eznews.in
The Trump administration appears to be retreating from Elon Musk's controversial directive requiring federal employees to submit a weekly report of their accomplishments or risk dismissal. Musk, a close ally of President Trump, announced the mandate on his platform X, prompting confusion among millions of government workers, including federal judges. However, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) quickly clarified that employees would not face consequences for failing to respond. While OPM supports weekly reporting, it is uncertain how to handle the responses received so far. Concerns over national security and agency autonomy have led some departments, like the FBI, to discourage compliance with Musk's demand. Amidst rising tensions within the administration regarding Musk's influence over the federal workforce, President Trump defended the initiative, suggesting that exceptions were made only to protect sensitive information, while downplaying any discord between his administration and Musk's objectives. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a bold initiative, US President Donald Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk have launched the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claiming to have saved $55 billion in taxpayer money. At an investment conference in Miami, Trump revealed plans to distribute 20% of these savings, potentially amounting to $400 billion, to American citizens while using an equal share to reduce federal debt. This proposal, dubbed the 'DOGE Dividend,' could see eligible tax-paying households receive checks of up to $5,000 once DOGE completes its work in July 2026. The plan, developed by DOGE supporter James Fishback, aims to incentivize citizens to report waste and fraud, with eligibility limited to those paying more in federal income taxes than they receive in government benefits, thereby avoiding inflationary impacts. Trump expressed enthusiasm for the concept, emphasizing its potential to engage Americans in the process of financial accountability. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 11 ameznews.inSouth Korea's impeachment trial of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol concluded on Tuesday, following his controversial declaration of martial law. The Constitutional Court will now deliberate behind closed doors on whether to uphold the parliamentary vote that removed him, with a verdict expected by mid-March. Experts suggest a unanimous ruling in favor of impeachment is likely due to Yoon's failure to cooperate with investigations and concerns about his commitment to constitutional duties. If the court affirms his removal, Yoon will be the second South Korean president to be impeached. Additionally, he faces serious criminal charges for insurrection, which could lead to severe penalties, potentially extending his legal troubles for years. Should he be removed, fresh elections would need to be held within 60 days, with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung currently leading in polls, though he too faces legal challenges that could impact his candidacy. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 8 ameznews.inFrench President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a candid exchange with US President Donald Trump during a press conference at the White House, marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Macron fact-checked Trump’s assertion that Europe was merely loaning money to Ukraine, clarifying that Europe has contributed 60% of the total aid, comprising loans, guarantees, and grants. He emphasized that any peace agreement must not equate to Ukraine's surrender. Despite concerns over a potential transatlantic rift, Macron expressed optimism after their discussions, indicating a possible path forward. Trump, who refrained from labeling Russian President Vladimir Putin a dictator, expressed confidence in resolving the conflict swiftly, suggesting a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in the coming weeks. The meeting followed Trump's recent declaration of a willingness to resume diplomacy with Russia, raising questions about US support for Ukraine. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inSridhar Ramaswamy, CEO of Snowflake, emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges for career growth in a recent interview with LinkedIn's "This Is Working" series. He encourages young professionals to volunteer for tasks and seize opportunities, even when they feel underqualified, as a pathway to success. Ramaswamy, an alumnus of IIT Madras and Brown University, has a notable career, having developed Google Search and co-founding the AI-driven search engine Neeva, which was acquired by Snowflake in May 2023. He became CEO in February 2024 and attributes his achievements to accepting unfamiliar roles. He advocates for ambitious thinking, stating that while not every bold move leads to success, trying various initiatives increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. Under his leadership, Snowflake is focusing on integrating AI technologies to enhance its cloud-based data solutions, positioning the company as a leader in data and AI innovation. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inElon Musk has announced that federal employees will have a second chance to respond to a controversial email requesting details of their work from the previous week, threatening termination for those who fail to comply. However, the federal agency responsible for the email clarified that it is ultimately up to agency leadership to determine consequences for non-response. Musk's directive, part of his role in President Trump's cost-cutting initiative, has sparked confusion and backlash, as many employees, including those on leave or exempted by agency heads, are not required to respond. Notably, Musk himself is exempt from this requirement under the Presidential Records Act. The situation underscores the ongoing power struggle between Musk's Department of Government Efficiency and established federal agencies, amidst growing opposition from unions and lawmakers. Trump defended Musk's approach, framing it as a necessary measure to eliminate inefficiency within the federal workforce. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inA New Zealand government minister, Andrew Bayly, has resigned from his position as Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs after admitting to inappropriate behaviour during a discussion with a staff member. Bayly acknowledged that he placed his hand on the staff member's upper arm, describing his actions as "overbearing" and expressing deep regret. This incident, which occurred on February 18, followed a previous controversy in October 2022, where Bayly faced complaints regarding his conduct during a business visit, including allegations of intoxication and offensive language. Despite stepping down from his ministerial role, Bayly will remain a Member of Parliament, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledging the swift handling of the situation and expressing gratitude for Bayly's contributions. Bayly has been succeeded by Scott Simpson as commerce minister, while Luxon left the door open for a potential future return to ministerial duties. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn a surprising shift, the US aligned with Russia during a UN General Assembly vote on a draft resolution aimed at de-escalating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The resolution, titled "Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine," was introduced by Ukraine and its European allies and received 93 votes in favor, with 65 abstentions and 18 against. Notably, the US, which has previously supported Kyiv, backed the resolution that criticized Russia while calling for an end to hostilities. This change in stance coincides with escalating tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Trump labeling Zelensky a "dictator" and urging a swift resolution to the war. The conflict, now in its third year, has resulted in significant casualties, with estimates of nearly 200,000 military deaths and thousands of civilian casualties. India abstained from the vote, advocating for a diplomatic solution. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 8 ameznews.inA UK bio-archaeologist has successfully reconstructed the face of a woman who lived in Dorset approximately 2,000 years ago. The young woman's remains, discovered in 2000 after cliff erosion near Kimmeridge Bay, were brought to life through advanced 3D technology and forensic techniques led by Bournemouth's Amber Manning. The reconstruction took into account her age, sex, weight, and ethnicity, revealing a woman aged between 20 and 30 who showed signs of undernourishment. The face will be displayed at Wareham Town Museum, which is set to reopen on April 5. This project follows last year’s unveiling of the face of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman named Shanidar Z, discovered in Iraq, whose skull was notably well-preserved despite being flattened. Such reconstructions provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of ancient people, bridging the gap between the past and present. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 7 ameznews.inRussian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that European nations and others are welcome to participate in discussions aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. In a televised interview, he expressed alignment with US President Donald Trump on several issues, acknowledging the potential role of European countries in peace talks, despite their previous reluctance to engage with Russia. Putin emphasized that while European nations have distanced themselves, their involvement is still welcome. He also criticized their emotional response to recent US-Russia meetings, asserting that these dialogues are essential for building trust. Putin commented on Trump's remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, labeling him a "toxic figure" due to unpopular decisions. Furthermore, he supported Trump’s proposal for significant cuts to military budgets among the US, Russia, and China, calling it a "good idea" for global peace efforts. 
Published: Feb 25 2025, 5 am
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
