Hegseth puts the future of warfare in the hands of major Maga donors 01. October 2026 (19:27) Installing tech billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to Pentagon defense board raises conflict of interest concernsBy installing the tech billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to advisory roles in a Pentagon project about the future of warfare, the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, bestowed extraordinary influence on two of Maga’s most significant campaign donors – and both men own companies that benefit from federal defense contracting.The new project, which Hegseth dubbed “Project Meridian” in an event in Quantico, Virginia, on Wednesday, will be led by Pentagon official Emil Michael, a former Uber executive. As the Guardian has reported, Michael made millions in profits off non-public Musk company AI stock while in federal office – and while guiding the Department of Defense’s artificial intelligence efforts. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britain in talks with European allies over release of emergency diesel stockpiles 01. October 2026 (18:49) Ministers discuss drawing down EU countries’ reserves after Donald Trump threatens to cut off US suppliesBritain is in talks with European allies over releasing emergency diesel stockpiles after Donald Trump threatened to cut off US supplies of the fuel.Ministers held calls with counterparts from the European Commission, Germany, France, Italy and Ireland on Thursday to discuss whether to draw down reserves after the Trump administration told Germany and France to release their stockpiles to help ease soaring global energy prices or face a US export ban. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
