When Russian troops invaded his hometown in 2022, Ukrainian teenager Denys Kostev filmed TikTok videos cursing Vladimir Putin and praising Ukrainian courage. But a few months later, Kostev suddenly began appearing in Russian propaganda videos. WSJ’s Matthew Luxmoore spoke to the Ukrainian teenager about how he became part of the Kremlin's propaganda machine. 



Further Reading: 

-A Ukrainian Teen’s Dark Transformation Into Russian Propaganda Star 



Further Listening:

-The Grim Story of a Russian Prisoner Turned Recruit 

-Actors Recorded Videos for ‘Vladimir.’ It Turned Into Russian Propaganda. 

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From Ukrainian Teen to Russian Propaganda Star

The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.

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The high price of baby eels has triggered an upsurge in illegal fishing and criminal activity in Canada. Earlier this year, the country announced a ban on baby-eel fishing in an attempt to contain the violence and to protect dwindling fish stocks. We speak to WSJ’s Paul Vieira and to a baby-eel fisherman about how a tiny fish has created a turf war in a remote Canadian community.



Further Reading: 

Guns and Death Threats Spur Canada to Reel in Baby-Eel Fishing 



Further Listening: 

Will Florida’s Plan to Get Cheap Drugs From Canada Work? 

Canada’s Historic Settlement with Indigenous People 



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Guns and Death Threats in Canada’s Baby-Eel Fisheries

The National Basketball Association is in advanced stages of a new round of media-rights deals. WSJ’s Amol Sharma unpacks why several major media players are jostling for the lucrative rights.



Further Reading:

-NBC Prepares $2.5-Billion-a-Year Bid to Pluck NBA Rights From TNT 

-Amazon, YouTube Vie for NBA Streaming Rights as League’s Media Talks Heat Up 



Further Listening:

-Why Three Media Giants Are Betting on Sports Streaming 

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The NBA's Media Rights Are Up for Grabs. Billions Are at Stake.

On Monday, Bob Bakish stepped down as CEO of Paramount, one of America’s most iconic media companies. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel reports on how Bakish’s relationship with Shari Redstone, chair of Paramount, has deteriorated amidst one of the messiest merger dramas in recent history. 



Further Reading: 

- A Media Heiress’s Bid to Sell Sets Off Mayhem Inside Paramount 

- How Bob Bakish, the Anti-Mogul CEO, Struggled to Rescue Paramount 

- Shari Redstone’s Path to Power 



Further Listening: 

- Why Buying Paramount Global Won’t Be Easy 



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Mayhem at Paramount as Merger Looms

Donald Trump's allies have drafted plans to curb the Federal Reserve’s independence, should Trump win a second term. WSJ’s Andrew Restuccia unpacks the proposals, which include giving the president a say in interest-rate decisions.



Further Reading:

-Trump Allies Draw Up Plans to Blunt Fed’s Independence 

-Why Inflation Is Biden’s Most Stubborn Political Problem 

-Even If the Fed Cuts, the Days of Ultralow Rates Are Over 



Further Listening:

-Why the Fed Is Steering Away From Rate Cuts 

-The Man Who Waged War on Inflation 

-The President, the Fed, and the Cut 

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Trump Allies Draft Plans to Rein in the Fed

For almost a decade, Amazon staff went undercover on Walmart, eBay and other marketplaces selling products under the guise of a company called ‘Big River.’ WSJ’s Dana Mattioli reports on the secret arm of Amazon that surreptitiously gathers intelligence on its competitors.



Further Reading: 

-Inside Amazon’s Secret Operation to Gather Intel on Rivals 

-Inside Amazon’s Push to Crack Trader Joe’s—and Dominate Everything 



Further Listening: 

-TikTok Wants to Be More Like Amazon. Amazon Wants to Be More Like TikTok. 

-What Is Amazon’s Secret ‘Project Nessie’? 

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From Ukrainian Teen to Russian Propaganda Star

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