WSJ What’s News – “U.S. Sends Iran Plan to End War”

Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Luke Vargas

Episode Overview

In this AM edition, the Wall Street Journal covers major developments including Meta’s historic liability verdict regarding child safety, a new U.S. plan sent to Iran to stop the ongoing conflict, global tech and business updates, and China’s clampdown on wine imports. The episode dives deep into the legal, diplomatic, and economic impacts of these stories, offering expert insights from WSJ correspondents and reporters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meta Found Liable for Failing to Protect Children (00:33–04:03)

• Major Verdict:
  A New Mexico jury found Meta liable for not protecting young people on its platforms from abuse, solicitation, and trafficking. Civil penalties of $375 million were ordered. This comes amid a global reckoning over social media companies’ responsibilities.
• Legal Landscape and Ramifications:
  • US Approach: Liability cases are moving through state and federal courts, given the absence of comprehensive federal regulation, compared to the EU's Digital Services Act.
  • Lagging Regulation:
    “We’re litigating the fallout of the social media revolution that began a generation ago. It remains to be seen how quickly courts, individuals, governments will tackle what we’re seeing in the AI revolution.”
    – Sam Schechner, Tech Reporter, (03:37)
• American vs. European Approaches:
  The US relies on state-level and class-action litigation, while Europe enforces content moderation with direct regulatory power.
• Meta’s Response:
  Meta disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal.
• Ongoing Legal Pressure:
  Over 2,000 similar lawsuits are pending in federal court.

Notable Quote:
“What I think it shows is a new willingness by states, by courts, and now juries to hold social media companies responsible for what happens on their platforms.”
– Sam Schechner, (02:11)

2. Tech & Market Highlights (04:03–06:51)

• Meta Stock Incentives:
  Plans for huge executive stock awards if the company’s market cap surpasses $9 trillion by 2031—a sixfold rise from today.
• ARM Holdings:
  Announces entry into chip production, creating direct competition with partners like Nvidia and Alphabet, and collaborating with Meta.
• SK Hynix Listing:
  South Korean chipmaker seeks a US IPO, aiming to fund AI chip development.
• Pop Mart’s Toy Craze:
  The Chinese collectible “Lebooboo” becomes a sensation, with profits quadrupling, though investors are concerned about future momentum.
  • Soundbite of excitement:
    “This is the most exciting day of my life. My best friend Brooke sent me a little Boo Boo.”
    – Unboxing audio, (06:17)

3. U.S. Sends Iran Plan to End War (07:24–09:05)

• Diplomatic Efforts:
  The U.S. has proposed a 15-point plan to Iran, including demands to: - Fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz - Cease uranium enrichment and dismantle major nuclear sites - End funding for proxies and reduce the missile program
  • Incentive:
    In exchange, all oil and banking sanctions on Iran would be lifted—a major concession.
  • Significance:
    "That's kind of the best thing Iran could get out of these negotiations."
    – Benoit Faucon, WSJ Middle East Correspondent, (08:09)
• Regional Reaction:
  • Gulf countries express anxiety about a deal that might leave Iran militarily capable.
  • Qatar is particularly eager for a resolution due to LNG export disruptions; Saudi Arabia and UAE want Iran "disabled."
• Military Developments:
  Pentagon plans to deploy about 3,000 US soldiers for ongoing operations, though not directly into Iran as yet.

4. U.S. National Security, Tech & Private Equity Scrutiny (09:05–10:41)

• Anthropic vs. Pentagon:
  • A federal judge challenges the US Government’s move to ban AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk.
    • Judge Rita Lynn signals that “the Trump administration’s actions didn’t align with its stated national security concerns.” (09:27)
• Private Equity in Childcare:
  • Senate launches an investigation into private equity’s influence on childcare facilities, examining the balance between profit and safety.

5. China’s Party Eyes Wine (10:41–11:46)

• Market Downturn:
  Imports of foreign wine to China have halved since 2018 due to economic slowdown and an official crackdown on "unbecoming behavior" among party members.
  • "For years, a thirst for fine wine in China has been a boon for the world’s top growing regions... Now that demand has really evaporated."
    – John Eamont, WSJ Reporter, (11:13)
• Global Fallout:
  • Winemakers in Bordeaux and Australia suffer, with surplus wine left unsold and grapevines uprooted.
• Corporate Impact:
  Australian Treasury Wine Estates and European giants report large losses linked to China’s shrinking demand.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Social Media Liability:
  “There is, however, a lag time with all of these approaches. We’re litigating the fallout of the social media revolution that began a generation ago. It remains to be seen how quickly courts, individuals, governments will tackle what we’re seeing in the AI revolution.”
  – Sam Schechner, (03:37)

• On Sanctions Relief to Iran:
  “That’s kind of the best thing that Iran could get out of these negotiations.”
  – Benoit Faucon, (08:09)

• On China’s Wine Market Collapse:
  “We’re seeing winemakers having to pull up vines in both countries and just leave fruit to rot.”
  – John Eamont, (11:41)

Important Timestamps

• Meta verdict coverage begins: 00:33
• Tech/legal analysis with Sam Schechner: 01:52–04:03
• New Iran plan breakdown: 07:24–09:05
• China wine market story: 10:41–11:46

Tone and Style

The reporting is brisk, analytical, and concise, blending expert interviews with up-to-the-minute business and geopolitical news. The tone remains authoritative, direct, and informative, distilling complex events into their global implications—true to the Wall Street Journal’s reputation.