WSJ What's News

President Trump was secretly flown out of Turkey due to an Iranian threat, utilizing a decoy operation involving a catering truck to transfer him to a military jet. This extraordinary maneuver was prompted by intelligence suggesting a potential missile attack on the president's plane, raising concerns about his safety during the diplomatic visit.

The University of Michigan announced it will drop first-semester grades for new freshmen, opting for a pass/no credit system to help alleviate mental health issues among students. This decision has sparked debate about academic rigor and the value of college degrees, with some viewing it as coddling while others see it as a necessary adjustment to modern challenges.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is facing increasing pressure to resign following a controversial proposal to sell off parts of the World Cup's commercial rights, which was met with strong backlash from global soccer leaders. Despite withdrawing the proposal and apologizing, calls for his ouster continue, with some confederations considering a vote of no confidence.

President Trump signed an executive order advocating for fewer vaccines for children, suggesting parents spread out vaccinations. This has sparked controversy, especially as it links vaccines to autism, a claim widely discredited by scientists.

South Korean conglomerate Hanwa is making a significant investment in U.S. shipbuilding with a $1 billion offer for Austell USA. This move is part of a broader interest from foreign investors in reviving domestic shipbuilding amid government initiatives.

Anthropic is gearing up for a potentially historic IPO, aiming for a public debut in September or October. The company is addressing investor concerns about competition from cheaper AI models in China and backlash against AI technology by shifting focus towards applications in biology and healthcare.

Trump Media has signed up over 10 customers for a real-time feed of posts from its Truth Social platform, despite criticism from government watchdogs. The company claims this service is a standard business practice, even as it faces scrutiny over its financial losses.

In Wisconsin's Democratic primary, State Representative Francesca Hong represents the far left against establishment candidates. Her progressive platform includes free childcare and a moratorium on new AI data centers, but concerns about her electability loom large.

A significant increase in American tourists traveling to Europe is reshaping economies, particularly in southern countries like Greece and Spain. While this influx boosts local economies, it also raises concerns about over-tourism and rising living costs for residents.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, resulting in over 70 fatalities and significant destruction in multiple cities. The disaster poses an early challenge for the newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espritia, as authorities continue to assess the situation and search for survivors trapped under rubble.

British naval drones were found to have sent data to an internet address in China, raising concerns about military technology supply chains. Although the Ministry of Defense stated that no sensitive information was transmitted, this incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in defense technology and the challenges of ensuring secure components.

Gulf oil producers are coming to terms with Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, recognizing it as a new reality. They are exploring alternative routes for oil exports to avoid potential economic hostage situations due to Iran's demands for crossing fees. This shift reflects a complex geopolitical landscape where Gulf states must balance engagement with Iran while safeguarding their economies.

The FDA has proposed new transparency rules requiring food companies to notify the agency when introducing new ingredients. This move aims to address long-standing concerns about the regulation of food ingredients, particularly the 'grass loophole' that allows companies to self-certify ingredients as safe without FDA oversight. The proposal is controversial, as it may impact how processed foods are defined and regulated.

Meta, under Mark Zuckerberg's leadership, is pivoting towards open-weight AI models to counter the competitive threat from cheaper Chinese alternatives. The company plans to invest a billion dollars into communities hosting its data centers and aims to release a new AI model called Muse Glimmer. This strategy reflects a broader effort to regain leadership in AI development and address public concerns over its data center expansion.

Taylor Farms has issued a recall for several products due to potential salmonella contamination linked to jalapeno peppers. This recall follows a previous incident involving lettuce supplied by the company, which was associated with numerous illnesses. While Taylor Farms has not reported any illnesses from the recalled products, the situation raises concerns about food safety.

Iran has escalated its demands in negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling for the end of all sanctions, reparations, and a halt to attacks on its militia allies. This comes amid stalled negotiations and highlights the challenges President Trump faces in finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The situation remains tense, with significant hurdles to reaching an agreement.

The U.S. Senate passed a new sanctions package aimed at crippling Russia's economy, but it notably excludes A7, a state-backed payments network that has rapidly grown to handle a significant portion of Russia's foreign trade payments. A7 has developed sophisticated methods to facilitate transactions, including the use of cryptocurrency and shell companies, allowing it to evade Western sanctions effectively. This development raises concerns about the efficacy of U.S. sanctions and the potential for A7 to serve as a model for other countries facing similar restrictions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed the 54,000 mark for the first time, buoyed by strong earnings from companies like Disney and Caterpillar. The overall market saw gains, with the NASDAQ leading the way, as falling oil prices and a weak jobs report eased inflation concerns among investors.

Despite reporting record sales, AMD shares fell after SpaceX announced it would stop using AMD chips in favor of NVIDIA technology. This shift caused a significant drop in AMD's stock, while NVIDIA's shares surged, highlighting the competitive dynamics in the chip industry.

SpaceX reported a nearly doubling of revenue to $7.8 billion but faced scrutiny over its significant spending on AI projects, which raised concerns among investors. Despite a drop in shares post-IPO, retail investors showed strong interest, pushing the stock higher by the end of the week.