25 Feb 2025 | 08:58:47 PM IST
FILE PHOTO: Iran’s and U.S.’ flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Synopsis
“There will be no possibility of direct talks between us and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as the maximum pressure is applied in this way,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with his visiting Russian counterpart, referring to President Donald Trump’s hardline approach to Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday dismissed the possibility of direct negotiations with the United States on his country’s nuclear programme.
“There will be no possibility of direct talks between us and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as the maximum pressure is applied in this way,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with his visiting Russian counterpart, referring to President Donald Trump’s hardline approach to Tehran.
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Maha Kumbh 2025: ‘Sandhya aarti’ being performed at Triveni Ghat in Prayagraj
U.S. Treasury’s Bessent: ‘So far so good’ when asked about trade relationship with Australia
Tomorrow we have an unprecedented visit to India of the European Union Commission. We are glad today that the EU Ambassador and Ambassadors from EU are here with us. We will be discussing the Indo-Pacific with the EU Commission when they come.
– EAM Dr S Jaishankar
Thai Credit Bank Posts FY net profit 3.62 Billion Baht
The support that we are getting here in Karnal shows that we are going to form the triple engine government here…We will win the Mayor polls with the majority…Our leader, Renu Bala Gupta, will win with the majority … I am seeing this enthusiasm across the state…The mask on the face of Arvind Kejriwal has been removed in Delhi, now it will happen in Punjab too
– Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini
An inter-state infant trafficking racket operating in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was busted on Tuesday, with the arrest of 11 people, including three childless couples who had purchased babies. Police rescued four infants from Gujarat.
Acting on a tip-off, police teams, in coordination with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), apprehended the accused, including K Krishnaveni and B Deepthi.
They had allegedly bought four infants from Vandana, a resident of Ahmedabad, and sold them to three families in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through intermediaries, Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu said.
FinMin defers review meeting with heads of PSU banks to March 5
KPI Green Energy says KP Group Signs MoU with Madhya Pradesh government for 1.8 GW renewable projects
Source: Reuters
Blackstone and Omers look to offload Healthcare Groups in multibillion-dollar deals
Source: Reuters
UK pauses most direct aid to Rwanda over eastern DR Congo conflict: govt
The UK government said Tuesday it was suspending most direct bilateral aid to Rwanda over an offensive by the M23 group in eastern DR Congo which UN experts say is supported by Rwandan soldiers.
“Rwanda may have security concerns but it is unacceptable to resolve these militarily. There can only be a political solution to this conflict,” a government spokesperson said, adding the aid would be suspended “until significant progress” was made in reducing the fighting.
Amit Shah chairs meeting on BBSSL’s sweet seeds initiative, directs action plan for database and organic production
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting in New Delhi today, focusing on BBSSL’s sweet seeds initiative. He directed the preparation of a detailed action plan for a database of sweet seeds for fruits, vegetables, and food grains. Additionally, BBSSL will ensure the organic production of traditional seeds from various regions, making them widely available in the market.
In the last decade, Assam and all the Northeastern states have seen the Modi Government act fast and act first when it came to their development. Its evidence is in the nature of resources committed, the targeting of goals through specific initiatives, the quality of delivery, and indeed, the very change in outlook. You all know how much interested Prime Minister Modi has personally taken in the development of the Northeast and how many times he has come to assign. When ministers of the Modi government are continuously encouraged to visit the North.
– EAM Dr S Jaishankar
CBSE’s plan for conducting Class-10 board exams twice a year: Practical or internal assessment to be done only once
S&P 500 real estate sector hits over two month high, last up 1.2%
Both examinations will be conducted on full syllabus: CBSE’s plan for conducting Class-10 board exams twice a year
AAP MLA Jarnail Singh addresses a press conference in Delhi. Here’s what he said
“Today, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi sentenced Sajjan Kumar, the main accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, to life imprisonment after 41 years. The victims’ families, who live in my constituency, are calling me and expressing disappointment, as they had expected the criminal, who killed thousands of Sikhs, to receive the death penalty, not life imprisonment.”
Here’s what Advocate Ashwani Dubey said on tabling of CAG report in Delhi Assembly
“CAG report says that there are critical decisions which were taken without necessary approvals from the cabinet. Additionally, the revised excise rules were not presented to the Delhi legislative assembly. This is voilative to the government protocols. And then economic consequences, the policy’s mismanagement led to the major revenue shortfall is straining the Delhi government’s finances and the impact of public services and development projectors… As of now, the report suggests that the excise policy was manipulated to benefit certain entities leading to significant financial losses.”
Karnataka: In light of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly session scheduled for the first week of March, senior leaders of the BJP and JD(S) held a meeting to discuss the strategies to be followed in both houses
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Karnataka’s Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, former Chief Ministers Sadananda Gowda and Basavaraj Bommai, BJP State President B. Y. Vijayendra and other NDA leaders participated in the meeting.
Sempra Q4 adjusted EPS $1.5 versus. IBES estimate $1.6
Delhi: Congress leader Balram Naik says, “All the ministers and workers of the party are continuously monitoring the situation there, and soon we will be able to rescue all the workers trapped inside the SLBC tunnel…”
29 dead due to hail, rain in Afghanistan: officials
Twenty-nine people died in two provinces in southwestern Afghanistan due to hail and heavy rain, officials said Tuesday.
“Twenty-one people were killed and six others were injured” because of hail in western Farah province, Mohammad Israel Sayar, head of the province’s Disaster Management Department, said. In southern Kandahar, the local disaster management department said in a statement that eight people — including women and children — were killed in several locations due to heavy rain.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwar on Tuesday said that Delhi needs to redevelop slums as Mumbai did
Speaking to PTI, Tiwari said: “Slums in Delhi are similar to the slums in Mumbai. People of Mumbai and Maharashtra government took fabulous steps to redevelop the slums. Even I got a house in Mumbai after the redevelopment of slums. Delhi needs such system of development of slums. We couldn’t do anything about development of slums because we were not in power. Now that we are in power in Delhi, I will push for redevelopment of slums.”
On the challenge of tackling air pollution in India, he said, “The big difference between Delhi and Mumbai is the environment. Mumbai has the sea, Delhi doesn’t. Delhi has extreme weather–cold, heat, rain and humidity. It is a challenge to make Delhi pollution free. Mumbai has good airflow which is not there in Delhi.”
Hockey India announces cash reward of Rs 1 lakh to each player and Rs 50,000 to each member of support staff for beating reigning Olympic champions Netherlands in women’s FIH Pro League
What she is saying is wrong…70 crore people have come here and took a holy dip, is that incorrect?… People have seen the power of Sanatan Dharam
– Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty
Adani Green Energy says Saur Urja receives LoA from UPPCL for 1,250 MW Energy storage
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Uday Stalin inaugurated the ‘U’ shaped flyover and pedestrian overpass
This is the first visit of the college outside of Europe. It is always a little bit of a symbolic visit in the sense that we tend to go to a strategically important and relevant place in the first mandate of President von der Leyen. Now, we have actually a college-to-government meeting, a meeting with the entire government of India in New Delhi, India. The visit will take place on Friday, February 28th. India is a strategic partner. Last year, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the European Union and India. Now, we’re looking at developing a new strategic agenda with India.
– Senior European Commission official on he visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
We look at India as a partner for peace, says Senior European Commission official
On the visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to India and the visit of the College to India, A Senior European Commission official said, “We look at India as a partner for peace, and to the extent that it is an advocate for peace, I think the time is certainly right for having the discussion on what durable and just peace looks like. I think we came up with a very clear idea of how we seek peace, how that needs clear and credible security guarantees for Ukraine, and how we are partnering with others to make sure that we have not just security and peace in Europe but also security and peace more generally. So, I think we go with that mindset to India, and we will look forward to having very good discussions. This issue is on the agenda very clearly. We will be looking forward to how India and Prime Minister Modi’s government see the current discussions on making peace happen and how this can be a durable peace…”
Delhi Capitals opt to bowl against Gujarat Giants in their Women’s Premier League match in Bengaluru
Indian women’s hockey team stuns reigning Olympic champions Netherlands in shootout in FIH Pro League in Bhubaneswar
In this scam, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia have both been arrested, so this will come up in it. It will also come up in the CAG report…It will come up in the Vidhan Sabha now, BJP will not leave them.
– TMC MP Saugata Roy
Doda, J&K: The administration has declared the footbridge built on the Chenab River in Premnagar unsafe for traffic
Harvinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Doda, says, “An audit was done, and in this Premnagar bridge has been considered unsafe. We will take all the necessary measures in this direction.”
Systech proposes to undertake a private placement of up to 64.3 million shares
Source: Reuters
Iran rules out ‘direct talks’ with US on nuclear issue
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday dismissed the possibility of direct negotiations with the United States on his country’s nuclear programme.
“There will be no possibility of direct talks between us and the United States on the nuclear issue as long as the maximum pressure is applied in this way,” Araghchi said during a joint press conference with his visiting Russian counterpart, referring to President Donald Trump’s hardline approach to Tehran.
New India Cooperative Bank scam case: Mumbai Police EOW is planning to move court for lie detector test of Hitesh Mehta, the main accused in the scam case
Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait addresses Kisan Mahapanchayat in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. Here’s what he said
“The police in the district are targeting members of the Sikh community. Is there an attempt to create a Sikh-free Terai region? If this happens, we will protest… The current government is creating an atmosphere of fear in the country with the help of officials. The government’s strategy is to ensure that most of the land reaches industrialists, and farmers are turned into labourers…”
A student died by suicide after allegedly jumping from the roof of a building in IIT Patna campus located in Amhara, Bihta, Patna
Tata Power Company signs MoU with Assam Government for 5000 MW renewable energy
MP to play big role in achieving goal of making India 3rd largest economy by 2027: Amit Shah at GIS conclusion in Bhopal
Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy files complaint against Bandi Sanjay’s ‘Pakistan-India’ remark to Telangana CEO
Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, along with other Congress leaders, today complained to the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana against Union Minister for State Bandi Sanjay’s remarks comparing the Congress party to Pakistan and the BJP to India, referring to a cricket match.
Maharashtra govt raises DA of employees by 12 per cent
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai visits Manipur to assess security situation along Indo-Myanmar border
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), visited Manipur on 24 & 25 February 2025, to evaluate the security situation along the Indo-Myanmar border.
During his visit, he assessed the current security dynamics in the state, including fringe areas. He also interacted with other key stakeholders, emphasising a coordinated “whole of government” approach: ADG PI – Indian Army
Two men were shot on their legs on Tuesday in an encounter with Tarn Taran police officers
The two individuals are accused of extorting Rs 20 lakh from two shop owners under the direction of gangster Prabh Dasuwal. The men have been identified as Prakash Singh Goldy and Prabhjeet Singh.
“In the morning after a tip-off twe tried to stop a motorcycle. The riders opened fire but the motorcycle skidded on the road because of rains. They fired two rounds at police. Police fired back injuring both of them in the leg. They had asked for a ransom of Rs 20 lakh from an individual named Gurmeet Singh, crockery shop owner, and Parveen Kumar, a petrol pump owner. The two men injured have been identified as Prakash Singh and Prabhjeet Singh. They worked for gangster Prabh Dasuwal, extorting money from people,” said a police officer.
BJP leader and New Delhi MLA Parvesh Verma takes charge as Delhi PWD Minister
“I have been entrusted with a great responsibility. This is not just a charge, but the hope and trust of the people of Delhi. My party leaders have given me this responsibility, and I will work hard to fulfill the responsibility,” he says.
Amanatullah Khan has been granted anticipatory bail on furnishing a bond of Rs. 25,000 and one surety in the like amount
Mumbai: A man who allegedly jumped off from Mantralaya building was saved by the safety net. More details awaited
Jharkhand: 18 minor boys arrested in the alleged gangrape of 5 minor tribal girls in Khunti
Anurag Gupta, DGP, Jharkhand, says, ” 18 boys have been arrested. All the boys are minors…all the rape survivor girls, in this case, they are being provided all the govt facilities. Among the 18 boys arrested, those who are above 16, will be tried as adults so that in our society, boys wouldn’t do such dirty acts…”
CBI conducting searches at 60 locations across country in connection with bitcoin and crypto fraud case: Officials
The Rouse Avenue court grants anticipatory bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan
The Rouse Avenue court granted anticipatory bail to AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan.
Delhi police have registered a case against Amanatullah Khan for obstructing public servants in the Jamia Nagar area on February 10.
He was granted interim protection and asked to join the investigation.
Pope Francis has met at the hospital with the Vatican secretary of state about candidates for sainthood
reports AP, citing the Vatican
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives in Bhopal to attend the concluding session of Global Investors Summit – 2025
Parvesh Verma slams opposition over CAG report, calls Ambedkar photo controversy ‘fake’
Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said, ” Opposition knew that the CAG report was coming therefore, they started creating an atmosphere from yesterday. Issue of BR Ambedkar’s photo and Bhagat Singh’s photo, all these are fake. There is no such issue…in CAG report, it is shown that there has been a corruption of Rs 2,002 crore, as far as I have read it. Next day, there will be a discussion on it and everything will be in front of you…since CAG report has come, our MLAs want discussion on it and Speaker has given permission for the same…Discussion will be held on LG’s speech as well…”
CBI cracks down on illegal project in Chandigarh
The CBI has registered a case against Berkeley Real Tech Limited, Godrej Estate Developers and Estate Office officials for building a big project in Chandigarh Industrial Area Phase-1 without environmental and wildlife clearance during the years 2010-2013. They have been booked under sections 420, 120B of the IPC and sections 13(2), 13(1)(D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh and former Union Minister Chinta Mohan today visited Tirumala to offer prayers before Lord Venkateswara
Kremlin says Russia has lots of rare earth metals that the US needs and is open to cooperation
TPCC chief slams Bandi Sanjay’s statement on MLC Polls
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay’s statement on MLC polls, TPCC chief Mahesh Kumar Goud said, “We condemn the statement he has made. We will complain to the Election Commission.”
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court awards life sentence to Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case
- He was convicted in a case related to the killing of a father-son duo in the Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984.
- Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar was convicted on February 12 under sections related to rioting, unlawful assembly and murder etc.
Axis is said to weigh majority stake sale of $1 billion shadow bank unit
India’s Axis Bank Ltd. is considering options for Axis Finance Ltd., including the possible sale of a majority stake in the shadow-bank unit, according to people familiar with the development.
Various teams, including NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute) experts, go into the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, where a rescue operation is underway.
Vedanta Group to invest Rs 50,000 cr in 3-4 years in oil and gas sector in Assam, Tripura: Chairman Anil Agarwal in Guwahati
Delhi High Court declines urgent hearing on petition seeking ban on DeepSeek
Government school in Rudraram village painted in a unique train theme to increase enrollment of students
Uttar Pradesh: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu leaves without replying when asked about BJP’s allegation about his foreign visit to the Maldives.
German economy shrank by 0.2% in Q4, statistics office confirms
CAG report not tabled since 2017-18, Former LoP Vijender Gupta slams previous government
Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said, “It is amazing to know that CAG report has not been tabled in the assembly after 2017-18. In this regard, the then LoP, i.e. me, and five other opposition leaders had requested the President, Speaker of the assembly, CM, and Chief Secretary to table the report. It was much needed to obtain the financial condition of the state. Unfortunately, the CAG report was not tabled, and the previous government violated the Constitution.”
Adani Group to invest Rs 50,000 crore in Assam across various sectors: Gautam Adani at business summit in Guwahati
BJP replaced portrait of Ambedkar with that of PM Modi, says Atishi
Former CM and Delhi LoP Atishi said, “BJP has replaced the portrait of Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar with that of PM Narendra Modi…Does the BJP think that PM Modi is greater than Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar? When AAP MLAs raised the slogans of Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, they were suspended. But when BJP MLAs raised slogans of PM Modi, they did not say anything. This means that the BJP hates Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar…”
AAP MLAs, including LoP Atishi, who have been suspended from the Delhi Assembly for the day, hold protest in the Assembly premises
Delhi Assembly: Suspended MLAs stage protest outside house
Suspended MLAs of the Delhi Assembly have launched a protest outside the House.
Corruption-free governance, women empowerment, clean Delhi, rejuvenation of Yamuna, clean drinking water focus areas of govt: L-G Saxena
My govt will adopt ‘Viksit Delhi Sankalp Patra’ as document for policy guidance and fulfil all promises made to people: L-G Saxena
Joint Parliament Committee meeting on ’One Nation One Election’ bill
Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Randeep Surjewala, LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary and other leaders arrive to attend Joint Parliament Committee meeting on ’One Nation One Election’ related bill.
Cheating case
Nashik court suspends Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate’s 2-year jail sentence; to hear his appeal against conviction.
AAP MLAs, including ex-CM Atishi, suspended for the day ahead of CAG report in Delhi Assembly
BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah slams AAP MLAs’ protest in Delhi Assembly
On the AAP MLAs’ protest inside the Delhi Assembly yesterday, BJP MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah said, “The pictures of Dr BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh are there (in the CM office). They are just lying…”
AAP on CAG report
On the CAG report to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly today, AAP Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “… Former CM Atishi forwarded the CAG report to the Speaker and presenting it is an ordinary process… Dwarka expressway was made at an exceptionally high cost, which should also be investigated…”
Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on the CAG report
On the CAG report to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly today, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “The CAG report will expose the scams of Arvind Kejriwal’s government. It will expose the liquor scam. This is the first government in the last 3 years in which the Opposition had to go to the High Court to get the CAG report tabled.”
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta arrives at the Delhi Assembly
Russia strikes again
All of Ukraine under air raid alert as Trump breaks ranks with NATO, sides with Putin.
CAG report on Kejriwal govt’s ‘scams’ to be tabled in Delhi assembly today, says Minister
Elon Musk promises ‘MAJOR’ voice improvements as Grok rolls out new update
Punjab police demolished the illegal construction of a drug mafia, Sonu of Talwandi village late last night by a bulldozer. Sonu has been involved in drug smuggling for 3 years, and 6 FIRs were registered against him.
Punjab police bulldozes drug Mafia Sonu’s illegal construction
Punjab police demolished the illegal construction of a drug mafia, Sonu of Talwandi village late last night by a bulldozer. Sonu has been involved in drug smuggling for 3 years, and 6 FIRs were registered against him
Rupee vs US dollar
Rupee falls 16 paise to 86.88 against US dollar in early trade
PM Modi to visit Guwahati and inaugurate Advantage Assam 2.0
Brace for heat!
IMD issues two-day heatwave alert for Mumbai, Thane and neighbouring districts in Maharashtra
Delhi: Dwarka fire doused; 2 vehicles, grocery shop charred
A fire that broke out at a house in Dwarka Sector 16, Azad Nagar, in the early hours of Tuesday was doused with the help of eight fire tenders, officials confirmed. According to the Delhi Fire Service, the blaze damaged two vehicles, a grocery shop, and “domestic items” on the ground floor. No injuries were reported in the incident, officials added.
CAG report in Delhi Assembly today: BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari slams AAP, alleges corruption
On the CAG report to be tabled in the Delhi Assembly today, BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says, “The CAG report will expose the blatant corruption of Arvind Kejriwal led AAP-da party. It is in the interests of justice that the money of the taxpayers of Delhi which was looted by Arvind Kejriwal for his personal corruption should be returned to the people of Delhi…Knowing that his corruption will be exposed in front of the public of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘AAP-da’ party is rattled…Those who started their political career flagging the CAG report in every corner of the country will be exposed today with the same CAG report which enlists the corruption of ‘AAP-da’ and Arvind Kejriwal”
South Korea cuts growth outlook, interest rates
South Korea’s central bank on Tuesday slashed interest rates and its annual growth forecast as it looks to bolster the economy in the face of US tariffs and amid the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law last year. An official at the Bank of Korea told AFP it expected gross domestic product to expand 1.5 percent in 2025, down from its initial estimate of 1.9 percent. The benchmark interest rate would also be lowered “from the current 3.00 percent to 2.75 percent”, the official said. The economy grew less than expected in the final three months of 2024 as Yoon’s martial law move hit consumer confidence and domestic demand.
Trump calls for revival of Keystone XL Pipeline project
US President Donald Trump on Monday called for the revival of the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline project opposed by environmental activists that was blocked under his predecessor Joe Biden.
China’s LI Auto launches first electric SUV I8
Reuters reports
Vivek Ramaswamy announces candidature for Ohio Governor
Indian-origin entrepreneur and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy has announced his candidacy to serve as the next Governor of Ohio. A staunch supporter of US President Donald Trump, Ramaswamy emphasised that Ohio’s best days are yet to come.
Fears of US public health crises grow amid falling vaccination rates
Plummeting immunization rates, outbreaks of once-vanquished childhood diseases, and the appointment of a vocal vaccine skeptic as health secretary have US experts sounding the alarm about a looming public health crisis. Since the start of the year, nearly 100 cases of measles have been reported in Texas and neighboring New Mexico, raising fears that the highly contagious and potentially serious illness is making a comeback.
Bay of Bengal hit by 5.1 magnitude earthquake
Pope critical but showing ‘slight improvement’: Vatican
Pope Francis is still critically ill as he battles double pneumonia, but his condition has shown a “slight improvement”, the Vatican said on Monday. The 88-year-old pontiff is spending his 11th night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, making it the longest hospital stay of his nearly 12-year papacy. The pope, it said, was still receiving oxygen, “although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen percentage.”
Tesla to add city navigation feature to software in China
Tesla plans to update software in cars in China to add driving-assistance capabilities that will help drivers navigate city streets, according to a company notification and two people with direct knowledge of the matter. The US automaker on Monday notified Chinese users of its software of the planned update to its autopilot feature but retracted the notice within minutes, showed multiple posts on Chinese social media.
Firings at US agency foreshadow second wave of mass govt layoffs
The US government’s human resources agency is rushing to shut down and drastically shrink entire departments in what sources familiar with the actions say will serve as a template for a second wave of mass layoffs in the federal bureaucracy. The Office of Personnel Management, which oversees the personal information of millions of past and current government workers, has eliminated its entire 40-strong procurement team and gutted a group overseeing the handling of sensitive employee data within the agency, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The sources, who asked to speak anonymously out of fear of reprisals, said the process to begin targeting career civil servants at OPM will serve as a model for the next phase of new and more sweeping layoffs across government agencies.
North Korea’s Kim says weapons without ideology are ‘ironware’
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country has come a long way in building a powerful army but weapons without ideology are simply “ironware”, as he stressed loyalty to some of its most elite military cohorts, state media reported. Kim’s remarks at the Kim Il Sung University of Politics come at a time of political uncertainties at home with many of the more than its 10,000 troops fighting for Russia against Ukraine reportedly suffering heavy losses.
Macron says peace cannot amount to ‘surrender of Ukraine’
French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that peace cannot mean the “surrender” of Ukraine, warning as he met US counterpart Donald Trump against a world in which the “law of the strongest” wins. “This peace cannot mean the surrender of Ukraine,” Macron told a joint news conference with Trump at the White House. Ukraine “fought over these past few years for its independence and for its sovereignty, but also for our collective security,” Macron said. “I think that no one in this room wants to live in a world where it’s the law of the strongest and international borders can be violated from one day to the next.”