The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson. The Journal is a co-production from Gimlet Media and The Wall Street Journal.

The Journal.

Artem Uss is a Kremlin-linked businessman accused of illegally exporting American military technology to Russia. Last October he was arrested in Italy at the U.S.’s request. Then he vanished. WSJ’s Margherita Stancati explains how he escaped.



Further Reading:

- How a High-Value Russian Wanted by the U.S. Escaped From Italy 



Further Listening: 

- A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia 

- Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter’s Detention 



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Italy Caught a Russian Fugitive. Then He Vanished.

Only seven American companies have ever been worth a trillion dollars. Some came from garages. Others were started in college dorm rooms. Nvidia was born in a Denny's. WSJ's Asa Fitch on how the explosion of AI helped the chip maker become one of the most valuable companies in the world. 



Further Reading:

- The $1 Trillion Company That Started at Denny’s 

- The AI Boom Runs on Chips, but It Can’t Get Enough 

- How AI Is Catapulting Nvidia Toward the $1 Trillion Club 



Further Listening:

- America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage 



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The $1 Trillion Company That Started at Denny’s

For years, Disney and Comcast have been locked in a battle over Hulu. Now, the streamer’s co-owners are trying to bring an end to their uneasy marriage. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel unpacks the years of wrangling and the looming deal that could leave Disney with full ownership of Hulu.  



Further Reading:

- Inside Disney and Comcast’s Fight Over the Future of Hulu 



Further Listening:

- Does the Future of Streaming Look More Like Cable? 

- The Disney Boss Who Wouldn’t Let It Go 



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The Showdown Over Hulu 

Over the past four years, Jay Gajavelli built a real-estate empire using funds from small investors who wanted to make passive income. Last year, Gajavelli’s company owned more than 7,000 apartments in the Houston area. Now he’s at the center of one of the biggest commercial real-estate blowups in years. WSJ’s Will Parker details what happened and what it says about the housing market going forward.



Further Reading: 

- A Housing Bust Comes for Thousands of Small-Time Investors 



Further Listening: 

- How High Will Interest Rates Go? 



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The Downfall of a Real Estate Empire

We’re off today, but we still have an episode for you! 



Hidden records show that thousands of senior executive branch employees owned stocks in companies whose fates were affected by their employers’ actions. WSJ’s Brody Mullins and Rebecca Ballhaus take us inside the nearly year-long Wall Street Journal investigation. This episode originally aired in October 2022. 



Further Reading:

-Government Officials Invest in Companies Their Agencies Oversee 

-131 Federal Judges Broke the Law by Hearing Cases Where They Had a Financial Interest 

-Congressional Staffers Gain From Trading in Stocks 



Further Listening:

-The Federal Law that 138 Judges have broken 

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Thousands of Government Officials Own Stocks In Companies Their Agencies Oversee

When Kellie Castillo needed a place to live, she ended up at Wood Street, one of the largest homeless encampments in California. State authorities have spent the past several months shutting Wood Street down, leaving people like Kellie to figure out what’s next. WSJ’s Christine Mai-Duc describes what’s behind the state’s decision and what it means for the unhoused in California.



Further Reading: 

- California Gov. Newsom Updates Plan to Fight State’s Homelessness Problem 

- California’s Homelessness Problem Pits Gov. Gavin Newsom Against Mayors 



Further Listening: 

- Checking Out of Hotel 166 



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Evicted on Wood Street: California's Housing Crisis

Supreme is known for buzzy items, long lines and frenzied sell-outs. But lately, Supreme’s products are still available days after release. WSJ’s Jacob Gallagher discusses the brand’s rise and what’s changed.



Further Reading: 

- Is Supreme Still Cool? 



Further Listening: 

- ​​The Designer Who Made Streetwear Luxury 



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Is Supreme Still the King of Streetwear?

In an interview at WSJ's CEO Council Summit with editor Thorold Barker, Elon Musk talked about whether he regrets buying Twitter, who might eventually take the helm of the three companies he runs and how AI will change our future.



Further Reading:

- Ron DeSantis to Launch 2024 Presidential Run in Twitter Talk With Elon Musk 

- Elon Musk Wants to Challenge Google and Microsoft in AI 

- The Elon Musk Doctrine: How the Billionaire Navigates the World Stage 



Further Listening:

- Twitter’s New CEO: The Velvet Hammer 





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Elon Musk on 2024 Politics, Succession Plans and Whether AI Will Annihilate Humanity

After car theft videos went viral on social media, Hyundai and Kia have been reckoning with a surge in stolen vehicles. WSJ’s Sean McLain unpacks how the thefts started and how the companies are trying to address them.



Further Reading:

- Kia, Hyundai Thefts Continue Three Months After Carmakers Deployed Fix- Cities Sue Hyundai, Kia After Wave of Car Thefts  

- States Urge Recall of Millions of Kia, Hyundai Cars After Sharp Rise in Thefts 



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Kia and Hyundai’s ‘Kia Boyz’ Problem

The federal government uses debt to pay about a quarter of its bills and the federal borrowing limit is maxed out. WSJ’s Andrew Duehren explains the June 1st X-date (when the U.S. runs out of funds) and some catastrophic potential outcomes if Congress doesn’t raise or suspend the federal borrowing limit.   



Further Reading: 

- When Is the Debt Ceiling Deadline and What Happens if the Limit Isn’t Raised? 

- Yellen Says Treasury Still Expects U.S. Could Default as Soon as June 1 

- World Leaders Warily Watch U.S. Debt-Limit Standoff 



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The Clock Is Ticking on the Debt Ceiling

Companies continue to raise prices on everything from streaming services to handbags, sometimes at a rate that exceeds the pace of inflation. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner and Greg Ip unpack why this is happening.



Further Reading:

- Pricing Power: This Is Kate Spade’s Hottest Bag…and It Costs $500 

- We May Be Getting Used to High Inflation, and That’s Bad News 



Further Listening:

- Why the Fed Raised Interest Rates Amidst a Banking Crisis 

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Why Some Companies Keep Getting Away With Higher Prices

The IRS will begin a pilot program next year to help some taxpayers fill out and file their income tax returns for free online. WSJ’s Richard Rubin on the government’s first steps towards building a competitor to TurboTax and H&R Block. 



Further Reading:

- IRS Will Offer Free Online Tax Prep for Some Taxpayers in 2024 

- TurboTax Settlement: How to Know If You Qualify for Part of the $141 Million Payout 



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IRS Might Make Tax Season a Whole Lot Easier

Starting in July, Connecticut will put $3200 into a trust account for each baby born to parents below a designated income level. As adults, the beneficiaries can use the money—plus investment returns—to help pay for education or a home. WSJ’s Brenda León discusses Baby Bonds and why they are gaining traction in other states too.



Further Reading: 

- Could $3,200 ‘Baby Bonds’ Help End Poverty in America? 

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Closing the Wealth Gap With a Trust Fund for Babies

After Cash App founder Bob Lee died in a stabbing, some were quick to blame San Francisco’s rising crime rates. But prosecutors say Lee knew his alleged killer. WSJ’s Kirsten Grind reports on an underground world of sex and drugs that was the backdrop to the killing that shocked the tech community. 



Further Reading:

- Before His Killing, Tech Executive Bob Lee Led an Underground Life of Sex and Drugs 

- Cash App Founder Bob Lee Fatally Stabbed in San Francisco 



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The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec

Linda Yaccarino established herself as an advertising sales machine at NBCUniversal. On Friday, Elon Musk announced she’d be Twitter’s new CEO. WSJ’s Amol Sharma discusses some of the challenges Yaccarino will face at the revenue- starved social media platform. 



Further Reading: 

- Meet Linda Yaccarino, Elon Musk’s New Twitter CEO and the Ad World’s ‘Velvet Hammer’ 



Further Listening:

- Why Elon Musk's Twitter Is Losing Advertisers 

- Elon Musk's 'Extremely Hardcore' Twitter 



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Twitter's New CEO: The Velvet Hammer

The blockbuster Western drama about a ranching dynasty in Montana is one of the most popular shows on TV. But it’s also one of the most expensive. WSJ’s Erich Schwartzel explains how the man behind it — Taylor Sheridan — became one of the priciest bets in Hollywood.      



Further Reading and Watching:

- Paramount Can’t Say No to the Man Behind ‘Yellowstone’: $50,000 a Week for His Ranch, $25 Per Cow 

- Paramount Shares Drop 28% as Streaming Costs Mount 

- The Race to Build the ‘Yellowstone’ Universe 



Further Listening:

- Netflix Turns to Ads 



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Why 'Yellowstone' Is One of TV's Most Expensive Shows

Rep. George Santos has been accused of fabricating much of his life’s story to secure public office. On Wednesday he was indicted on 13 federal charges including fraud and money laundering. The New York Republican denies the charges and has pleaded not guilty. WSJ’s Jimmy Vielkind explains what the charges will mean for him. 



Further Reading: 

-George Santos Faces 13 Felony Charges, Including Fraud and Money Laundering 

-George Santos Follows Others in Congress Who Have Confronted Legal Troubles 



Further Listening: 

-Why the Red Wave Didn’t Happen 

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The Charges Against George Santos

With tensions between the U.S. and China on the rise, the Chinese government has been investigating several consulting firms that help foreign companies do business in China. WSJ’s Dan Strumpf discusses the impact on the consulting sector and the foreign businesses that depend on it.



Further Reading: 

- U.S. Companies in China Worry Due Diligence Will End in Spy Dramas 

- China Spy Law Adds to Chilling Effect of Detentions 



Further Listening:

- Are Apple and China Breaking Up? 

- How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations 



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China’s Crackdown on Foreign Consulting Firms

On Thursday, the pandemic-era border policy known as Title 42 is expected to end. First put in place by the Trump administration, Title 42 allows migrants to be quickly deported at the southern border without a chance to ask for asylum. Now, President Biden is planning to roll out a new immigration policy to take its place. But as WSJ’s Michelle Hackman explains, this new policy is not so different from the one it is replacing. 



Further Reading: 

- Biden’s New Immigration Policy Cements End of Liberal Asylum Rules 

- What Is Title 42? What It Means for Immigration and U.S.-Mexico Border 



Further Listening: 

- What’s Driving Migrants to the Southern Border Now 



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What the End of Title 42 Means for U.S. Immigration Policy

Last month, Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer, posted on social media about a personalized can of Bud Light the brewer sent her as a gift. A boycott ensued. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney unpacks what the maker of Bud Light is doing to stem a sharp drop in sales and to support front-line teams bearing the brunt of the backlash.



Further Reading:

-Bud Light Maker Compensates Workers Targeted in Dylan Mulvaney Backlash 

-Bud Light Maker Offers Distributors Free Beer, More Ad Spending After Dylan Mulvaney Backlash 

-How Bud Light Handled an Uproar Over a Promotion With Transgender Advocate 



Further Listening: 

-The Great Beer Battle of 2019 

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Can Bud Light Still Be the Beer for Everyone?

For months, people with ADHD have been struggling to fill their prescriptions. Federal regulators say the shortage is fueled in part by increasing demand driven by telehealth startups and their aggressive marketing. WSJ’s Rolfe Winkler, who has been investigating two of those companies, explains what an impending rule change could mean for the shortage.   



Further Reading: 

- Adderall, OxyContin Prescriptions to Require In-Person Doctor Visit Under Biden Plan 

- Startups Make It Easier to Get ADHD Drugs. That Made Some Workers Anxious. 



Further Listening: 

- Uncontrolled Substances 



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What’s Behind the Adderall Shortage?

Thousands of Hollywood writers went on strike this week after failing to reach a new contract with studios. The dispute was caused, in part, by the industry’s shift to streaming, which writers say has left them shortchanged. Michael Schur is co-creator of “Parks and Recreation” and was a writer for “The Office” and “Saturday Night Live.” He tells us what’s behind the first writers strike in over 15 years. 



Further Reading and Watching:

- Hollywood Writers Strike Might Give Studios Chance to Slash Costs 

- Late-Night Shows Go Dark Amid Writers Strike 



Further Listening:

- Does the Future of Streaming Look More Like Cable? 

- Netflix Turns to Ads 



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One Hollywood Writer on the Industry’s ‘Dire’ Situation 

For years, big food and beverage companies like PepsiCo leaned hard into launching new, healthy food products. But recently, PepsiCo has decided to double down on its flagship chips and soda and is looking to make those products healthier. WSJ's Jennifer Maloney explains what it means for both the company and public health.



Further Reading:

- Pepsi’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda 



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PepsiCo’s New Healthy Diet: More Potato Chips and Soda

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon stepped in on Monday to acquire the failing First Republic Bank after it was seized by government regulators. While the deal will put an end to the recent series of bank failures, it also makes the banking industry's leader even more powerful. WSJ's Charles Forelle explains how Dimon's bid came together.



Further Reading:

-Why First Republic Bank Collapsed 

-Jamie Dimon Wins Again in First Republic Bank Deal 



Further Listening:

-Banking Troubles Are Not Over 

-Two Executives On What It's Like to Stop a Bank Run 

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America's Biggest Bank Just Got Bigger

Yevgeny Nuzhin was serving time for murder in a high-security Russian prison when the Wagner Group— a paramilitary organization employed by Russia to wage war on Ukraine— offered him freedom in exchange for six months of paid military service fighting for Russia in Ukraine. WSJ’s James Marson details how Nuzhin’s bid for freedom went gruesomely wrong.



Further Reading: 

- The Grim Life and Brutal Death of a Wagner Recruit 



Further Listening:

- ‘Putin's Chef’' Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine 



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The Grim Story of a Russian Prisoner Turned Recruit 

This week, Disney sued Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accusing him of retaliating against the company, in part for speaking out against the state’s so-called “don’t say gay” law. It’s the latest twist in the fight between the two. WSJ’s Arian Campo-Flores explains what it means for both sides.



Further Reading: 

- DeSantis’s Miscalculation: ‘Disney Is Playing the Long Game’ 

- Disney Sues Ron DeSantis After Oversight Board Voids Theme-Park Agreements 



Further Listening:

- How Disney’s CEO Got Caught in Florida’s Fight Over Gay Rights 

- Why Florida Is Fighting With Walt Disney World 



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Why Disney Is Suing DeSantis

On Monday, Fox News ousted its top host, Tucker Carlson, less than a week after it settled a defamation lawsuit, which brought reams of internal communications to light. WSJ's Keach Hagey has exclusive reporting about the major factors that contributed to the network making that decision.



Further Reading: 

- Fox News Ousts Tucker Carlson 

- What Tucker Carlson’s Ouster Means for Him and Fox News 

- Tucker Carlson’s Vulgar, Offensive Messages About Colleagues Helped Seal His Fate at Fox News 



Further Listening:

- Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News 



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Behind the Breakup of Fox and Tucker Carlson

Once the envy of the banking world, First Republic grew rapidly by catering to wealthy clients who wanted a high-touch service. But the bank’s highflying business came back to earth after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates last year and customers started moving their money. WSJ’s Rachel Louise Ensign on why First Republic is now teetering on the brink. 



Further Reading: 

- First Republic Lost $100 Billion in Deposits in Banking Panic 



Further Listening: 

- Two Executives On What It’s Like to Stop a Bank Run 

- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis? 

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Banking Troubles Are Not Over

The U.S. only has a few months until it can no longer pay its bills. Republicans say they’ll only raise the debt ceiling if Democrats agree to aggressive spending cuts. WSJ’s Natalie Andrews explains the Republican proposal and what’s at stake for the economy.



Further Reading:

-Kevin McCarthy, House GOP Debt-Limit Plan Face Crucial Test This Week 

-Kevin McCarthy Says House GOP Plans to Vote on Debt Limit, Spending Cuts 

-U.S. Nears Debt Ceiling, Begins Extraordinary Measures to Avoid Default 

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The Debt Ceiling Fight Begins

Bernard Arnault is the richest person in the world and he has spent decades preparing his five children to run his luxury-brand empire, LVMH. WSJ’s Nick Kostov learned Arnault drilled his kids in mathematics, brought them along on business trips, inside negotiations and has elevated them into senior roles. But the question remains: who will succeed Arnault at the helm of the world’s biggest luxury conglomerate? 



Further Reading: 

- The World’s Richest Person Auditions His Five Children to Run LVMH, the Luxury Empire 



Further Listening:

- How a Deal to Buy Tiffany Lost Its Sparkle 



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The World's Richest Person Is Planning for Succession

To address a nursing shortage, some of the nation’s largest hospital systems have started to use apps similar to those used for ride-hailing. WSJ’s Melanie Evans explains the pros and cons of the gig work model for nurses and hospitals.



Further Reading:

- Nurse Shortage Pushes Hospitals Into the Gig Economy 



Further Listening:

- Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom – Which Is It? 

- One Nurse, Three Covid Hotspots 



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Nursing Shortage? There's an App for That

Jimmy Zhong appeared to have pulled off the perfect crime. In December 2012, he stumbled upon a software bug that allowed him to steal 50,000 bitcoins from a site on the dark web called the Silk Road. WSJ’s Robert McMillan explains how Zhong’s stolen crypto stayed hidden until investigators developed better ways to track down crypto criminals. 



Further Reading: 

- The U.S. Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist — and Bitcoin’s Anonymity 



Further Listening:

- How The Government Tied One Couple to Billions in Stolen Bitcoin 



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How Investigators Cracked a $3.4 Billion Crypto Heist

It has been three weeks since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on an allegation of espionage that the Journal and the U.S. government vehemently deny. Yesterday, Evan appeared at a pretrial hearing in Moscow. WSJ's Ann M. Simmons explains what happened at court and what comes next.



Further Reading: 

- Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Detention 

- A Tense Wait for an Imprisoned Son 

- Jailed WSJ Reporter in Letter Home Says He Is ‘Not Losing Hope’ 



Further Listening: 

- A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia 



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Russian Court Upholds WSJ Reporter’s Detention

In 2017 the FDIC created a pool of banking veterans who would step up to help in the event of another financial crisis. For years, no one needed them. That changed last month when Tim Mayopoulos and Greg Carmichael were called in to run Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank while the FDIC tried to stabilize a banking crisis.



Further Reading: 

-Collapse of SVB, Signature Bank Tests the FDIC’s Executive Reserve Corps 

-Help Wanted: Regulators Seek Executives to Staff Failed Banks 

-Signature Bank Is Shut by Regulators After SVB Collapse 

-Silicon Valley Bank Closed by Regulators, FDIC Takes Control 



Further Listening:

-Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis 

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Two Executives On What It's Like to Stop a Bank Run

Dominion Voting Systems, which makes ballot machines, sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, claiming the cable network aired defamatory claims about its role in the 2020 election. Fox News denies wrongdoing. WSJ’s Erin Mulvaney explains what’s at stake as the highly anticipated trial is set to begin this week.



Further Reading: 

- Fox News, Dominion Each Face Risks If Defamation Case Goes to Trial 

- Documents From Fox Defamation Suit Spotlight Tension Between Prime-Time Hosts and News Personnel 

- In Deposition, Rupert Murdoch Says Fox News Hosts Endorsed False 2020 Election Claims 



Further Listening: 

- A Voting Machine Company Fights Disinformation With Lawsuits 

- Georgia's Secretary of State Defends the Election 



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Dominion Voting Systems vs. Fox News

After 35 years, Broadway's longest-running show is taking a bow. The Phantom of the Opera has sold more than 20 million tickets and grossed around $1.3 billion. MarketWatch’s Charles Passy explains what made it one of Broadway’s biggest hits.



Further Reading: 

-He’s Seen ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ 13,000 Times 

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The Curtain Closes on Phantom of the Opera

Federal investigators have arrested a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman in connection with the alleged leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents. WSJ’s Sadie Gurman discusses what we know about the documents, the arrest, and what could be next.



Further Reading:

-Air Guardsman Arrested in Connection With Leaked Documents 

-U.S. Investigation Into Leak of Classified Pentagon Documents Focuses on Insiders 

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An Arrest in the Classified Documents Leak

When JPMorgan Chase paid $175 million to acquire Frank— a college financial planning startup—  it touted big plans to connect with the company’s millions of users. Then it all went wrong. WSJ’s Melissa Korn recounts the story of what went wrong.



Further Reading:

- Frank Founder Faces Criminal Fraud Charges Over JPMorgan Deal 

- Frank Founder Says JPMorgan Knew How Many Users Firm Had in $175 Million Deal 

- JPMorgan Bought College Financial-Aid Platform for $175 Million—and Now Says Most of Its Users Were Fake 



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 A $175 Million 'Huge Mistake'

For decades, Johnson & Johnson has faced thousands of lawsuits from customers who claim the company's baby powder gave them cancer. The company denies responsibility. WSJ's Andrew Scurria explains how Johnson & Johnson is resorting to a controversial legal maneuver to try to settle the lawsuits.



Further Reading: 

-Johnson & Johnson Seeks $9 Billion Settlement of Talc Lawsuits

-J&J Sharpens the Texas Two-Step



Further listening:

-Two Days of Reckoning for Opioid Makers

-A Pause on the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

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Baby Powder, Bankruptcy and the Texas Two-Step

Rulings from two federal judges, one in Texas and one in Washington, paint a murky picture of the future of the abortion pill mifepristone. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto unpacks the legal battles with the Food and Drug Administration over the medication.



Further Reading:

- Texas Abortion-Pill Ruling Ignites New National Battle 



Further Listening:

- The Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade 

- The Booming, Unregulated Marketplace for Abortion Pills 



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The Abortion Pill’s Uncertain Future

Google has been developing large language models like chatbots for years, but it hasn’t used the technology to influence the way people use their all search function. That’s something that could be changing. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa sat down for an interview with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to talk about the way new AI could have a big impact of Google’s business.



Further Reading:

- Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says Search to Include Chat AI 

- How Google Became Cautious of AI and Gave Microsoft an Opening 



Further Listening:

- Why Google Is Behind in the AI Race 

- The Company Behind ChatGPT 





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Google CEO Sundar Pichai on How AI Could Change Search

Deforestation for palm oil production has shrunk Indonesia's rainforest, the third largest in the world and one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet. But recently, the country has found a way to tame deforestation. WSJ's Jon Emont explains how government orders, consumer boycotts and environmental activism have helped slow the destruction of Indonesia's rainforest.



Further reading: 

- Indonesia Shows It’s Possible to Tame Rainforest Destruction 



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How Indonesia Tamed Rainforest Destruction

Jack Ma, the billionaire co-founder of Alibaba, all but disappeared from the public eye following a brush with Chinese regulators in 2020. But last week, Ma returned to China just as Alibaba announced plans to split into six independently run companies. WSJ’s Jing Yang explains what it all means. 



Further Reading:

- Jack Ma Engineered Alibaba’s Breakup From Overse as

- Jack Ma’s Life After Alibaba Takes Him to a Fish Farm, Fiji and Beyond 

- Alibaba Co-Founder Jack Ma Returns to China After a Year Away 



Further Listening:

- Why the Biggest IPO Ever Blew Up 

- Didi's IPO Gets Caught In China's Tech Crackdown 

- Xi Jinping Is Rewriting the Rules of China's Economy 

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Jack Ma Returns to China and Breaks Up the Company He Built

Former President Donald Trump has become the first U.S. president to face criminal charges. He pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges alleging he concealed hush-money payments in the weeks before the 2016 election. WSJ's Joe Palazzolo— one of the reporters who first broke the story about the payments— unpacks the indictment and discusses what could come next in the case.



Further Reading:

-A History of the Trump Hush-Money Saga 

-A Guide to Trump’s Legal Perils 



Further Listening:

-People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump 

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Donald Trump Is Charged on 34 Felony Counts

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia last week and charged with espionage.  The WSJ and U.S. officials deny the accusations. We spoke to our colleagues Joe Parkinson and Drew Hinshaw about working with Gershkovich, his reporting on Russia, and what's next.



Further Reading:

- On the Ground in Putin's Russia: Evan Gershkovich's Coverage of a Country at War 

- Evan Gershkovich’s Arrest Marks a New Era of Hostage Diplomacy  

- Evan Gershkovich Loved Russia, the Country That Turned on Him 



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A WSJ Reporter Arrested in Russia

While TikTok is getting a lot of scrutiny in Washington, other Chinese apps are on the rise. Four of the five hottest apps in the U.S. in March are tied to Chinese companies. But as WSJ’s Shen Lu explains, some apps are now trying to distance themselves from their Chinese origins. 



Further Reading:

- Why Chinese Apps Are the Favorites of Young Americans 

- American Bargain Hunters Flock to a New Online Platform Forged in China 

- Chinese Startups Try to Make It Big in the U.S.—but Without the Backlash 



Further Listening:

- Exclusive: TikTok’s CEO on the App’s Future in the U.S. 

- How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App 

- Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash. 



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The Rise of Chinese Apps

Nearly 12 million women left their jobs due to pandemic disruptions. Many are finally coming back, three years on. WSJ's Lauren Weber explains how the pandemic has transformed what work looks like for many women, especially for mothers.



Further Reading:

- Women’s Return to the Workforce Piles Momentum on a Hot Economy 

- Coronavirus Employment Shock Hits Women Harder Than Men 



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Millions of Women Left Work During the Pandemic. Where Are They Now?

Tech CEO Luke Iseman has an idea he wants to sell the world: A business plan to cool the Earth by dimming the amount of sunlight that hits the planet. As WSJ’s Eric Niiler explains, the principle behind the idea, geoengineering, is getting big investment but is also sparking serious scientific debate.



Further Reading:

- Mexico Bans Climate Startup’s Experiment to Cool the Earth 



Further Listening:

- Banks’ Alliance to Fight Climate Change is on the Rocks  

- Why an Arctic Treasure is Spurring Hope and Dread 







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A Plan to Hack the Planet

In November, Yale Law School pulled out of the U.S. News & World Report law-school rankings, saying the system was flawed. A wave of law, medical and undergraduate schools quickly followed. WSJ’s Melissa Korn reports on how the revolt was decades in the making.  



Further Reading:

-The Unraveling of the U.S. News College Rankings

-Yale and Harvard Law Schools Abandon U.S. News Rankings

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The Ranking Battle in Higher Ed

After his TerraUSD cryptocurrency imploded, Do Kwon became one of the most wanted men in crypto. Last week, after a global manhunt, he was arrested at an airport in Montenegro. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich tells the story of how Kwon went from being a major crypto player to facing fraud charges in several countries.



Further Reading:

- Do Kwon Arrested in Montenegro as U.S. Charges Crypto Fugitive With Fraud 

- Cutting-Edge Crypto Coins Tout Stability. Critics Call Them Dangerous. 

- Do Kwon’s Crypto Empire Fell in a $40 Billion Crash. He’s Got a New Coin For You. 



Further Listening:

- The ‘Death Spiral’ of a Stablecoin 



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The Arrest of a Crypto Fugitive

For decades, the Robusta coffee bean has been the ugly duckling of the coffee world. Now, a new generation of coffee geeks think the time could be ripe for a Robusta revolution. WSJ’s Jon Emont explains why the humble bean is gaining momentum in the coffee industry.



Further Reading: 

- The Underdog Coffee Bean That Java Snobs Hate Is Finally Getting Some Respect

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The Underdog Coffee Bean That’s Making a Comeback

Over the past year the Federal Reserve has been steadily raising interest rates to try to bring down inflation. But the recent banking crisis has thrown a wrench into its plans. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains how the Fed is now trying to fight two problems at once.



Further Reading:

- Fed Raises Rates but Nods to Greater Uncertainty After Banking Stress 



Further Listening:

- What Just Happened at Credit Suisse? 

- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis? 

- The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed 



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Why the Fed Raised Interest Rates Amidst a Banking Crisis

Former Chinese real-estate developer and outspoken China critic Guo Wengui was arrested by the FBI last week and accused of orchestrating a $1 billion fraud. WSJ’s Aruna Viswanatha unpacks Guo’s trek from Beijing gadfly to Steve Bannon confidant to fraud suspect.



Further Reading:

- A Chinese Businessman’s Trek From Beijing Gadfly to Steve Bannon Confidant to Fraud Suspect 

- China’s Pursuit of Fugitive Businessman Guo Wengui Kicks Off Manhattan Caper Worthy of Spy Thriller 





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Yachts, Custom Cars and $36,000 Mattresses: Inside an Alleged Fraud

While campaigning for president, Joe Biden said there would be no new oil drilling on federal land. But last week he approved the Willow project, one of the largest domestic oil projects in years. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia explains why Biden made the shift.



Further Reading:

-Biden Administration Approves Willow Oil-Drilling Project in Alaskan Arctic



Further Listening:

-Why Biden Killed The Keystone XL Pipeline

-The War in Ukraine Hits American Gas Prices 

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Biden's Flip on Drilling in Alaska

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is due to testify before Congress this week, as the Biden administration demands that TikTok’s Chinese owners sell their stakes in the company or face a possible U.S. ban of the app. In this exclusive interview with WSJ’s Stu Woo, the TikTok CEO said a sale won’t solve Washington’s security concerns. 



Further Reading:

- TikTok CEO’s Message to Washington: A Sale Won’t Solve Security Concerns 



Further Listening:

- How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App 

- What’s Up With All the TikTok Bans? 



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Exclusive: TikTok’s CEO on the App’s Future in the U.S.

Google has been a pioneer in the modern era of artificial intelligence, but lately, it’s fallen behind. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa explains why the tech giant took a more cautious approach to chatbots and what’s at stake now that Microsoft has beaten them to market.



Further Reading:

-How Google Became Cautious of AI and Gave Microsoft an Opening 



Further Listening:

-The Company Behind Chat GPT 

-When AI Comes for Your Art 

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Why Google Is Behind in the AI Race

As fears about the health of global banks spread from the U.S. to Europe, the bank Credit Suisse said it would tap a more than $50 billion loan from the Swiss National Bank. WSJ’s Margot Patrick explains how Credit Suisse became a cause for concern.



Further Reading:

- Credit Suisse Stock Price Jumps as Bank Secures $50 Billion Lifeline 

- Credit Suisse Promises Overhaul in Wake of Rout as Regulators Offer Lifeline 

- Janet Yellen Says Banking System Is Healthy After SVB Collapse 



Further Listening:

- Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis? 

- The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed 



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What Just Happened at Credit Suisse?

Since February of last year, the avian flu has led to the deaths of tens of millions of farm-raised birds in the U.S., the deadliest outbreak on record. WSJ’s Patrick Thomas on how the egg industry is getting slammed and what companies are doing to try to save their flocks.  



Further Reading:

- America Is Losing the ‘Epic Battle’ Against Bird Flu 





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Bird Flu and the High Price of Eggs

WeightWatchers is buying digital health company Sequence to capitalize on the hot market for diabetes and weight loss drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy. WSJ's Andrea Petersen explains what this could mean for the wellness industry.



Further Reading:

-WeightWatchers Moves Into the Ozempic Market With Telehealth Deal 

-How a Diabetes Drug Became the Talk of Hollywood, Tech and the Hamptons 

-Health Startups Offer Diabetes Drugs Like Ozempic for Weight Loss With Little Oversight 

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Why WeightWatchers Wants in on Drugs Like Ozempic

When Silicon Valley Bank imploded last week, it was the second biggest bank failure in U.S. history. Then, over the weekend, another bank, Signature Bank, was also taken over by the government. WSJ financial editor Charles Forelle explains what kicked off this banking crisis and how the government is scrambling to contain it.



Further Reading:

- How Silicon Valley Turned on Silicon Valley Bank 

- Silicon Valley Bank Closed by Regulators, FDIC Takes Control 

- Were SVB and Signature Bank Just Bailed Out by the U.S. Government? 

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Can the Government Contain a Banking Crisis?

For years, fentanyl has flooded into the American drug market, driving a surge in overdose deaths across the country. Other drugs, like cocaine, are increasingly tainted with the synthetic opioid. We spoke to advocates Theo Krzywicki and Kalie Shorr who say a tiny test strip can help people avoid fentanyl, and WSJ's Julie Wernau explains why fentanyl is showing up everywhere.



Further Reading:

- Fentanyl Test Strips on the Dance Floor? Partygoers Face New Reality 

- Three New Yorkers Ordered Cocaine From the Same Delivery Service. All Died From Fentanyl. 

- The Fentanyl Crisis 



Further Listening:

- Purdue's $4.5 Billion Opioid Settlement Got Thrown Out. Now What?  

- States Got Hooked on Tobacco Money. Are Opioids Next?  

- Two Days of Reckoning for Opioid Makers  





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The Push to Test Drugs for Fentanyl

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told Congress this week that interest rates could go up faster and higher than previously planned. WSJ’s Nick Timiraos explains what’s behind the Fed’s change of strategy, and why it’s struggling to tame inflation. 



Further Reading:

- Powell Says Data Will Determine Size of Next Rate Increase 

- Powell Says Fed Is Prepared to Speed Up Interest-Rate Rises 

- Why the Recession Is Always Six Months Away 



Further Listening:

- Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom — Which Is It? 

- Consumers Are Starting to Freak Out 



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The Economy Is Too Hot for the Fed

A new law in Tennessee makes staging adult cabaret anywhere a minor could see it a criminal offense. WSJ’s Laura Kusisto and Steve Raimo, who performs as drag queen Veronika Electronika, on what it could mean for the drag industry. 



Further Reading:

-Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Restricting Transgender Healthcare for Minors

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What a New Law in Tennessee Means for Drag 

AI-art generators let users create fantastical images with just a few text prompts. But some artists see a problem: They say AI is ripping them off. Artist Greg Rutkowski and WSJ tech columnist Christopher Mims explain what's at stake for the art world.



Further Reading:

- AI Tech Enables Industrial-Scale Intellectual-Property Theft, Say Critics 

- Ask an AI Art Generator for Any Image. The Results Are Amazing—and Terrifying. 



Further Listening:

- The Company Behind ChatGPT 



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When AI Comes for Your Art

Three executives who formed Sam Bankman-Fried’s inner circle have now pleaded guilty to fraud charges and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. WSJ’s Alexander Osipovich on what their plea deals could spell for the FTX founder.



Further Reading: 

- Close Ally of FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Pleads Guilty to Fraud 

- How FTX’s Nishad Singh Turned to Crypto Crime 



Further Listening:

- The Charges Against FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried 

- ‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF 

- The Fall of Crypto's Golden Boy 





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The FTX Insiders Turning Against Sam Bankman-Fried

Companies like BlackRock have promoted ESG investing in recent years. But WSJ’s Julie Bykowicz says a new conservative nonprofit is pushing lawmakers to ban ESG, equating it with "woke capitalism."



Further Reading: 

- Conservatives Have a New Rallying Cry: Down With ESG

- New Conservative Group Gets $1.6 Billion Donation From Chicago Businessman  



Further Listening:

- Can My Stock Portfolio Save the Planet? 





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Conservatives Come for ESG

After Russia invaded Ukraine, Western nations hit Russia with massive sanctions. We talk to a resident in Moscow about how his life has changed and WSJ’s Georgi Kantchev on how Russia has responded to the sanctions.



Further Reading:

- Russian Deficit Soars to $25 Billion on War Spending, Oil Embargo 

- Russia Boosts China Trade to Counter Western Sanctions 



Further Listening:

- Three Ukrainians on Enduring a Year of War 

- The Financial Punishment of Russia 

- How Putin Has Planned For Sanctions 



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How a Year of Sanctions Is Impacting Russians

President Biden’s plans to cancel $400 million in student loans are on hold. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether the administration had the legal authority to cancel the debt. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia discusses the arguments for and against the program, and he explains what the decision could mean for borrowers.



Further Reading:

- Student-Loan Borrowers Likely Won’t Know for Months if Debt Will Be Forgiven 

- Supreme Court’s Student-Loan Case Will Test Limits of Presidential Power 



Further Listening:

- Breaking Down Student Debt Relief 

- How Biden Plans to Tackle Student Debt



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Will Student Debt Get Canceled? The Supreme Court Decides.

The Commerce Department is spelling out its plans to subsidize domestic chip production in order to secure the supply of advanced chips needed for America's modern weapons systems. WSJ’s Yuka Hayashi explains the national security interests in play.



Further Reading:

-Chips Act Is Bounty for Semiconductor Companies—With Many Strings Attached

-Pentagon to Reap Rewards From $53 Billion Chips Act

-Chips Act Will Test Whether U.S. Can Reverse Semiconductor Exodus



Further Listening:

-What's Wrong With the Car Market?

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America’s Answer to the Chip Shortage

Earlier this month, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in Ohio. Concerned about an explosion, authorities evacuated residents and carried out a controlled burn of toxic fumes. Now a report has found the cause of the derailment, but residents say they still have unanswered questions about the environmental impacts. WSJ's Kris Maher reports from East Palestine and Esther Fung discusses what this might mean for the rail industry.



Further Reading:

- What Happened in the Ohio Train Derailment? 

- Ohio Train Derailment: Toxic Chemicals and Distrust Remain in East Palestine 

- Train-Car Wheel Bearing Overheated Before Ohio Train Derailment, NTSB Finds 



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What Caused a Train to Derail in East Palestine, Ohio?

Russia’s war in Ukraine has upended the lives of millions of people. One year into the conflict, we check in with some of the people we have spoken with over the last twelve months to see how their lives have changed.



Further Listening:

- Russia’s Campaign to Leave Ukraine in the Dark 

- One Ukrainian Factory Owner Joins the War Effort 

- As Russia Invades, Ukrainians Weigh Fight or Flight 



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Three Ukrainians on Enduring a Year of War

Bitcoin, the nearly $500 billion cryptocurrency, isn't controlled by any one person or company. But there are five mysterious coders that keep it all running. WSJ's Paul Kiernan reports on the "maintainers" behind bitcoin.



Further Reading:

- Bitcoin’s Future Depends on a Handful of Mysterious Coders 



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The Five People Keeping Bitcoin Alive

Almost 30 years ago, Anthony Ayers spotted a dusty, wood-panel painting tucked behind an armoire in an antique shop. Over the decades, he and the group of people that helped him buy it have been on a quest to prove it was painted by Renaissance artist Raphael. WSJ’s Kelly Crow  reports on a possible break in the case and the technology that brought it about.



Further Reading:

- Is This Painting a Raphael or Not? A Fortune Rides on the Answer 



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Is This Painting a Masterpiece? AI Is On the Case

After new deadly earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria this week, the death toll this month has surpassed 45,000. WSJ’s Sune Engel Rasmussen tells the story of a youth volleyball team that traveled to Turkey earlier this month and how the country’s spotty building codes may have played a role in their tragic fate.



Further Reading:

- A Cypriot High School Volleyball Team Lost 25 Children in the Turkey Quakes 



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Two Hotels in Turkey and a Tragic Twist of Fate

We’re off today for the holiday, but we still have an episode for you!



In only five years, TikTok has gained millions of fans around the world and become a source of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China. We spoke to people who witnessed the app’s meteoric rise firsthand: influencers, former workers, and a government official who is concerned about TikTok’s data practices. This episode originally aired in November 2022.



Further Reading:

-TikTok’s Stratospheric Rise: An Oral History



Further Listening:

-Why TikTok’s Under Investigation

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How TikTok Became the World’s Favorite App

Major layoffs keep making headlines, yet the U.S. is still seeing record low unemployment. WSJ’s Ray A. Smith dives into the mystery in the job market.



Further Reading:

- Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom? What’s Actually Happening in the Jobs Market 



Further Listening:

- The New Layoff: On a Wednesday On Zoom  

- What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023? 



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Mass Layoffs or Hiring Boom — Which Is It?

What happens when an activist investor sets his sights on one of the biggest media companies in the world? WSJ’s Robbie Whelan on the proxy battle that rattled Disney.  



Further Reading:

- How Nelson Peltz and Disney’s Marvel Chief Teamed Up in Proxy Fight 



Further Listening:

- The Disney Boss Who Wouldn’t Let It Go 

- Why Florida Is Fighting With Walt Disney World 



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Disney Wars: Attack of the Activist Investor

CVS’s plan to buy Oak Street Health, a network of senior-focused clinics, is the latest sign of the growing tie-ups between health insurers and primary-care doctors. WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews  unpacks why the deal is happening and how it’s cementing CVS’s status as a healthcare giant.



Further Reading:

- CVS Reaches $10.6 Billion Deal to Buy Clinic Owner Oak Street Health 

- CVS Looks to Add Doctors to Its Payroll 

- CVS Completes $70 Billion Acquisition of Aetna 



Further Listening:

- Is Healthcare Amazon's Next Big Thing? 



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How CVS Went From Drugstore to Healthcare Juggernaut

How much are you willing to pay for love? Dating apps are asking users to pay more for features and access to matches as a way to counter slowing growth. WSJ's Heard on the Street columnist Laura Forman talks about the pressure on Match Group, the company behind some of the most popular dating apps.



Further Reading and Watching:

- The Price Is Wrong In Online Dating 

- Why Our Love Affair With Tinder Might Never Quite End 

- Online Dating Is Great—for Investors. For Customers, It’s Complicated. 

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The Price of Dating Apps

In just over a week, the U.S. has shot down four flying objects — one from China and three others of unknown origins. WSJ’s James T. Areddy on balloons, unidentified flying objects and the deterioration of relations between the two countries.



Further Reading:

-China’s Balloon Program Grew From a Humble Start

-How a Balloon Opened a New Flashpoint in U.S.-China Ties

-China Says U.S. Flew Balloons Through Its Airspace More Than 10 Times



Further Listening:

-China’s Accidental Dissidents

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How a Balloon Burst U.S.-China Relations

Days after Russia invaded Ukraine, a corpse turned up on a sidewalk in the center of Kyiv. The dead man, a 45-year-old banker named Denys Kiryeyev, was accused of being a traitor and a Russian spy. But as WSJ’s Brett Forrest reports, his work and allegiances were more complicated than they seemed.



Further Reading:  

- Russian Spy or Ukrainian Hero? The Strange Death of Denys Kiryeyev 



Further Listening: 

- Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption 



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A Spy Turned Up Dead in Ukraine. Who Was He Working For?

After decades of patent protection, the wildly successful arthritis and autoimmune drug Humira is finally facing competition. WSJ’s Jared Hopkins on what that could mean for patients and the drug industry.



Further Reading:

- Blockbuster Arthritis Drug Humira Faces Competition From First Lower-Price Copycat in U.S. 

- AbbVie Aims for New Drugs to Boost Sales as Competitors Target Humira 



Further Listening:

- How Big Pharma Lost Its Swagger 



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Is the Party Over for Best-Selling Drug Humira?

For more than a decade, the British government has run its National Health Service, the world’s largest government-run healthcare system, on a tight budget. Now, hospitals are so full they are turning patients away, and thousands of paramedics and nurses have walked out over pay. WSJ’s Max Colchester explains how budget cuts, Covid delays and an aging population are stressing the system.



Further Reading:

-The U.K.’s Government-Run Healthcare Service Is in Crisis

-U.K. Nurses Stage Biggest Ever Strike as Health System Strains

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Why Is the U.K.'s Free Healthcare Service Falling Apart?

Consumer spending accounts for roughly 70% of the economy. So when it slows, the U.S. economy risks a recession. Right now, U.S. consumers are spending less on groceries, travel and dining, breaking into their savings accounts, and putting more on their credit cards. To understand why consumers are pulling back, we sat down with one.



Further Reading:

- The U.S. Consumer Is Starting to Freak Out 

- Households Burn Through What’s Left of Their Pandemic Savings  



Further Listening:

- What Walmart’s Aisles Say About the American Consumer   

- The New Layoff: On a Wednesday On Zoom   

- What Will the Economy Look Like in 2023?  



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Consumers Are Starting to Freak Out

Gautam Adani is ubiquitous in India. His energy and infrastructure conglomerate, the Adani Group, touches the lives of millions of Indians on a daily basis. But last month, Hindenburg Research, a U.S. short seller, alleged that the company was engaged in wide-ranging fraud. WSJ’s Shan Li explains a fallout that has cost Adani billions.



Further Reading:

- How Gautam Adani Made (and Could Lose) a $147 Billion Fortune 

- Adani Plans $1.1 Billion Loan Repayment After Share Collateral Plummets 



Further Listening:

- The Firm Tanking Some of Wall Street's Hottest Stocks 



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The Short Seller Costing the Adani Group Billions

Cao Zhixin and her friends went to a rally to honor people who died in a fire. Several weeks later, they were detained by Chinese authorities and now face years in prison. WSJ's Shen Lu explains why Beijing is cracking down on a new kind of protester.



Further Reading:

- In China, Young Women Become Accidental Symbols of Defiance 

- Under Xi Jinping, Women in China Have Given Up Gains 

- The Exposure of China’s ‘Bought Wives’ 



Further Listening:

- China’s Biggest Protests in Decades 

- What the End of Zero-Covid Means for China 



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China’s Accidental Dissidents 

Russia’s invasion forces have tightened the noose around Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine with help from a paramilitary outfit called the Wagner Group. Heading the group is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close confidants -- Yevgeny Prigozhin. WSJ’s Benoit Faucon explains why the Wagner Group has been drawing condemnation for its deployments in several global hotspots.



Further Reading and Watching:

- Wagner: How Russian Mercenaries Help Putin in Ukraine 

- Russia Tightens Grip Around Bakhmut as Ukraine Awaits Western Tanks 

- As Russian Army Falters in Ukraine, Paramilitary Leader Close to Putin Flexes Power 

- Russia Leans on Mercenary Forces to Regain Global Clout 



Further Listening:

- Russia’s Campaign to Leave Ukraine in the Dark 



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'Putin's Chef' Now Serving Up Gains for Russia in Ukraine

For years, the U.S. government went after hackers by trying to arrest them. Now, they’re trying a new approach. WSJ’s Robert McMillan tells the story of how one of the world’s most infamous hacking groups, called Hive, got busted. 



Further Reading:

- FBI Disrupts ‘Hive’ Ransomware Group 



Further Listening:

- Hack Me if You Can 

- Why a Ransomware Group Is Pretending to Be a Real Company 

- Ransomware, a Pipeline and a Gas Shortage 



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Hacking the Hackers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was originally elected on an anti-corruption platform. Over the last two weeks, he has removed nearly a dozen top officials. WSJ’s James Marson explains why Zelensky is trying to shore up Western confidence in his administration at a crucial moment in the war. 



Further Reading:

-Ukraine’s Zelensky Removes Top Officials in Bid to Contain Corruption Scandals

-Ukraine’s Zelensky Urges Faster Weapons Deliveries Amid Russian Push



Further Listening:

-The Man Leading Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Zelensky's Fight Against Corruption

North of the Arctic Circle, a Swedish mining company says it has located a coveted resource: Europe’s biggest cache of rare-earth minerals, elements used for making electronics and green technology. The deposit could be a blessing for the West, but WSJ’s Kim Mackrael explains that for Sweden’s indigenous Sami people, it also puts hundreds of years of tradition in peril.



Further Reading:

- Rare-Earth Find in Sweden Lifts Hope for Shift Toward Clean Energy 



Further Listening:

- Diving Deep for Battery Metals 



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Why an Arctic Treasure Is Spurring Hope and Dread

South Africa’s state-owned power company, Eskom, is struggling to keep the lights on in the country and is now looking for a new leader after its current CEO was poisoned. WSJ’s Alexandra Wexler on the difficult job of running Eskom.



Further Reading:

- South Africa Seeks State Power Chief After CEO Says He Was Poisoned    



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Blackouts, Corruption and a Poisoned CEO

The Department of Justice is seeking to break up part of Google’s digital advertising business. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the government says the tech giant has taken actions that ‘severely weaken, if not destroy competition in the ad tech industry.’ Google says the lawsuit is an attempt to pick winners and losers. WSJ’s Miles Kruppa discusses the DOJ’s case and the moves Google made to become a giant in the online advertising space.



Further Reading:  

- DOJ Sues Google, Seeking to Break Up Online Advertising Business 

- Google Prepares for Second Antitrust Battle as DOJ Targets Its Ads Business 



Further Listening:  

- Google's Antitrust Problem 



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Why the DOJ Is Suing Google Again

Over the last year, fashion company Stitch Fix has lost 95% of its value as the company's attempts to expand beyond subscriptions floundered. WSJ columnist Laura Forman says the decline of Stitch Fix holds broader lessons for tech companies.



Further Reading:

- Stitch Fix’s Unraveling Should Sow Broader Tech Doubts 



Further Listening:

- Shein Took Over Fast Fashion. Then Came the Backlash. 



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The Unraveling of Stitch Fix

Tesla cut prices for some of its vehicles sold in the U.S. by nearly 20% earlier this month. WSJ’s Nora Eckert on what’s behind the price drop and what it means for the EV market. 



Further Reading:

-Tesla’s Price Cuts Are Roiling the Car Market

-What if Tesla Is…Just a Car Company?



Further Listening: 

-GM’s All-Electric Bet

-Will Americans Buy an Electric Truck?

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Tesla’s Big Price Cut

On Friday, FBI investigators found more classified documents at President Joe Biden’s Delaware home. This is the latest in a series of searches that turned up classified material at a number of Biden's offices and homes. WSJ’s Annie Linskey discusses the search, and what it could mean for Biden’s presidency.



Further Reading:  

- String of Classified Document Discoveries Seen Tarnishing White House 

- More Classified Documents Found at President Biden’s Delaware Home 



Further Listening: 

- Why FBI Agents Searched Mar-a-Lago 





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What's Going on With Biden's Classified Documents?

A month after China scrapped most of its zero-Covid restrictions, Omicron has spread rapidly. WSJ’s Brian Spegele explains that while some people are able to resume life as normal, infections have skyrocketed and medical facilities are stretched to their limits.



Further Reading:  

- China’s Precarious Moment: Covid Everywhere and Few Restrictions 

- China Confronts First Lunar New Year Since Covid Lockdowns Ended 

- China’s Young Protesters Wrestle With How Far to Push: ‘We Don’t Want Covid Tests, We Want Freedom’ 



Further Listening: 

- China's Biggest Protests in Decades 

- How Xi Jinping's Dream Slowed China's Economy 





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What the End of Zero-Covid Means for China

After the collapse of FTX, WSJ Reporter Eliot Brown wanted to find out where all the money went. He was surprised to discover that the biggest investment had been in a bitcoin mining company based in Kazakhstan.



Further Reading:

- Sam Bankman-Fried’s Supersized Bet: $1 Billion For A Bitcoin Miner On The Kazakh Steppe 

- FTX Says It Has Located More Than $5 Billion in Cash, Liquid Assets 



Further Listening:

- The Charges Against FTX's Sam Bankman-Fried 

- ‘Do You Expect to Go to Prison?’: An Interview With SBF  

- What’s Russia Doing in Kazakhstan? 



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Sam Bankman-Fried’s Big Investment: Bitcoin Mining in Kazakhstan

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks with WSJ Editor in Chief Matt Murray at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, about the company’s artificial-intelligence ambitions and how tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT could revolutionize the way we work.



Further Reading and Watching:

- Microsoft CEO Talks AI Integration and Leadership at Davos 

- Microsoft to Lay Off 10,000 Workers as Slowdown Hits Software Business



Further Listening:

- The Company Behind ChatGPT 



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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's Big Bet on AI

ChatGPT was released only a few months ago but the artificial intelligence chatbot has already taken the internet by storm. WSJ’s Berber Jin tells the story of the company behind ChatGPT and how the world is responding to this technology.



Further Reading:

-The Backstory of ChatGPT Creator OpenAI

-ChatGPT Creator Is Talking to Investors About Selling Shares at $29 Billion Valuation

-Microsoft Plans to Build OpenAI, ChatGPT Features Into All Products

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The Company Behind ChatGPT

The Federal Trade Commission wants to ban noncompete clauses in employment contracts. WSJ's Lauren Weber explains what these clauses are, the surprising number of workers they might affect, and how businesses are reacting.



Further Reading:

- Noncompete Clauses: What They Are and What to Know Before Signing Your Contract 

- FTC Proposes Banning Noncompete Clauses for Workers 

- The Noncompete Clause Gets a Closer Look 



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Biden's Flip on Drilling in Alaska

from The Journal.

by The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet

Published: Tue Mar 21 2023

Show Notes