Elon Musk pulls back from Trump's DOGE role to refocus on Tesla
Synopsis
Musk posted a picture of himself wearing an X-branded t-shirt, instead of the "Tech Support" and "DOGE" t-shirts he has frequently been wearing since Donald Trump returned as US President. The post comes days after Tesla's earnings call, where the car maker reported a 20% fall in car sales and a massive 70% plunge in Q1 2025. Musk addressed growing shareholder concerns over his divided focus.
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Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Golden Dome missile defence system — A must know for UPSC Exam
Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today on Golden Dome. (Relevance: Various air defence systems, missiles, fighter jets, and aircraft types are some of the important topics of defence technology that have been asked by UPSC in prelims. In 2018, a question was asked on Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD). As in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, air defence systems have been in the news; it becomes important to know about the Golden Dome and Iron Dome. US President Donald Trump has offered the 'Golden Dome' missile defence system for free to Canada, which had shown interest after the Republican leader announced it but added a rider that Ottawa can have it without paying any charge 'if it becomes part of the US' 51st State'. Notably, on May 20, US President Donald Trump said he has shortlisted a design for the 'Golden Dome' missile defence shield and made General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force in charge of the project. In this context, let's know about Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' and what it is inspired by. 1. First floated by Trump this January, the Golden Dome is inspired by Israel's much lauded Iron Dome system — a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system. But it is far more ambitious in scale and scope, and seeks to integrate 'next-generation' technologies across land, sea, and even space. 2. Trump said that the system will comprise, among other things, space-based sensors and interceptors. If this were to be true, this would make the Golden Dome the very first truly space-based weapon system. 3. As of right now, the use of space technology in defence has largely been restricted to reconnaissance. Satellites provide crucial targeting and other data for Earth-based weapon systems such as long-range missiles, guided munitions, etc. 4. The proposed Golden Dome goes one step further, with the introduction of interceptors to be launched from space. Exactly how they will work is still unclear. But according to the initial plans, the system will comprise thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth, which will intercept an enemy missile mere moments after it is launched, NPR reported. 5. Trump said the defense shield would cost some $175 billion, and will be operational by January 2029, when his term ends. But industry experts are skeptical of both this timeline and estimated cost, Reuters reported. 6. Technologically speaking, the idea behind Golden Dome is not far-fetched. But it is untested, and at the moment, more of a 'concept'. 'Right now, Golden Dome is, it's really an idea,' one source had told CNN in March. This also makes projecting timelines and costs very difficult, the article added. 1. Iron Dome is a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system that includes a radar and Tamir interceptor missiles that track and neutralise any rockets or missiles aimed at Israeli targets. It is used for countering rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM) as well as aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. 2. The genesis of the Iron Dome goes back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war, when the Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel. The following year, Israel announced that its state-run Rafael Advance Systems would come up with a new air defence system to protect its cities and people. It was developed with Israel Aerospace Industries. 3. Notably, the idea behind Trump's proposed Golden Dome is inspired by Israel's much lauded Iron Dome system. But the Iron Dome's capabilities pale in comparison to what Trump wants with the Golden Dome. 📌 The Iron Dome does not rely on satellites for any aspect of its functionality, even tracking. It primarily relies on radars to identify and track enemy targets. Although Trump's Golden Dome will likely comprise radar and other ground-based targeting systems as well, its main selling point, thus far, is the deployment of space-based systems. 📌Israel is nearly 400 times smaller than the US, and consists of mostly flat desert terrain, which makes short-range interceptors ideal and cost-efficient for air defence. Moreover, its primary threats come from non-conventional actors like Hezbollah and Hamas. The US requires a far more expansive air defence system. Most notably, the US must be able to defend against Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), technology which both China and Russia — Washington's two main geopolitical rivals — possess. ICBMs can be launched from tens of thousands of kilometres away, and travel to space as a part of their flight trajectory. Tracking ICBMs necessitates the use of satellites. And while they can be neutralised using ground-based interceptors, space-based weapons have long been thought to be more effective for this task given that they re-enter Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speeds. 1. The United Nations' Outer Space Treaty is an international agreement binding member states to only use outer space for peaceful purposes. It spells out the principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. 2. The treaty came into force in October, 1967, during the peak of the Cold War, after being ratified by Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It lays down the following governing principles: 📌 The exploration and use of outer space will be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and will be the province of all mankind. 📌 Outer space will be free for exploration and use by all states. 📌 Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty. 📌 States will not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space in any other manner. 📌 The Moon and other celestial bodies will be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. 📌 Astronauts will be regarded as the envoys of mankind. 📌 States will be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by governmental or non-governmental entities. 📌 States will be liable for damage caused by their space objects. 📌 States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies. 1. The Artemis Accords, launched by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020, have 53 signatories, including India. 2. It implements fundamental commitments from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and emphasises commitment to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, and best practices for responsible behaviour, such as the public distribution of scientific data. 3. The accords are a series of non-binding agreements that establish principles to be respected in outer space. With reference to the Outer Space Treaty, consider the following statements: 1. It entered into force during the peak of World War II and provides the basic framework on international space law that remains in place to date. 2. As per one of the Articles of the treaty the activities of non-governmental entities in outer space shall require authorisation and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (Sources: What we know about Trump's 'Golden Dome', Trump offers Golden Dome missile shield to Canada 'for free', but 'only if it joins US as 51st state', What is the Outer Space Treaty and why the US and Russia are at odds over it? ) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
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First Post
29 minutes ago
- First Post
Indian-origin Ashok Elluswamy to head Tesla's Optimus robot project
Milan Kovac, head of Tesla's Optimus robot programme, has stepped down to spend more time with his family. His role will be taken over by Ashok Elluswamy, who leads Tesla's Autopilot team. read more Milan Kovac, head of Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot programme, announced on Friday that he is stepping down to spend more time with his family abroad. Kovac, who led the programme since 2022 and became a vice president last year, said in a post on X that his departure is purely for personal reasons. According to Bloomberg News, Kovac is leaving the role immediately. His responsibilities will be taken over by Ashok Elluswamy, who currently heads Tesla's Autopilot team. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Elon Musk had earlier said Tesla aimed to produce thousands of Optimus robots this year, but progress was affected by China's export restrictions on rare-earth magnets. An old tweet by Elon Musk about Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's head of AI, has gone viral again. On June 2, 2025, Musk reshared his 2015 post that said, 'Ramping up the Autopilot software team at Tesla to achieve generalized full autonomy. If interested, contact autopilot@ This tweet 9 years ago was how I started the Autopilot, now AI, team at Tesla. Ashok, who now leads the team, was the first person I interviewed. Milan, who leads Optimus, also joined very early. Many of the key people in Tesla AI have been there from the beginning. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 2, 2025 In the post, Elon Musk said Ashok Elluswamy was the first person he interviewed when building Tesla's Autopilot team. Musk wrote, 'This tweet 9 years ago is how I started the Autopilot, now AI, team at Tesla. Ashok, who now leads the team, was the first person I interviewed. Milan, who heads Optimus, also joined early. Many key people in Tesla AI have been there from the start.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
California unrest: How Los Angeles immigration protests turned ugly after citywide ICE operations
Hundreds of protesters rallied in Los Angeles late Friday afternoon, to condemn the ICE immigration raids that took place at three different locations across L.A. earlier in the day. US President Donald Trump is deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen in Los Angeles to deal with unrest over raids on undocumented migrants. His border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News on Saturday: "We are making Los Angeles safer." Here are ten points you need to know on California protests: -On Saturday, California witnessed unrest for second day in a row as residents of a predominantly Latino district clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) federal agents. Cops resorted to tear gas and batons to disperse crowds in the Paramount district. -The protests broke out following dozens of arrests the day prior in citywide Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. On Friday, ICE officers executed search warrants at multiple locations including outside a clothing warehouse in the Fashion District, reports CBS News by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Click Here) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo -The action came after a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the US Attorney's Office. ALSO READ: Trump deploys 2,000 national guard troops to LA amid growing anti-ICE protests Live Events -A tense scene unfolded as a crowd attempted to prevent agents from leaving in their vehicles. Meanwhile, protests on Friday also erupted around a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, after demonstrators heard reports that detainees were allegedly being held in the building's basement. -Advocates for immigrants' rights said there were also migration detentions outside Home Depot and Dale's Donuts stores. On Saturday, protests erupted in the L.A. County city of Paramount after it appeared that federal law enforcement officers were conducting another immigration operation there. -The Department of Homeland Security announced that recent ICE operations in Los Angeles led to the arrest of 118 immigrants this week, with 44 of those detained during Friday's actions. According to the DHS, the arrests included five individuals connected to criminal organizations, as well as others with prior criminal records. ALSO READ: Amid Trump-Musk spat, Tesla CEO's immigration status under scanner. Can President deport him? -Following the Friday arrests, protesters gathered in the evening outside a federal detention center, chanting, "Set them free, let them stay!" Some held signs with anti-ICE slogans, and some scrawled graffiti on the building. -Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth wrote on X that his department was "mobilising the National Guard IMMEDIATELY to support federal law enforcement in Los Angeles". "And, if violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilised - they are on high alert," he added. ALSO READ: Thomas Fugate: A novice who replaced an army veteran to lead US terror prevention centre -The California governor, Gavin Newsom, said in a statement on X that the federal government was 'moving to take over' the California national guard. Newsom said the mobilization was 'purposefully inflammatory' and warned that it would 'only escalate tensions'. 'The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles — not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,' he said later. 'Don't give them one.' -Trump hit out at the governor on his Truth Social platform, saying that if he and Bass could not do their jobs, "then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!"
