Powerful Earthquakes Rock Myanmar, Thailand

Summary

WSJ What’s News – Detailed Summary
Episode: Powerful Earthquakes Rock Myanmar, Thailand
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Host: The Wall Street Journal

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1. Devastating Earthquakes Strike Myanmar and Thailand

The episode opens with a report on a series of powerful earthquakes that have recently impacted Myanmar and Thailand. One of the earthquakes reached a magnitude of 7.7, causing significant destruction and human suffering.

• Impact in Myanmar: In Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s capital, numerous individuals suffered injuries and were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

• Tragic Collapse in Bangkok: A particularly devastating earthquake triggered the collapse of an apartment block under construction in Bangkok, Thailand. The National Institute of Emergency Medicine confirmed that 50 people were hospitalized, and sadly, one person lost their life due to the collapse.

Luke Vargas [01:04]: “Thailand's National Institute of Emergency Medicine said 50 people had been transferred to hospital and one person died in the collapse.”

For continuous updates on this developing story, listeners are directed to visit WSJ.com.

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2. Israel Provides Sensitive Intelligence to the U.S.

In an exclusive report, the podcast reveals that Israel supplied sensitive intelligence regarding a Houthi military operative targeted in a U.S. strike in Yemen. This intelligence sharing has become a focal point in the current political turmoil.

• Intelligence Details: National Security Adviser Mike Waltz texted that a key Houthi missile expert was identified entering a building that was subsequently destroyed. This intelligence reportedly originated from an Israel-linked human source on the ground in Yemen.

• Political Fallout: Israeli officials have expressed concern over Waltz's texts becoming public, although Trump administration officials maintain that the texts did not contain classified information.

Pam Bondi [02:42]: “Deflected, well, first it was sensitive information, not classified and inadvertently released. And what we should be talking about is it was a very successful mission. Our world is now safer because of that mission.”

Waltz has taken responsibility for initiating the signal chat, while the Israeli prime minister's office declined to comment on the matter.

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3. U.S. Economic Demands on Ukraine Intensify

The U.S. is placing new economic pressures on Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv relinquish profits from various projects to compensate for American financial and military aid. The latest proposal includes:

• Resource Demands: Profits from Ukrainian oil and gas resources.

• Omissions in the Agreement: The updated draft lacks provisions for American security guarantees, a significant departure from the original agreement set to be signed before the late February incident at the White House.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the new proposal requires detailed study, highlighting the complexities faced by Ukraine amid ongoing U.S.-Russia peace talks.

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4. Vice President J.D. Vance’s Tense Visit to Greenland

Vice President J.D. Vance is visiting Greenland, a move that has sparked controversy and anger on the island, perceived as an act of aggression. This visit occurs amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and Europe, largely influenced by Vance's recent comments.

Dan Michels, Brussels bureau chief, provides insight into Vance's diplomatic approach:

Dan Michels [04:47]: “All indications are that this visit did not follow standard international diplomatic protocol. And that seems to be Vance's approach to kind of toss out the standard traditional niceties of diplomacy and just be very blunt about what he thinks and what he believes other countries should do and how the United States should approach them.”

Further Insights:

• Perception in Europe: While Vance maintains that his stance is one of “tough love,” aiming to encourage European allies to contribute more significantly within NATO and address cultural issues, many in Europe perceive his actions and comments as hostile and aggressive.

Dan Michels [05:25]: “He actually likes Europe and thinks that Europeans are US Allies, but that the Europeans haven't been pulling their weight within the Western alliance.”

This strained relationship is compounded by actions such as the cutting of USAID and the termination of the Voice of America broadcasts, which Europeans interpret as the U.S. retreating from its traditional leadership role in supporting liberal democracy.

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5. U.S. Executive Orders Targeting Unionized Federal Workers and Law Firms

President Trump has issued two significant executive orders that signal a crackdown on both federal unions and major law firms connected to his administration’s investigations.

• Targeting Federal Unions: The administration aims to end collective bargaining with workers at agencies involved in intelligence and national security. The only exemptions are for police and firefighters. This move affects employees across departments like State, Defense, and Veterans Affairs.

  Trump cited the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act as the legal basis for this action. The American Federation of Government Employees Union is preparing to challenge this decision legally.

• Crackdown on Law Firms: The second executive order specifically targets Wilmer Hale, stripping it of security clearances and restricting its access to federal buildings. Wilmer Hale had previously lobbied against the order, leveraging its ties to the administration.

  Other Firms Affected: Firms such as Scadden are in talks to avoid similar repercussions, while Perkins Coie has initiated a lawsuit challenging the president's actions.

Erin Mulvaney and Dana Mattioli provide additional context in their reporting, highlighting how these orders are disrupting the U.S. legal industry and stirring client concerns.

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6. Australian Elections Set Amid Economic and Global Uncertainties

Australians are gearing up for elections in early May, as Prime Minister Antony Albanese calls for a vote of confidence amidst a backdrop of economic recovery and an unpredictable global environment.

• Campaign Highlights:

  • Labor Government: Emphasizes falling interest rates, stronger wage growth, and tamed inflation as indicators of their successful governance.

  • Opposition Liberal National Coalition: Proposes tax changes to lower fuel costs and advocates for building nuclear power plants to replace coal, addressing energy and environmental concerns.

Pam Bondi [08:29]: “Over the last few years, the world has thrown a lot at Australia in uncertain times. We cannot decide the challenges that we will face, but we can determine how we respond.”

Additionally, the Trump White House’s imposition of tariffs on Australian steel and aluminum has added another layer of complexity to the election landscape, with global issues and leadership likely to be pivotal campaign themes.

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7. European Economic Indicators Show Signs of Recovery

Despite the looming threat of tariffs that could undermine the already sluggish growth within the Eurozone, fresh economic data from Europe presents a more optimistic outlook.

• Inflation Trends: Countries like France and Spain are experiencing low inflation, indicating slower price rises and setting the stage for potential interest rate cuts in the near future.

• Consumer and Business Confidence: German factories are showing an upbeat outlook, with increased consumer confidence suggesting that Germany is moving past what was perceived as maximum economic gloom.

Paul Hannan, Economics Editor, explains:

Paul Hannan [11:24]: “Lower borrowing costs are a boon for businesses and consumers in particular.”

These positive indicators suggest that the European economy may be on the cusp of a recovery, fostering a more optimistic future outlook.

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Conclusion

This episode of WSJ What’s News delves into a diverse array of global and political developments, from natural disasters in Southeast Asia to intricate diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Europe. It also covers significant shifts in U.S. domestic policy affecting federal workers and legal institutions, upcoming elections in Australia, and encouraging economic signs within Europe. Notable quotes and expert analyses provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate issues shaping today's world.

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Produced by Daniel Bach with supervising producer Sandra Kilhoff. For more detailed stories, visit WSJ.com and explore the show notes for additional links.

Transcript

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[Unknown]

A.

[Luke Vargas]

Powerful earthquake rocks Myanmar and Thailand plus President Trump broadens his retribution campaign against major law firms. And as Vice President Vance heads to Greenland, Europe confronts the reality that hostility from Washington could be more than just a show.

[Dan Michels]

There is the risk that what Vance is saying rubs Europeans through the wrong way to such a degree that Vance brings about a higher level of antagonism across the Atlantic.

[Luke Vargas]

It's Friday, March 28th. I'm Luke Vargas for the Wall Street Journal and here is the AM edition of what's news, the top headlines and business stories moving your world today. We begin in Thailand and Myanmar, where a series of powerful earthquakes, one of which reached a magnitude of 7.7, sent streams of wound seeking treatment in Myanmar's capital Nay PI Daw and triggered the collapse of an apartment block under construction in the Thai capital Bangkok. Thailand's National Institute of Emergency Medicine said 50 people had been transferred to hospital and one person died in the collapse. For more on this developing story, visit WSJ.com we are exclusively reporting that Israel provided sensitive intelligence on a Houthi military operative that was targeted in a US Attack in Yemen that was described in the signal chat at the center of a political firestorm, according to two U.S. officials. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz texted that a Houthi missile expert, a key target of the attacks, was seen entering a building Waltz said had been destroyed, intelligence that came from an Israel linked human source on the ground in Yemen, a US Official said. Israeli officials have complained privately about Waltz's texts becoming public. Trump administration officials officials have denied the texts contained classified information and when asked yesterday whether the Justice Department would be getting involved, US Attorney General Pam Bondi.

[Pam Bondi]

Deflected, well, first it was sensitive information, not classified and inadvertently released. And what we should be talking about is it was a very successful mission. Our world is now safer because of that mission.

[Luke Vargas]

Waltz has said he's taking responsibility for initiating the signal chat. The Israeli prime minister's office and embassy in Washington declined to comment. Meanwhile, the US Is making new economic demands of Ukraine that would see Kyiv surrender future profits from a swath of projects in order to compensate for American financial and military assistance. In addition to seeking profits from certain Ukrainian mineral projects. The latest draft of an economic deal now includes oil and gas resources, while continuing to omit mention of American security guarantees in early demand of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelenskyy said that the new proposal, which updates an agreement he and Trump had been set to sign before a late February blow up at the White House, would require detailed study. The updated proposal comes as the US Faces headwinds in brokering Ukraine, Russia peace talks, raising questions about which side Trump might try to pressure to break the deadlock. Well, speaking of the Trump administration's diplomatic Strategy, Vice President J.D. vance is set to arrive in Greenland today, a visit that sparked ire on the island, which sees the trip as an act of aggression. The trip also comes as officials around Europe are reckoning with comments made by Vance in a signal chat featuring top American officials in which he expressed disdain for what he perceived to be European freeloading. The Journal's Brussels bureau chief, Dan Michels, has been speaking to people close to Vance to understand the vice president's motives. Dan, before we get deeper into that, tell us about this visit to Greenland today and what it reveals about Vance's diplomatic instincts and US Policy at the moment.

[Dan Michels]

All indications are that this visit did not follow standard international diplomatic protocol. And that seems to be Vance's approach to kind of toss out the standard traditional niceties of diplomacy and just be very blunt about what he thinks and what he believes other countries should do and how the United States should approach them.

[Luke Vargas]

What's the end goal? One narrative around Vance's actions and his comments that have been directed towards Europe since taking office has been that it's animus. But your reporting suggests there could be something else at play here. What is Vance ultimately driving at?

[Dan Michels]

I spoke to several people who've known him for a while and are close to him, and they say that it's essentially tough love. He actually likes Europe and thinks that Europeans are US Allies, but that the Europeans haven't been pulling their weight within the Western alliance. And that's on essentially the NATO front, where there's a lot of discussion about spending on militaries. But then there's this whole other area of cultural issues, freedom of speech, migration, that are hot button issues within the MAGA community. And some people in Europe align with those views. But a lot of people don't and feel that in what Vance is saying and in his actions, like coming to Europe essentially uninvited, there's a degree of hostility, aggression in it.

[Luke Vargas]

If Vance is doing this as some of his ideological allies say is born of tough love. We want Europe ultimately to be strong and to align with the US the way European countries react to this could unfold in a way that isn't in.

[Dan Michels]

Line with the US Very much so. And some of the actions by the administration, like cutting usaid, are seen in Europe as undermining the Western alliance. The ending of what some might call propaganda, others might call messaging, like Voice of America, have sparked a feeling across Europe that the US Is stepping away from its role as the leader of the west, supporting liberal democracy, supporting those who want to fight for causes that traditionally the west stood up for. So there's on one level, just a degree of confusion in Europe what the administration is trying to achieve, in part because Europeans have found Vance quite charming and cooperative in private, willing to discuss issues, but in public find him much more abrasive.

[Luke Vargas]

That was the Journal's Brussels bureau chief, Dan Michaels. Dan, thanks so much.

[Dan Michels]

My pleasure, as always.

[Luke Vargas]

Coming up, we'll recap a pair of executive orders out of Washington targeting unionized federal workers and another big law firm. Plus, Paul Hannan drops by to share some good economic news out of Europe. That and more after the break.

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[Luke Vargas]

Australians are set to go to the polls in early May after Prime Minister Antony Albanese called for elections against a backdrop of an economic recovery and an uncertain global outlook.

[Pam Bondi]

Over the last few years, the world has thrown a lot at Australia in uncertain times. We cannot decide the challenges that we will face, but we can determine how we respond.

[Luke Vargas]

Polls point to a tight race, with Albanese's Labour government expected to point to falling interest rates, stronger wage growth and tamed inflation, while the opposition Liberal National Coalition is proposing tax changes to lower fuel costs and building nuclear power plants to replace coal. Global issues and leadership will likely be key features of the campaign, too, as the Trump White House targets Australia with tariffs on steel and aluminum. Well, speaking of the White House, we've got two more executive orders from President Trump to discuss. First, he moved to end the government's collective bargaining with workers at agencies involved in intelligence and national security and only exempting police and firefighters. The move could affect workers at the Departments of State, Defense, Veterans affairs and more, and follows prior moves to chip away at union bargaining rights within the government. Trump cited the 1978 Civil Service Reform act as giving him authority to issue yesterday's order, while the American Federation of Government Employees Union said it was preparing immediate legal action. And in a separate order, Trump targeted yet another major law firm, this time Wilmer Hale, yanking its security clearances and restricting its access to federal buildings. The order singled out Wilmer Hale's ties to former special counsel Robert Mueller, who investigated ties between the president and his campaign and Russia. Wilmer had lobbied to avoid the executive order, hoping to leverage its ties to the administration, including helping vet top officials and preparing some for their confirmation hearings. Several additional firms are scrambling to avoid being targeted next, including Scadden, which we report is in talks with the administration. Among those already targeted by Trump, Perkins Coie is the only firm that's filed a lawsuit challenging the president's actions. The journals Dana Mattioli and Erin Mulvaney have the story on why it decided to fight back, how that's gone over with clients, and how Trump's orders have roiled the clubby US Legal industry. We've left a link to that story in our show notes. And in markets news, a raft of fresh data is pointing to light at the end of the tunnel for the European economy, despite imminent tariffs that are threatening to dampen already lackluster Eurozone growth. Low inflation in France and Spain points to slower price rises and tees up fresh cuts to interest rates in the months ahead. And as economics editor Paul Hannan told us, lower borrowing costs are a boon for businesses and consumers in particular.

[Unknown]

So we've had some business surveys that have pointed to a more upbeat outlook amongst German factories in particular. I mean, these guys are going to be making the armaments that help Europe rebuild its kind of military capacity. But also today, we're seeing signs that consumers are buying into this slightly less gloomy story with a rise in German consumer confidence. So, yeah, there are definitely signs that we're past maximum European gloom and people are beginning to think, well, maybe the future is a little brighter than we'd expected it to be.

[Luke Vargas]

And that's it for what's news for this Friday morning. Today's show was produced by Daniel Bach with supervising producer Sandra Kilhoff. And I'm Luke Vargas for the Wall Street Journal. We will be back tonight with a new show. Otherwise, have a great weekend and thanks for listening.