2024-10-28
12 分钟On today’s show: The Wall Street Journal’s Thomas Grove has the exclusive story behind Elon Musk’s secret phones calls with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of Votebeat, explains on Apple News In Conversation how baseless claims of election fraud are having a real impact on parts of the voting process. Three years after the NCAA started allowing college athletes to make money off their personal brands, the Washington Post obtained records from a number of colleges and universities that reveal how unequal and murky this new marketplace is. Sports investigative reporter Albert Samaha has the story. Plus, updates from the campaign trail after a speaker hurled racist comments during Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, and Michelle Obama called on men to do more to protect reproductive rights. And ESPN says Shohei Ohtani is expected to play in Game 3 of the World Series after suffering a shoulder injury. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.
Good morning.
It's Monday, October 28th.
I'm Sumita Basu.
This is Apple News Today.
On today's show, threats to election workers, the inequality in how student athletes are being paid, and Michelle Obama calls on men to step up and protect reproductive rights.
But first, new reporting about private conversations between Elon Musk and Vladimir Putin are raising concerns for NASA, the Defense Department, and American intelligence agencies.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Musk and the Russian leader have been in regular contact since 2022, discussing topics ranging from personal issues to business and geopolitics.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said on Friday that if true, the matter should be investigated.
Well, I mean, I think part of what makes Musk such an important and powerful character is his SpaceX company and Starlink, which is part of it.
That's Thomas Grove, central and Eastern European correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.
He explained how Musk has significant business ties with US military and intelligence agencies.
His company, SpaceX, is the primary rocket launcher for the Pentagon and NASA, sending national security satellites into orbit and and astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Musk himself has access to certain classified information.
Starlink is another one of Elon Musk's businesses.
It's a satellite Internet service that has played a major role in Russia's war in Ukraine.
Early in the conflict, Musk sent Starlink terminals to provide free Internet across the country, allowing it to be used by Ukrainians on the battlefield and giving them a significant advantage.
But Musk's view of the conflict appeared to change later that year when Ukrainians asked him to activate Starlink in Crimea, and he didn't do it.
The Journal reporting says his moves coincided with public and private pressure from the Kremlin.
And it looks like it wasn't the only time that happened.
And we understand that the Russians asked Musk to do a favor for China and not turn on Starlink over Taiwan.