The Journal‪.‬ The Wall Street Journal

For about a decade, Zyn, a brand of nicotine pouch, was a niche product used by former smokers. But now it’s exploded in popularity and is hard to find on store shelves. WSJ’s Jennifer Maloney explains how Zyn achieved social media virality and has found itself in the middle of a culture war.



Further Reading:

- Zyn Nicotine Pouches Take Off—and Land in the Culture Wars 

- Why America Is Running Low on Zyn Nicotine Pouches 



Further Listening:

- The Juul Paradox 

- The ‘Existential Threat’ Facing Big Tobacco 

- How Puff Bar Became the Most Popular Vape for Kids 



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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has a day job and a side gig. Only one of them makes him rich. WSJ's Berber Jin explains how Altman makes most of his wealth through investing in tech startups and how some of those startups' business relationships with OpenAI raise questions about conflicts of interest.



Further Reading:

- The Opaque Investment Empire Making OpenAI’s Sam Altman Rich 



Further Listening: 

- Artificial: The OpenAI Story 

- Tesla's Multibillion-Dollar Pay Package for Elon Musk 



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Gum arabic is a widely used but little-known ingredient found in products like soda, gum, makeup and beer. But as WSJ’s Nicholas Bariyo and Alexandra Wexler report, the product has been used for a darker purpose: helping to fund the civil war in Sudan.Further Reading:

-How Soda, Chocolate and Chewing Gum Are Funding War in Sudan 

-What Is Happening in Sudan? The Fighting Explained 

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Yahya Sinwar is the Hamas leader inside Gaza who allegedly plotted the October 7th attacks. According to private messages reviewed by the WSJ, Sinwar believes that a rising Palestinian death toll—and the international condemnation it brings—is in the best interest of his cause. WSJ’s Rory Jones walks us through Sinwar’s strategy.



Further Reading:

- Gaza Chief’s Brutal Calculation: Civilian Bloodshed Will Help Hamas 

- The Hamas Leader Who Studied Israel’s Psyche—and Is Betting His Life on What He Learned 



Further Listening: 

- Why Israel and Hamas Could Be Headed Into a Forever War 

- Inside the White House's Scramble to Avert a Bigger Middle East War 



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Tesla shareholders voted to reapprove Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package, signaling support for the EV maker’s CEO and giving the board ammunition in its fight to preserve the court-rejected compensation plan. WSJ’s David Benoit explores the fight to get Musk billions and why the Tesla board is so invested in making the huge pay package happen.



Further Listening: 

- Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX 

- Why is Tesla Pulling Back on EV Charging? 

- Money, Drugs, Elon Musk and Tesla’s Board 



Further Reading: 

- Tesla Shareholders Vote to Uphold Elon Musk’s $48 Billion Pay Package 

- Elon Musk’s $55.8 Billion Tesla Pay Package Struck Down by Judge 

- Tesla Hits the Road to Persuade Shareholders to Pay Elon Musk $46 Billion 



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Joshua Wright was a star in the world of antitrust, from his time at the Federal Trade Commission to his work with some of the biggest tech companies. He was well respected and powerful until accusations of sexual misconduct came to light. WSJ’s Brody Mullins talks us through his reporting on Wright’s downfall.



Further Reading:

- The Hidden Life of Google’s Secret Weapon 

- For Years, an Esteemed Law Professor Seduced Students. Was He Too Important to Fire? 

- Hubris, Revenge and a Breakup Brought Down Big Tech’s Proudest Ally 



Further Listening:

- Elon Musk’s Unusual Relationships With Women at SpaceX 

- Lewd Photos, Booze and Bullying: Inside the FDIC’s Toxic Culture 





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