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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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