P.M. Edition for Jan. 12. President Trump has complained to aides repeatedly in recent weeks about Pam Bondi, describing her as weak and an ineffective enforcer of his agenda, according to administration officials and other people familiar with his complaints. Plus, Google parent Alphabet has become the latest company to cross the $4 trillion mark as investors are optimistic about the company’s AI business. And dozens of Silicon Valley elite are part of a Signal chat called “Save California” where they exchange criticism and tips about a proposed wealth tax in the state. WSJ enterprise reporter Emily Glazer takes us inside the group chat. Alex Ossola hosts.
The Fed Chair revived concerns about central bank independence. Plus: Synchrony Financial drops after the President calls for a cap on credit card interest rates. Katherine Sullivan hosts.
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.
In Iran, popular protests continue to sweep the country. Rights groups say hundreds of Iranians have been killed in the government crackdown on the protests, which are seen as a challenge to the theocratic regime. President Trump has warned he may hit Iran “very hard” for the violence against protesters. He also said the U.S. was set to meet with Iranian officials. Iran has said channels of communication with the U.S. remain “open”. Our reporter brings us up to speed on what we know about events inside Iran. And an we hear from an Iranian-American analyst about why the protests in Iran this time are different.
On Friday, Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) hit a fresh 52-week high. Are higher highs in the forecast? We look at the U.S. government's backing of the business and what it might mean for future returns.
Asit Sharma, Rick Munarriz, and Tim Beyers discuss:
- CEO Lip-Bu Tan's meeting with President Trump.
- Plans for advanced (or even AI) chipmaking on U.S. soil.
- The challenges of growing the foundry business versus the promises cooked into the current share price.
Don’t wait! Be sure to get to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of David’s Gardner’s new book — Rule Breaker Investing: How to Pick the Best Stocks of the Future and Build Lasting Wealth. It’s on shelves now; get it before it’s gone!
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An AI bubble. Geopolitical turmoil. Inflation and interest rates. These things and more could rock the stock market in 2026, and investors have to be prepared. WSJ’s Jason Zweig, writer of The Intelligent Investor column and newsletter, discusse s how investors can best set up their portfolios for the new year and breaks down his outlook for the year ahead. Ryan Knutson hosts.
Grandpa Trump looked like he was losing the pep in his step at the end of the year. But with him threatening the independence of the Fed, justifying the killing of an American in cold blood for teasing a federal agent, and toying with the idea of taking an ownership stake in oil companies, he's now dramatically ratcheting up his authoritarian tendencies. At the same time, he's losing sight of America First through his Venezuela distraction—and opening the door to challenges from MAGA true believers like Steve Bannon. Plus, Dems are playing a good hand in Alaska with Mary Peltola, Bill is a resist lib, and the heartwarming desire for freedom from the Iranian people.
In this special edition of the Global News Podcast, BBC correspondents answer your questions about the anti-government protests that spread across Iran. Can the Iranian regime survive? Will Donald Trump intervene? How would regime change affect the world? Matthew Amroliwala speaks to two of the BBC's diplomatic correspondents - Caroline Hawley in London and Paul Adams in Washington - as well as Siavash Ardalan, from BBC Persian.
The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.
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Bookstore giant Barnes & Noble is opening new locations in downtown, Hyde Park, Oak Park and Skokie. As the chain continues to see growth since its change in leadership in 2019, some are concerned about the return of the big-box bookstore where small, independent bookstores already exist.
In the Loop talks about the Barnes & Noble expansion in Chicago, its impact on local bookshops and how indie bookstores and large booksellers can coexist in the city. We speak with Barnes and Noble CEO James Daunt, Volumes Bookcafe co-owner Rebecca George and Call & Response Books owner Courtney Bledsoe.
For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
Oh, come on! We take a couple weeks off for the holidays, and the world goes nuts? Ben, Matt and Noel welcome you back to the first strange news segment of 2026. Tune in as the guys explore the unfolding chaos in Venezuela and abroad, the debate about the McRib, Uncle Sam's new interest in Russia's shadow fleet -- and so much more.
