The Influencer Project

Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, has brought Elon Musk in on a project to develop military weapons, according to Forbes. The pairing of the Pentagon chief with the tech billionaire is drawing attention given Musk's role in defense-adjacent industries such as SpaceX and his influence in the Trump administration.

China has reportedly established a new military support base in Laos, extending its defense presence in Southeast Asia. Bloomberg carried the news, which analysts are likely to read as another step in Beijing's efforts to project power beyond its borders, closer to Vietnam, Thailand and key regional supply routes.

A new 'Oligarch Index' has been launched to track the biggest political spenders in California. The project, reported by Capital & Main, aims to monitor how much wealthy individuals and groups are spending to influence state politics. The framing of major donors as 'oligarchs' is drawing attention, reflecting broader concerns about money in politics.

New research finds global warming could cause 'east-dominated' Indian Ocean Dipole events to become 80% more frequent. These climate patterns, which shift sea surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean, strongly influence rainfall, droughts and flooding across East Africa, India and Australia. Scientists say the projected increase would raise the risk of extreme weather in vulnerable regions.

Ethiopian state media insist that diplomacy does not require Addis Ababa to seek Cairo's permission, a pointed statement in the ongoing dispute over Nile waters and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The message frames Ethiopia's regional dealings as sovereign and independent, rejecting any Egyptian claim to veto Ethiopian projects or agreements with other Nile basin countries.

The New York Times has published a review of 'The Influencer Project', a new film, under the headline 'Terminally Online'. The review appears in the paper's Movies and Culture sections and assesses the film's take on internet and influencer culture. Discussion of the review is circulating among film and media watchers, with the critical framing drawing attention to how the movie portrays life lived online.

The New York Times has published a review of 'The Influencer Project', describing the work as 'terminally online'. The film, which appears to examine influencer culture, is the latest title to tackle life lived through social media. No further details about its cast, director or reception are given beyond the verdict in the headline.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Elon Musk will co-lead Project Meridian, a 120-day Department of Defense taskforce studying the future of warfare. Musk is joined by Anduril founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The group is tasked with identifying capabilities the US military will need in future conflicts.

Actor Nathan Fillion is quoted saying: 'Everything that's in my control, those are the things that I worry about.' The remark, highlighted as a quote of the day by entertainment press, offers a glimpse into how the television star approaches stress and focus, concentrating his concern only on matters he can actually influence. It is being shared as a light, relatable reflection rather than news of any specific project or event.

New reporting highlights that Earth's ocean floor plays a far larger role in regulating the climate than previously understood. The seafloor influences how heat and carbon are stored and exchanged between the ocean and the atmosphere, processes that are central to climate models and projections. Coverage on multiple outlets is drawing attention to how much of the planet's climate machinery sits beneath the waves, largely out of sight.

New research published in Science shows that random, short-term fluctuations in Arctic winter clouds can push the region between two distinct radiative states, affecting how much heat escapes to space. The findings suggest cloud variability plays a larger role in Arctic climate sensitivity than previously assumed, with potential implications for modeling winter warming in the polar north.

A Climate Week panel in New York examined China's role in global development and its climate implications. Inside Climate News is streaming the discussion, which looks at how Beijing's overseas investments and infrastructure projects shape emissions and energy transitions in developing countries.

A solo developer is working on a horror roguelike that takes inspiration from the game No, I'm Not a Human, and has shared details about the project. The indie title blends roguelike mechanics with horror elements, drawing on the creeping, paranoid atmosphere that made No, I'm Not a Human stand out. The reveal is attracting attention from players interested in small-team horror projects.

Essar, the Indian conglomerate building a $15 billion steel mill announced by Donald Trump, has deep financial ties to Russia, according to an Al Jazeera investigation. The reporting indicates Russian cash helped the firm behind the project, raising questions about the factory's funding and the scrutiny surrounding the high-profile US-backed announcement.

Congress is turning its attention to the rapid growth of data centers across the United States, with lawmakers weighing measures that could affect where facilities are built and how they are regulated. The discussion matters for households because large data center projects can drive up local electricity bills and influence nearby home prices, making the issue a emerging concern for voters and communities.