WNU Editor: This is probably the best video that I have seen in years. The entire video with Elon Musk at the New York Times DealBook Summit 2023 is below.
Update: On a side note. Disney's Bob Iger who pulled his company's ads from Twitter was in the audience. Not surprising. He had to respond (video here).
Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023
[ComStar]
The Hill: Musk offers aid organizations in Gaza access to Starlink
Tech billionaire Elon Musk offered the use of his Starlink satellite internet service on Saturday for humanitarian aid organizations in Gaza, as the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues.
The Gaza Strip, which is controlled Hamas, has been without internet and telephone communication amid escalating airstrikes and a ground campaign by the Israeli military. This has left civilians unable to call for help and aid organizations unable to communicate.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This is the right thing to do. But Israel is promising that it will retaliate .... Israel Threatens To ‘Cut Ties’ With Elon Musk’s Starlink Over Provision of Internet In Gaza (Blast).
Elon Musk Says Starlink Will Offer Its Satellite Internet Services To Aid Organizations In Gaza
Musk says Starlink will support connectivity to aid organizations in Gaza -- Politico
Musk offers Starlink internet for ‘recognized’ aid organizations in Gaza -- Times of Israel
Musk says Starlink to provide connectivity in Gaza through aid organizations -- Reuters
Musk Admits Feeling Pressure Over Providing Starlink To Gaza -- Forbes
Musk to provide Starlink access to Gaza -- RT Musk Prepares To Save Gaza's Internet With Starlink Deployment -- Zero Hedge
CNN: Taiwan hits back at Elon Musk’s claim that it is ‘part of China’
Hong Kong CNN — Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has hit back after Elon Musk called the self-ruled island an “integral part of China.”
Speaking remotely at the All-in Summit, which took place in Los Angeles this week, Musk compared Taiwan’s relationship with China to that of Hawaii’s with the United States.
“[Beijing’s] policy has been to sort of reunite Taiwan with China,” said the Tesla (TSLA) CEO, who claimed he understands China “well.”
Read more ....
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu Slams Elon Musk's Claim That His Country Is A Part Of China
Taiwan slams Elon Musk, says it’s ‘not for sale’ nor part of China -- CNBC
Taiwan tells Elon Musk it is ‘not for sale’ after latest China comments -- The Guardian
Taiwan hits Musk for suggesting it was ‘part of China’ during All-in Summit -- The Hill
Taiwan 'not for sale': Minister hits back at Elon Musk over China sovereignty comments -- SKY News
CNBC: Russia’s Putin praises Elon Musk as an ‘outstanding person’ and ‘talented businessman’
* Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised Elon Musk, calling the Tesla and SpaceX founder a “talented businessman.”
* Putin was discussing Russia’s space program after a failed moon landing last month.
* His comments come after Musk said last week that he refused an emergency request by the Ukrainian government to extend coverage of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites to Sevastopol in Crimea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday praised Elon Musk, calling the Tesla and SpaceX founder a “talented businessman.”
Putin made the comments at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, as he spoke about Russia’s space program.
“Elon Musk ... is undoubtedly an outstanding person. It must be admitted. I think the whole world admits it. He is an active, talented businessman,” Putin said, according to a Reuters translation.
Putin said Musk does business with the support of the U.S. state.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: You can take this to the bank. Elon Musk's opponents are going to use this praise from Putin against him.
Putin has also waded into the US Justice Department's prosecutions of former President Trump .... Putin: Trump's legal cases reveal "rottenness" of U.S. politics (Axios).
Russian President Putin Praised Elon Musk After Musk Admitted Denying Ukraine's Starlink Request That Would have Been Used To Launch Attacks Against Crimea
Russian president Vladimir Putin hails Elon Musk as as an 'outstanding person' and businessman -- Reuters
Putin calls Musk an ‘outstanding person’ after Starlink revelations -- The Hill
Bloomberg: Musk's Denial of Ukraine's Starlink Request Prompts Senate Probe
The Senate Armed Services Committee is looking into national security issues raised by ’s decision not to extend the private Starlink satellite network to aid a Ukrainian attack on Russian warships near the Crimean coast.
Chairman Jack Reed said in a statement that the reports on the use of Starlink exposed “serious national-security liability issues and the committee is engaged on this issue.” “The committee is aggressively probing this issue from every angle,” he said Thursday.
Musk’s SpaceX also has become a major US contractor, launching spy satellites for the Defense Department and operating the Starlink network. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: This is the background on why the US Senate wants to probe Elon Musk's decision not to extend the private Starlink satellite network to aid a Ukrainian attack on Russian warships near the Crimean coast .... Elon Musk says he denied Ukraine satellite request to avoid complicity in "major act of war" vs. Russia (AFP).
Elon Musk responds (see tweet below).
Much appreciated, Walter.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 9, 2023
The onus is meaningfully different if I refused to act upon a request from Ukraine vs. made a deliberate change to Starlink to thwart Ukraine.
At no point did I or anyone at SpaceX promise coverage over Crimea.
Moreover, our terms of service clearly… https://t.co/jmNtScM5LY
U.S. Senate To Probe Elon Musk's Decision to Deny Ukraine Starlink Services To Launch An Attack On Russia
The US Senate wants answers over Starlink's Ukrainian satellite internet denial (Endgadget)
Senate Armed Services Committee to probe Starlink operations in Ukraine -- Space News
Three senators ask DOD if Musk undermined Ukraine by limiting Starlink access -- NBC News
* ElonMusk's Starship – built to go to Mars – blew up during its first orbital launch
* The two stages failed to separate after taking off - no details have been shared
Elon Musk’s SpaceX's Starship exploded into a ball of fire on 4/20 during its second failed orbital launch in a week.
The world’s most powerful rocket – which was not manned - lifted off the pad in Southern Texas and cleared the launchpad, which was its first milestone.
But it began tumbling four minutes into the flight as it prepared to separate the Super Heavy booster from Starship.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Back to the drawing board.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX's Starship Explodes Minutes After Launch
SpaceX launches towering Starship rocket but suffers mid-flight failure -- CNBC
SpaceX's uncrewed Starship explodes on launch attempt: Live Updates -- CNN
SpaceX's Starship Rocket Launch Attempt Ends With an Explosion: Live Updates -- New York Times
SpaceX giant rocket explodes minutes after launch from Texas -- AP
SpaceX's Starship rocket successfully launched on first test flight, then explodes -- Reuters
SpaceX launches Starship, biggest rocket ever built -- FOX News
SpaceX's Starship mega-rocket explodes on first orbital launch attempt -- Business Insider
I will resign as CEO as soon as I find someone foolish enough to take the job! After that, I will just run the software & servers teams.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 21, 2022
* Musk confirmed that he'd be stepping down from the role as CEO of Twitter
* But he said he first needs to find a replacement 'foolish enough' to take over
* The tech billionaire put out a poll over the weekend asking users to vote on whether he should resign as head of the social media site
* Perhaps to his surprise, the majority of people voted for him to leave the role
Elon Musk will resign as Twitter CEO after being defeated in his own disastrous poll.
The Tesla boss, 51, said when he uploaded the poll that he would 'abide by' the result - even if users said he should step down.
The result was confirmed Monday morning, with a total of 57.5 per cent of more than 17million accounts voting for him to step down from his position.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: I am glad that he is not leaving the company. Not surprised that he does not want the CEO job. He sees himself as a visionary, not a company manager.
Elon Musk Announces He Will Resign As Twitter CEO Once He Finds 'Someone Foolish' Enough As Successor
Musk to step down as Twitter CEO once he finds 'someone foolish' enough as successor -- Reuters
Elon Musk says he’ll step down as Twitter CEO when he finds someone ‘foolish enough to take the job’ -- FOX News
Elon Musk says he will step down as Twitter CEO — once he finds a replacement -- CNN
Elon Musk will step down as Twitter CEO once he finds ‘someone foolish enough to take the job’ -- NYPost
Elon Musk says he'll step down as Twitter CEO, but won't sell the company -- Endgadget
Conformément à notre ambition de décarboner et réindustrialiser la France et l'Europe, j’ai échangé aujourd’hui avec @elonmusk sur les futurs projets industriels verts, notamment sur la fabrication de véhicules électriques et de batteries. pic.twitter.com/oMwcejKGx6
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 3, 2022
France 24: Wrapping up US trip, Macron meets Musk for ‘honest’ talk
President Emmanuel Macron on Friday visited New Orleans, a city emblematic of historic Franco-American ties, to promote the French language and conclude his state visit to the United States.
The French president, on the third day of a US trip that included a lavish reception at the White House a night earlier, strolled New Orleans's historic French Quarter -- and held an unannounced face-to-face meeting with Twitter owner Elon Musk.
Macron said the two had a "clear and honest" discussion during an hour-long meeting, and that he conveyed to Musk his -- and Europe's -- concerns about content moderation on the influential platform.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: French President Macron knows that a revamped Twitter will have a major influence on news and social media, hence the warning to Elon Musk that it must comply with EU rules.
As for some other Twitter news.
The second batch of Twitter files are to be released today:
Tune in for Episode 2 of The Twitter Files tomorrow!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 3, 2022
Also,
Elon Musk believes that Twitter will soon be reaching one billion monthly users with 18 months (see tweet below). I think he is right, especially if he is going to implement the measures that he has promised (i.e. ad revenue sharing with publishers, search engine upgrade, etc.).
ICYMI: Twitter CEO Elon Musk said the social media platform saw 'all-time high' new user signups in the seven days to November 16. Musk also tweeted the site could have over a billion monthly users in 12 to 18 months https://t.co/hDUuE7nQMB pic.twitter.com/fob6oApkiu
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 3, 2022
French President Macron Ends US Visit With A Surprise Meeting With Elon Musk
Macron says he had ‘clear and honest’ discussion with Musk on Twitter policy -- The Guardian
French President Macron meets with Elon Musk to address social media regulations -- FOX News
French President Macron has surprise meet with Elon Musk in New Orleans -- NYPost
Twitter must comply with EU rules, Macron tells Musk -- Politico
Reuters: White House keeping a 'close eye' on misinformation on Twitter
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday it was monitoring social media platform Twitter, now under the stewardship of new Chief Executive Elon Musk, for misinformation.
"This is something that we're certainly keeping an eye on," said White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, when asked about Twitter becoming a vector for misinformation.
Jean-Pierre said it was the responsibility of social media platforms to "make sure that when it comes to misinformation, when it comes to the hate that we're seeing, that... they take action, that they continue to take action."
Read more ....
Update: White House slammed for pledging to keep a 'close eye' on 'misinformation' on Twitter: 'Absolutely insane' (FOX News).
WNU Editor: What a laugh on the White House keeping a 'close eye' on Twitter. In my experience this White House is one of the worse purveyors of misinformation that I have ever seen from a US administration.
Update: Elon Musk has responded.
This is a battle for the future of civilization. If free speech is lost even in America, tyranny is all that lies ahead.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2022
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola
Politico: European Parliament to summon Elon Musk
EP President Roberta Metsola briefed top EU lawmakers Thursday that she will invite Musk soon.
Twitter boss Elon Musk should check his DMs.
The world’s richest man who recently bought the social media company is set to receive an invitation to come to the European Parliament in Brussels and explain himself, two Parliament officials told POLITICO.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola briefed top EU lawmakers in a closed-door meeting Thursday that she will invite Musk soon. The move comes at the request of lawmakers from the Liberal group Renew, a spokesperson for the group said.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. It is going to be difficult for EU regulators to hold Musk to account.
CNBC: President Biden says Elon Musk’s relationships with other countries are worth looking into
* When asked if Elon Musk was a potential threat to national security, Biden said the centi-billionaire’s “cooperation and/or technical relationships with other countries is worthy of being looked at.”
* Musk has important international business ties through Twitter, SpaceX, and Tesla.
Asked on Wednesday whether Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter CEO Elon Musk posed a threat to national security, President Joe Biden said that the centi-billionaire’s “relationships with other countries is worthy of being looked at.”
At a White House press conference on Wednesday, the President was specifically asked: “Do you think Elon Musk is a threat to U.S. national security and should the U.S., with the tools you have, investigate his joint acquisition of twitter with foreign governments, which include the Saudis?”
Read more ....
WNU Editor: US National Security Adviser has confirmed reports that the administration is considering investigating Elon Musk ....‘You Heard the President’: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Confirms Administration Considering Musk Investigation (National Review).
Wow!!!!!
The US administration may investigate Elon Musk and Twitter, but nothing on Tic Tok that is owned by the Chinese government.
When Asked If Elon Musk Is A Threat to National Security, President Biden Says It Is Worthy To Be Looked At
Biden asked whether Elon Musk is 'threat' to national security, says relationships 'worth being looked at' -- FOX News
Biden says Musk’s Twitter deal ‘worth being looked at’ -- The Hill
Biden calls for federal investigation of Elon Musk over ‘relationships with other countries’ -- NYPost
Musk's foreign investors in Twitter are 'worthy' of review, Biden says -- Politico
To independent-minded voters:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 7, 2022
Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic.
FOX News: Elon Musk: 'I recommend voting for a Republican Congress'
Elon Musk first announced he was voting Republican earlier this year Billionaire Twitter CEO Elon Musk endorsed Republicans for the midterm election cycle on Monday, telling voters to cast ballots for a Republican Congress.
Musk's announcement comes months after he first announced plans to vote Republican earlier this year.
He argued Monday that having a government split between two parties is ideal, and noted President Biden's possession of the White House for Democrats before saying Congress should go to Republicans.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: People are not going to vote because Elon Musk told them to nor vote Republican. But Elon Musk now owns the "town square" and his voice will be heard and not suppressed among his 114.8 million followers .... followers that are not bots.
Elon Musk Recommends Independent Voters Vote Republican For Divided Government
Elon Musk encourages independents to vote for a Republican Congress ahead of midterms -- CNBC
Elon Musk recommends voting for Republicans in U.S. midterm elections -- Daily Mail
Elon Musk recommends votes for ‘Republican Congress’ in midterms -- NYPost
Elon Musk, now perched atop Twitter, urges his followers to vote for Republicans -- CBS
Elon Musk tells followers to vote for Republican congressional candidates -- The Hill
Musk on midterms: "I recommend voting for a Republican Congress" -- Axios
* Musk says firm SpaceX cannot continue funding Starlink terminals in Ukraine
* World's richest man said bearing the $20million monthly cost is 'unreasonable'
* Comes after he tweeted out 'peace plan' that prompted furious reaction from Kyiv, including ambassador who told him to 'f*** off'
* Musk joked he is 'just following [the ambassador's] recommendation' when challenged over his Starlink claims on Twitter
Elon Musk says he cannot afford to keep funding Starlink satellites that have proved vital for Ukraine in defending itself against Russia, raising fears he may cut support.
The world's richest man, with a personal fortune north of $200billion, said it is costing firm SpaceX $20million per month to maintain the network that keeps roughly 20,000 Starlink terminals in Ukraine running and it is not sustainable.
He spoke out just days after tweeting a 'peace plan' that proposed handing chunks of Ukrainian territory to Russia that prompted a clash with President Zelensky and saw ambassador Andreij Melnyk tell him to 'f**k off'.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: For a country that is broke and dependent on foreign aid, Ukraine says it will find the money to keep the Starlink systen working. Translation. Ukraine's backers (i.e. the U.S.) are going to foot the bill.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Says It Cannot Fund Starlink Internet In Ukraine Indefinitely
Official: Musk seeks US funding of Ukraine satellite network -- AP
Musk says SpaceX cannot fund Ukraine's vital Starlink internet indefinitely -- Reuters
Musk says cannot fund Starlink in Ukraine indefinitely -- AFP
Elon Musk’s SpaceX says it can no longer fund Starlink internet in Ukraine -- The Guardian
Elon Musk asks Defense Department to fund Starlink satellite system in Ukraine -- AP
Elon Musk: SpaceX can't fund internet in Ukraine "indefinitely" -- Axios
* A Twitter spokesman confirmed to DailyMail.com: 'We received the letter from the Musk parties which they have filed with the SEC. The intention of the Company is to close the transaction at $54.20 per share'
* Musk wrote to Twitter on Tuesday proposing to buy the company again at his original suggested price of $44billion - $54.20 per share
* He had been trying to back out of the takeover, claiming Twitter was dishonest about how many spam accounts used the site
* Twitter fought his attempt to back out and accused him of reckless mischief
* Both sides were due in court in Delaware on October 17 to hash it out
* His sudden U-turn on Tuesday means he could own the company within days
Twitter has accepted Elon Musk's proposal to buy the company for $44billion, with a deal expected to close within weeks.
A spokesman for the company told DailyMail.com on Tuesday afternoon: 'We received the letter from the Musk parties which they have filed with the SEC.
'The intention of the Company is to close the transaction at $54.20 per share.'
Read more ....
Update #1: Musk offers to proceed with Twitter deal (Axios)
Update #2: Twitter confirms it intends to close deal with Elon Musk (Edgadget)
WNU Editor: Why the sudden change of heart?
This is all happening after Elon Musk posted a Twitter poll on a Russia - Ukraine peace plan that in his opinion was quickly flooded with bots (see poll below). This was then quickly followed with criticism from Ukrainian leaders, even though Elon Musk was very clear that his priority is to prevent nuclear war. 24 hours later Elon Musk announces his acceptance on purchasing Twitter.
Is there a connection? I do not know, but the timing tells me there is.
Ukraine-Russia Peace:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022
- Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.
- Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).
- Water supply to Crimea assured.
- Ukraine remains neutral.
Ukraine-Russia Peace:
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 3, 2022
- Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.
- Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev’s mistake).
- Water supply to Crimea assured.
- Ukraine remains neutral.
CNBC: Elon Musk infuriates Ukraine with a Twitter poll on how the Russia war should end
* American tech billionaire Elon Musk drew the public ire of Ukraine’s top officials after he claimed to know the most likely outcome of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
* “Fuck off is my very diplomatic reply to you,” Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Andrij Melnyk, wrote in response to Musk’s tweet.
* The sharp rebukes were also notable because Musk has earned quasi folk-hero status in Ukraine since the start of the conflict.
Blue-check mark gatekeepers, journalists, bots, pundits and even government officials are out in force, angrily reacting to Elon Musk's Monday tweet which merely explored the possibilities for peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
Musk offered a Ukraine-Russia peace proposal, and encouraged his followers to vote on whether they think it's a good idea or not, proposing a "redo" of referendums for the four annexed regions of eastern Ukraine which Vladimir Putin declared part of the Russian Federation last week. It would also be conditioned on Ukraine remaining neutral vis-a-vis future NATO membership.
Read more ....
Update #1: Musk Sets Off Uproar in Ukraine by Tweeting His 'Peace' Plan (Bloomberg)
Update $2: All Hell Breaks Loose After Musk Posts "Russia-Ukraine Peace" Twitter Poll (Zero Hedge)
WNU Editor: Elon Musk wants to find a way to end the war. But Ukraine is making it very clear that they have no interest to explore his ceasefire/peace proposal .... Ukrainian diplomat responds to Musk’s peace proposal: ‘f— off’ (The Hill).
A recent Starlink satellite launch by SpaceX. China needs a surveillance system to monitor every satellite belonging to Elon Musk's space company, a researcher urged. Photo: SpaceX.
* Chinese military planners already theorising how to destroy SpaceX's Starlink
* A research paper called for new satellite surveillance and killing capabilities
* Starlink is a network of thousands of low-earth orbit satellites beaming data
* SpaceX signed contract with US Dept of Defense to develop military uses
* Beijing is looking for cost-effective ways to destroy the thousands of satellites
Chinese military researchers have been drawing up plans to destroy Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system should Beijing deem it a threat to Chinese national security.
A paper published last month stated that China needs to develop capabilities to track and monitor and if necessary destroy each and every Starlink satellite in orbit around the Earth.
Read more ....
Update #1: China military must be able to destroy Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites if they threaten national security: scientists -- SCMP
Update #2: Chinese scientists plan to blow up Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites after labeling SpaceX a threat, report claims (The SUN)
WNU Editor: Starlink has thousands of satellites in orbit right now. Short of detonating an emp weapon in space that will fry everything, good luck in trying to disable this network.
Axios: Elon Musk says SpaceX’s Starlink satellites now active over Ukraine
Elon Musk said Saturday SpaceX's Starlink satellites had been activated in Ukraine, with more terminals en route.
Driving the news: Ukrainian officials requested Musk's help with his company's commercial internet network after Russia's unprovoked military invasion left parts of the country offline.
* Ukrainian First Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov tweeted to Musk Saturday, " while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand."
* Musk responded to Federov, who's also digital transformation minister, "Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route."
Read more ....
WNU Editor: You still need a terminal to communicate with Starlink satellites if you are in Ukraine. But this is a big start.
It would appear that the so-called “fringe minority” is actually the government
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 30, 2022
WNU Editor: Yup!Protesting in a Canadian winter shows real commitment!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 30, 2022
CBS/AFP: China slams U.S. after space station "close encounters" with Elon Musk satellites
Beijing on Tuesday accused the United States of irresponsible and unsafe conduct in space over two "close encounters" between the Chinese space station and satellites operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Tiangong, China's new space station, had to maneuver to avoid colliding with one Starlink satellite in July and with another in October, according to a note submitted by Beijing to the United Nations space agency this month.
The note said the incidents "constituted dangers to the life or health of astronauts aboard the China Space Station".
Read more ....
WNU editor: Some in China believe this is deliberate .... Expert: SpaceX satellites' near collision with Chinese space station could be deliberate tests (CGTN).
I have a different take.
Who was the idiot(s) in China who made the decision to launch their space station into an orbit that conflicts with Elon Musk's SpaceX/Starlink satellites. Satellites that have been operating in this orbit for years.
China Slams US Over Space Station Near Misses With Elon Musk's Starlink Satellites
Elon Musk criticised after China space complaint to UN -- BBC
Chinese citizens slam Musk online after space station near-misses -- Reuters
Elon Musk's SpaceX satellites catch heat in China over close calls with space station -- CNN
China slams US over space station near misses with Musk satellites -- DW
China berates US after ‘close encounters’ with Elon Musk satellites -- The Guardian
Elon Musk sparks China fury as space station takes emergency measures to avoid collision -- Express
