Why Chinese Fentanyl Factories Are Making Peptides Now

The smart ring company Oura has grown quickly. Its wearable tech seems to be everywhere: in slick ad campaigns, on celebrities’ social media, and on the fingers of regular people hoping to improve their health. Yet when Oura tried to go public late last month, it couldn’t find enough buyers. So the company stalled its listing. WSJ’s David Wainer explains what this delay reveals about investors’ appetites. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - The Great IPO Frenzy of 2026 - $25 Billion to Zero: Bill Ackman’s Bungled IPO Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Composer Ludwig Göransson has scored films like “Black Panther” and “Oppenheimer,” and his latest is Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the longstanding column of the same name, Lane Florsheim sits down with Ludwig to talk about his Christmassy oatmeal, writing music with 40 bronze gongs during the LA fires and the bottom shelf where he keeps his Oscars. Photo: Austin Hargrave Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years Xbox was the console of choice for serious gamers. But after a failed bet that it could revolutionize gaming through its streaming platform GamePass, the brand has been languishing. Now, a new CEO is overseeing a major turnaround effort. WSJ’s Ben Fritz lays out the new strategy. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: Is the Hottest Investment Pokémon Cards? Microsoft’s CEO Has a Message: Don’t Let AI Eat the Economy Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. aviation officials and industry insiders have long whispered about a deadly problem with air travel: rogue pilots with severe mental health issues intentionally crashing planes. WSJ’s Andrew Tangel reports on why this issue is a struggle for the airline industry, why pilots are afraid to ask for help and how engineers are trying to solve the problem. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: An Air Traffic Controller Speaks Out About Newark Airport The Life and Death of a Boeing Whistleblower Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world’s biggest chemical industry is in China. For years, Chinese factories have also been a major producer of ingredients used to make fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that has contributed to thousands of deaths in the U.S. After a recent crackdown in China, WSJ’s Patricia Kowsmann reports that some of those same factories are now entering a new booming U.S. market: bootleg peptides. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Peptides Are Everywhere. Businesses Are Cashing In. - How Cocaine is Flooding in Europe Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Red, White and Who?” The Journal’s election mini-series is back to cover the midterms. Every Wednesday for the next five weeks, Ryan Knutson talks with reporters around the country about issues important to voters. This week: in Ohio, a backlash against AI data centers is scrambling old political loyalties. WSJ’s Cameron McWhirter and producer Matt Kwong travel across the state, where some Republicans say the issue is changing how they view the Senate race between Democrat Sherrod Brown and Republican Jon Husted. Further Listening:- A Data Center Offered $26 Million for Her Land. She Said No. - A Data Center Revolt in Missouri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come see The Journal Live! Tickets for our show in Dallas are on sale now. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Washington, some subtle signs and unusual requests sparked questions about his health. WSJ’s Lingling Wei explains why there’s so much secrecy surrounding Xi’s well-being and why the world’s second largest economy doesn’t have a clear succession plan. Imani Moise hosts. Further Listening: - Trump and Xi to Meet at High-Stakes Summit - China's Disappearing Generals Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Google’s tools become more and more common in American classrooms, students are increasingly relying on AI tools to bypass the hard work of learning. WSJ’s Shalini Ramachandran explores how this trend is impacting students and sparking a backlash from parents and educators. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - How YouTube Took Over the American Classroom - The High Schools Going All-In on AI Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astronaut Randy Bresnik is leading NASA’s Artemis III mission into space next year. In My Monday Morning, a new Journal video series inspired by the long standing column of the same name, Lane Floresheim sits down with Randy to talk about his leadership style, how he sleeps while afloat, and what it’s like starting the week in space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come see The Journal Live! Tickets for our show in Dallas are on sale now. High-powered speedboats fitted with radar systems are sneaking tons of cocaine past authorities in Spain, flooding Europe with the illicit drug. WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen traveled to Spain’s southern coast to learn more about the boats and why authorities are unable to stop them. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - Inside Mexico's Decision to Take Down a Drug Lord - Drug Cartels' New Weapon: Chinese Money Launderers Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices