Russia

A Russian envoy proposed a Russia-U.S. undersea rail tunnel, dubbed the ‘Putin-Trump tunnel,’ potentially involving Elon Musk’s Boring Company. Trump expressed interest, while Zelenskyy was reportedly displeased. The project faces skepticism due to enormous engineering challenges in the Bering Strait’s harsh conditions and The Boring Company’s limited experience in such environments. Geopolitical concerns arise from Musk’s existing ties with Russia, including Tesla’s aluminum supply and reported discussions with Putin.

Sony officially exited the Russian market on August 11th, ceasing all business operations and closing its local office after 18 years. Documents for the closure were submitted in October 2024. This follows Sony’s suspension of operations in 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which included halting PlayStation shipments, closing the PlayStation Store, suspending film distribution, and shutting down Sony Music. Sony had provided free PlayStation Plus subscriptions to Ukrainians until the end of last year.

Errol Musk, Elon Musk’s father, attended a Moscow forum organized by Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin, sparking international interest. He discussed Elon’s relationship with Donald Trump, attributing the situation to a “mistake” and expecting a swift resolution. Errol believes his son opposes Democrats to counter their “stupid ideas.” The visit’s timing, coinciding with a Russian lawmaker’s asylum suggestion, highlights complex geopolitical dynamics.