly see a link between exposure to those fumes and fatal illnesses. Look for his next piece with more advice for travelers on wsj.com. Plus, the Trump administration stops offshore wind projects currently under construction, the most significant of the actions the administration has taken against the industry. And Paramount sweetens its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery with a personal guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison. WSJ media reporter Joe Flint weighs in on the latest in the fight for the entertainment company. Alex Ossola hosts.


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