The Journal.

The Zizians, a cult-like group of militant vegans, has been connected to six killings across the country. The violence has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Zusha Elinson explains how the Zizians splintered from a Bay Area intellectual movement concerned with AI safety. Further Reading: -A Silicon Valley Intellectual Society Kicked Them Out. Now They’re Tied to a Killing Spree. -How a Fervent Belief Split Silicon Valley—and Fueled the Blowup at OpenAI Further Listening: -The Fall of Crypto’s Golden Boy -The Story Behind the Stabbing of a San Francisco Tech Exec -The Biotech Founder Facing Murder Charges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first few minutes of the Trump presidency, Elon Musk’s programmers made a surprise incursion into a key personnel agency. Since then, DOGE programmers operating in the shadows have burrowed into systems across the government, resulting in thousands of layoffs. WSJ’s Scott Patterson explains how DOGE has entered vast parts of the federal bureaucracy. Further Reading: -Inside DOGE’s Clash With the Federal Workforce -DOGE Claims It Has Saved Billions. See Where. Further Listening: -Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance -Inside USAID as Elon Musk and DOGE Ripped It Apart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives narrowly passed a budget resolution this week that serves as a first draft of the “big, beautiful bill” President Trump has been seeking. WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss how Congress is working with Trump. Plus, we take a look at what impact recent rulings from the judicial branch might mean for Trump's agenda. Further Reading: - The Weight of Trump’s Agenda Sits on Mike Johnson’s Shoulders Further Listening: - Why Trump Wants Ukrainian Minerals - Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paramount Global is wrestling with whether to settle President Trump’s lawsuit against its CBS unit. At the same time, the company is waiting for regulatory approval from the Trump administration for its merger with Skydance Media. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel explains. Further Reading: -CBS Owner Discusses Settling Trump Suit, With Merger Review on Tap -FCC Requests ‘60 Minutes’ Harris Interview Material as It Reviews Paramount-Skydance Merger -Paramount Executives Ask: Could They Be Sued for Settling Trump’s $20 Billion CBS Lawsuit? Further Listening: -Mayhem at Paramount as Merger Looms -Why Buying Paramount Global Won’t Be Easy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you landed on a flight from Europe to New York recently, you might have been an unwitting participant in a high-stakes, high-altitude gold trade. WSJ’s Joe Wallace explains what's going on with the gold market, and why gold bars have been flying commercial. Further Reading: -Why Dealers Are Flying Gold Bars by Plane From London to New York Further Listening: -Trump's Tariff Whiplash -The Underground Battle for Colombia's Richest Gold Mine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the U.S. fights a persistent bird flu outbreak, the cost of eggs has skyrocketed. The owner of a brunch cafe tells us about the impact of high-priced eggs on his business and WSJ’s Patrick Thomas unpacks one possible fix that the egg industry wouldn't consider – until now. Further Reading: - Soaring Egg Prices Reignite Debate Over Bird Flu Vaccinations - At the ‘Wall Street of Eggs,’ Demand Is Surging - First Cows, Now Cats. Is Bird Flu Coming for Humans Next? Further Listening: - Bird Flu and the High Price of Eggs - Farm-to-Table Pioneer on Why We Still Need Better Food Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration is pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hand over mineral rights worth hundreds of billions of dollars to the U.S. Zelensky said a deal is possible but he wants better terms. WSJ's James Marson explains why these minerals are so valuable and what this potential deal could mean for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. Further Listening: - Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe - Ukraine's $30 Billion Problem Further Reading: - A Guide to U.S.-Russia Talks on Ending the War in Ukraine - Ukraine’s Zelensky Wants Better Terms on Minerals Deal Demanded by Trump Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, Germany has relied on manufacturing and exports – a model that made it the world’s third largest economy. But that model is breaking down, and the country’s leaders are offering few alternatives in the upcoming election. WSJ’s Tom Fairless and Bertrand Benoit discuss Germany’s downturn and what can be done about it. Further Reading: - Germany’s Economic Model Is Broken, and No One Has a Plan B - Why Germany’s Confidence Is Shattered and Its Economy Is Kaput Further Listening: - Trump 2.0: Shaking Up Europe - Germany’s Difficult Breakup with Russian Energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump Administration turns its focus to Europe as President Trump signals a willingness to cooperate with Russia. WSJ’s Alex Ward joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to discuss what that means for an end to the war in Ukraine. Further Reading: -Trump’s Turn to Russia Spooks U.S. Allies Who Fear a Weakened NATO -Trump’s Attack on Zelensky Signals New World Order Taking Shape Further Listening: -Trump 2.0: The Musk-Trump Bromance -R.I.P. CFPB? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A controversy among YouTube influencers has led to a series of lawsuits accusing browser extensions like PayPal Honey of swiping their commissions. PayPal said it disagrees with the claims in these lawsuits and look forward to defending itself. The litigation shines a light on the sometimes murky world of affiliate marketing, a $12 billion business. Further Reading: -Creators Insist Coupon Browser Extensions Are Stealing Their Money. Will the Courts Agree? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, most home insurers were fleeing areas of California with high risk for wildfires. But State Farm was there, dominating the market. Then, just months before the devastating L.A. fires, the company dropped 30,000 homeowners from their books. WSJ’s Jean Eaglesham explains how the risk that State Farm unloaded is now a problem for the rest of California. Further Reading: -State Farm Was All In on California – Until it Pulled the Plug Before the Fires -Insurers’ Rule Change Puts California Homeowners on the Hook for L.A. Fire Further Listening: -Their L.A. Neighborhood Burned. Two Residents Find What’s Left. -Insuring a Home in California Is Getting Harder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices