Primaries to Test Whether GOP Has Room for Politicians Who Cross Trump

Today's episode of WSJ What’s News reviews a mix of developments ranging from energy markets and technology concerns to labor agreements and a set of Republican primaries that may clarify the party's tolerance for internal dissent.

Iran Talks and Oil Prices

President Trump announced he had paused planned U.S. strikes on Iran after Gulf leaders requested time for negotiations, stating that serious peace talks are now underway. Oil prices declined on the news, though the president noted that a full-scale attack remains possible if no acceptable deal emerges. The update follows earlier threats of military action and reflects an effort to de-escalate amid ongoing regional tensions.

Technology Pushback and New Ventures

Public unease over artificial intelligence is accelerating, illustrated by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt receiving boos during a University of Arizona commencement address focused on job losses, energy demands, and social disruption. At the same time, Google and Blackstone are forming a new AI cloud company that will use Google's custom chips, with Blackstone supplying the majority of a $5 billion equity commitment and targeting 500 megawatts of capacity next year. Recent local votes, including the ouster of council members in Fastest, Missouri, over a proposed data-center project, show growing resistance tied to electricity costs and land use.