The Journal.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the federal law that requires TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, to either shut down or find a new owner. WSJ’s Jess Bravin breaks down the arguments from each side. Further Listening: -How TikTok Became The World’s Favorite App -A TikTok Star Wrestles With the App's Possible Ban -What's Up With All the TikTok Bans? -House Passes Bill to Ban TikTok Further Reading: -Supreme Court Questions TikTok’s Arguments Against Ban -How TikTok Was Blindsided by U.S. Bill That Could Ban It Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this week that Facebook, Instagram and Threads would dramatically dial back content moderation and end fact checking. WSJ’s Jeff Horwitz explains what that means for the social media giant. Further Reading: -Social-Media Companies Decide Content Moderation Is Trending Down -Meta Ends Fact-Checking on Facebook, Instagram in Free-Speech Pitch Further listening: -Meta Is Struggling to Boot Pedophiles Off Facebook and Instagram -Is Fighting Misinformation Censorship? The Supreme Court Will Decide. -The Facebook Files Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once fierce rivals, Japanese car giants Honda and Nissan recently announced their plans to merge in 2026. The deal would create the world’s 3rd largest automaker. WSJ’s Sean McLain reports on why Nissan struggled in recent years and the challenges the merged company would face. Further Listening: -Inside Carlos Ghosn's Escape From Japan -The Future of Self-Driving Cars Is Here Further Reading: -Nissan Needs a Honda Rescue. What Went So Wrong? -Honda, Nissan Plan to Create World’s No. 3 Automaker in 2026 Merger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would resign. He is the latest global progressive leader to fall from power. WSJ’s Vipal Monga reports on Trudeau’s legacy and downfall. Further Listening: -A Murder That Sparked a Diplomatic Crisis -Canada’s Trucker Protests Further Reading: -Trudeau to Resign as Voters Sour on His Vision for Canada -The Populist Vying to Lead Canada and End a Decade of Liberalism -The Progressive Moment in Global Politics Is Over Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix was known for its “no rules” culture that executives say attracted the best talent. But as it’s grown, the company has pulled back on some of that freedom, including its generous parental leave. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel explains why Netflix is changing the culture that fueled its success, and what it means for employees. Further Reading: -Netflix’s Extraordinary Parental Leave Was Part of Its Culture. That’s Over. -Netflix Is Rethinking Employee Freedom, a Core Tenet of Its Vaunted Culture Further Listening: -Netflix Turns to Ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After decades of manufacturing in the United States moving overseas, there are calls to bring it back. But doing that is not straightforward. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner and the founder of American Giant explain how that company produced inexpensive T-shirts in the U.S. Further Reading: -How a $12.98 T-Shirt Is Made in America—at a Profit Further Listening: -How One Business Owner Is Getting Ahead of Trump's Tariffs -China, an Alabama Business and a 20-Year Battle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gunmen of the Gulf Clan, a drug-trafficking militia in Colombia, are seizing tunnels inside one of the largest gold motherlodes in Latin America. The mine belongs to Zijin Mining Group, a Chinese company, which says it has surrendered nearly two-thirds of its tunnels and lost an estimated $200 million worth of gold in 2023. WSJ's Juan Forero reports. Further Reading: -A Drug Gang Stole 3 Tons of Gold in a Scam So Perfect It’s Still Going Further Listening: -Smuggling Migrants Toward the U.S. Is a Booming Business -Why Black Lung Is Rising in Coal Country Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, suddenly disappeared. Qin was a rising star in Chinese politics and a protegé of China’s strongman leader, Xi Jinping. In the first episode of our three-part investigation, we chart Qin’s rise and begin to untangle the mystery of his disappearance. This series was originally published in October. Further Listening:- Episode 2: The Affair - Apple | Spotify - Episode 3: The Downfall - Apple | Spotify We'll be back with something new on January 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mariah Carey released "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 1994 to moderate success. Today, the song is a megahit and Christmas playlist staple. What happened? WSJ's John Jurgensen called up the "Queen of Christmas" to find out. This episode was originally published on December 11, 2020.We'll return with something new on January 2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Bond This could be James Bond is one of Hollywood's most famous characters. So when Amazon bought the rights to distribute Bond, executives had big plans for the brand’s intellectual property. But so far, Amazon hasn't made a single Bond movie. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel takes us inside the feud that’s tying up the franchise. Further Reading: -Where Is James Bond? Trapped in an Ugly Stalemate With Amazon Further Listening: -Why Hollywood Is Betting Big on 'Wicked' -Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The killing of a top health insurance executive outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel this month triggered an outpouring of public anger at private health insurance companies. WSJ’s Julie Wernau reports that many doctors are among the aggrieved. And two doctors explain how dealing with health insurers is getting worse. Further Listening: - The Suspect in the UnitedHealth Killing Further Reading: - Doctors Say Dealing With Health Insurers Is Only Getting Worse - Clues Left by a Killer Echo Widespread Anger at Health Insurers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BookTok, the corner of TikTok that’s all about books, has shaken up the publishing world. Over the last few years, the platform has pulled in new readers, especially in the romance and fantasy genres. And now some of the largest publishers in the U.S. are finding new talent and rethinking their strategies because of TikTok. We hear from an author, a bookstore owner and a publisher about how TikTok has transformed the book industry. Further Listening: -The Rise of the Tween Shopper -Inside One Publisher’s Fight Against Book Bans -Scholastic's Succession Drama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After nearly a decade and $10 billion in development, General Motors is ending its robotaxi program. WSJ’s Christopher Otts explains why Cruise wasn’t working for the legacy car company. Further Reading: -General Motors Scraps Cruise Robotaxi Program -GM’s Self-Driving Car Unit Skids Off Course Further Listening: -How Waymo Won Over San Francisco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intel—the company whose chips were “inside” your ‘90s desktops—has fallen behind in recent years. Now, the CEO hired to turn things around is suddenly out. WSJ’s Asa Fitch explains how the once-dominant chip brand lost its edge. Further Reading: - He Was Going to Save Intel. He Destroyed $150 Billion of Value Instead. - Intel Co-CEOs Outline Strategy Following Pat Gelsinger’s Ouster Further Listening: - America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage - Why Washington Went to Wall Street to Revive the Chips Industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the war in Ukraine began, strange attacks have been happening across Europe, including a plot to set DHL packages on fire. WSJ’s Bojan Pancevski on Russia’s escalating shadow war in Europe. Further Reading: -Chinese Ship’s Crew Suspected of Deliberately Dragging Anchor for 100 Miles to Cut Baltic Cables -Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S.-Bound Planes -The Misfits Russia Is Recruiting to Spy on the West Further Listening: -Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations with Vladimir Putin -How Ukraine Built a Weapon to Control the Black Sea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, a federal judge blocked a proposed $20-billion merger between the U.S.’s two largest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas reports on what happened in the trial, why the two chains turned on one another and what’s next for the grocery business. Further Listening: - The Fight for 7-Eleven - Why the FTC is Challenging a $25 Billion Supermarket Merger Further Reading: - Albertsons Sues Kroger, Terminates Merger After Judge Blocks Supermarket Megadeal - Kroger-Albertsons Merger Blocked by Court, Handing Victory to Biden Antitrust Enforcers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, the price of Bitcoin reached $100,000 per coin, an all-time-high as President-elect Donald Trump promises his administration will be crypto-friendly. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich breaks down the outlook for cryptocurrency. Further Reading: -Bitcoin Hits $100,000, Lifted by Hopes of a Crypto-Friendly Washington -Crypto Players Celebrate SEC Pick, Bitcoin Touches $100,000 Further Listening: -Inside the Trump Crypto Bromance -Coinbase’s CEO on the Future of Crypto Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a manhunt lasting nearly a week, authorities have arrested and charged a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson. WSJ’s Joshua Chaffin unpacks what we know about the alleged killer, his possible motivations, and the public rage that has bubbled up as the search continued. Further Reading: - Suspect in UnitedHealth Killing Was Ivy Leaguer With Anticapitalist Leanings - Manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Meets Unexpected Obstacle: Sympathy for the Gunman - Murder at Dawn: A Top Executive’s Final Moments in Manhattan Further Listening: - The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec - Why So Many Emergency Rooms Are Failing Kids in America Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After decades of brutal dictatorship in Syria, the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell in a matter of days. WSJ’s Yaroslav Trofimov reports on the rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani and how regional players are responding to political change in Syria. Further Listening: - What the Ceasefire in Lebanon Means for the Middle East - Ten Days That Shifted Power in Syria Further Reading: - The 11-Day Blitz by Syrian Rebels That Ended 50 Years of Assad Rule - Assad’s Downfall Marks a New Realignment in the Middle East - How a Syrian Rebel Went From an American Jail to Seizing Aleppo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, Maurizio Cattelan’s “Comedian,” a piece of conceptual art that consists of a banana duct taped to a wall, sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $6.2 million. WSJ’s Kelly Crow traces the banana’s origins from Art Basel Miami in 2019 to the top of the art market this year. Further Listening: - A Russian Billionaire, an Art Dealer and an Epic Feud - The Basquiat Sisters on Managing One of Art's Hottest Brands Further Reading: - A $6.2 Million Banana and the Unexpected Return of the Art Market - Someone Just Paid $6.2 Million for a Banana Duct-Taped to a Wall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices