&w=3840&q=100)
Elon Musk fires one of his confidants at Tesla. Who is Omead Afshar?
Tech billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has fired one of his trusted aides, Omead Afshar. Promoted less than a year ago, Afshar served as the president for manufacturing and operations at the car company. He joined Tesla in 2017 and quickly gained Elon Musk's trust. Notably, he has been fired from his role at a time when Tesla is seeing slumping demand in Europe and North America read more
Tech billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has fired one of his close aides, Omead Afshar.
Afshar, who was promoted less than a year ago, served as the president for manufacturing and operations at the car company.
He joined Tesla in 2017 and soon became one of Musk's most trusted team members. He was closely involved in key projects, including the Texas Gigafactory.
Notably, his exit is the most recent in a series of top-level departures from Tesla in the past few weeks.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
But who is Omead Afshar? Why was he fired?
Let's take a look:
Who is Omead Afshar?
Afshar is an American citizen born to Iranian parents.
He studied Biomedical Engineering with a focus on Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. He completed his graduation in 2009 and began his career as a ski instructor at Mammoth Mountain in California, according to International Business Times UK.
Afshar joined Tesla in 2017 as a project manager in the Office of the CEO. He quickly aligned himself with Elon Musk's plans and earned the billionaire's trust, which helped him move up the ranks within the company.
One of his major contributions at Tesla was leading the development of the massive 10-million-square-foot Gigafactory in Texas, a key project that boosted Tesla's growth and made Afshar as an important figure in the company's leadership.
In 2022, he was named Vice President at SpaceX.
Notably, his exit is the most recent in a series of top-level departures from Tesla in the past few weeks. Reuters/File Photo
Afshar also played a part in Musk's takeover of Twitter and its transformation into X. He was said to have helped reduce spending at the company, supporting Musk's sharp and effective approach to restructuring, the report said.
On Monday, Afshar shared on X that the robotaxi event in Austin was an 'absolutely historic day for Tesla' and added: 'Thank you, Elon, for pushing us all!'
Over the years, Afshar has spoken about working long hours and holidays with Musk, especially during the push to ramp up production of the Model 3 in 2018.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
In a post from March, he recalled 'living in the factory at this time, truly 24/7.'
Why was he fired?
Afshar was fired from his role at a time when Tesla is facing falling demand in Europe and North America . Reports say buyers are now choosing more affordable options offered by rival companies, while Tesla's current models have started to look outdated.
He quickly aligned himself with Elon Musk's plans and earned the billionaire's trust. Reuters/File Photo
People familiar with Tesla's operations told Reuters that Afshar had taken on greater responsibility earlier this year while Musk focused on political matters in Washington.
This year, Musk was a part of US President Donald Trump's cost-cutting campaign. Many investors and analysts believe this shift in focus took Musk's attention away from Tesla and may have put off some potential customers.
Tesla's main business, making cars, is going through one of its toughest periods in recent years. Sales have dropped across several markets, with growing competition, an ageing product line, and criticism of Musk's links to Trump all contributing to the decline.
In the first quarter of this year, Tesla's global vehicle deliveries dropped by 13%, and profits fell by 71%. The downward trend seems to be continuing.
Tesla's sales in the European Union were down 40% in May, The Wall Street Journal reported. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, shared on Wednesday, showed that buyers are switching to local brands and lower-cost Chinese electric cars.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
CNBC reported that Tesla's stock is down 19% this year, performing worse than the Nasdaq and many other top tech firms.
On Sunday, Tesla rolled out self-driving taxis in Austin, Texas. But analysts have raised concerns that plans to expand into more cities could run into trouble due to questions over safety and the current state of the technology.
Afshar's exit is part of a broader shake-up that has seen many senior staff leave Tesla over the past 14 months. These changes come as the company cuts thousands of jobs and shifts its focus towards artificial intelligence, self-driving systems, and robotics.
Those who have left recently include top figures in robotics, battery development, and public policy. Milan Kovac, head of the Optimus robot team, announced his exit this month. Battery chief Vineet Mehta left in May.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Software developer jobs shrink by over 70% in the US: Can new grads still break into tech?
The software development career path, long considered one of the most reliable gateways into the American workforce, is now facing a severe downturn. According to new data from Revelio Labs, a workforce intelligence company, job postings for software developers in the U.S. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now fell by over 70% between Quarter 1 in 2023 and Quarter 1 in 2025 — a decline more than twice as steep as the 35.8% drop in white-collar postings overall. For thousands of new graduates with degrees in computer science, coding bootcamp credentials, or tech-focused MBAs, this sharp contraction has made an already competitive market even more difficult to navigate. A tighter job market for tech talent The overall decline in white-collar job postings between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 stands at 12.7%, according to Revelio Labs — slightly sharper than the 11.9% decline in blue-collar roles during the same period. However, for software developers, the pullback has been far more drastic, suggesting a sector-specific hiring freeze that goes beyond the broader market slowdown. Other white-collar roles in tech and business functions have experienced similar declines. Job postings for Business Analysts, Market Researchers, and Delivery Managers have also fallen at nearly double the overall white-collar average, indicating a broader retraction in mid-level corporate hiring for analytical and project-based roles. Wage growth stalls for new hires Compounding the issue for job seekers, the salaries offered in white-collar tech job postings have remained flat since mid-2024, according to Revelio Labs' analysis. This stagnation contrasts sharply with the continued rise in blue-collar wages, which have steadily increased over the same period. The wage freeze has been most acute at the entry level, where employers appear less willing to compete aggressively for new graduates or early-career professionals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While mid-to-senior roles have seen modest salary stability, job postings for executive positions continue to show upward salary trends — highlighting a growing pay divide within the white-collar workforce. What this means for new grads Tech graduates entering the job market this year are facing a much different reality than their counterparts just two years ago. The decline in developer roles — combined with the stagnation of pay and a redistribution of jobs away from traditional tech hubs — suggests that new entrants must now work harder and smarter to break into the industry. Success may depend on the ability to: Diversify skillsets beyond traditional software development Gain certifications in high-demand areas like cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI Be flexible with location, salary expectations, and contract-based or freelance work While the overall volume of white-collar tech job postings is down, some specialized tech areas continue to see resilience, including DevOps, machine learning, and enterprise security. Graduates who target these niches, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt quickly, may still find opportunity in an otherwise cooling market. A tech reset, not a collapse The numbers from Revelio Labs report point to a significant reshaping of the white-collar and tech job landscape, but not an outright collapse. Rather than a death knell for software careers, the data likely marks a correction from years of aggressive hiring, followed by post-pandemic recalibration and economic caution. For new grads, the message is clear: the road into tech is now more competitive and less predictable, but it remains open — especially for those who are willing to shift with the market, sharpen their focus, and pursue the evolving roles where demand still exists.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Inside Trump's secret nuclear deal plan for Iran: Billions in aid and a total ban on enrichment
The Trump administration has intensified backchannel diplomacy with Iran following the ceasefire between Tehran and Tel Aviv, floating a suite of economic and nuclear energy incentives aimed at bringing Iran back to the negotiating table. According to a CNN report citing four sources familiar with the discussions, the US is considering offering Iran access to as much as $30 billion to develop a non-enrichment civilian nuclear energy programme, alongside sanctions relief and the unfreezing of billions in Iranian assets. The outreach comes despite two weeks of military escalation between Israel, Iran, and the United States, including US 'bunker-buster' strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In public statements, President Donald Trump has appeared non-committal about whether a formal agreement is necessary, but senior officials in his administration, including US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, are pressing forward with efforts to present a comprehensive 'term sheet' to Iran. CNN reports that key terms of the evolving proposal were discussed in a confidential meeting at the White House on June 21 between Witkoff and Gulf partners, just one day before the US strikes on Iran. Two sources said the meeting lasted several hours and included discussions on financing a new Iranian nuclear programme that would explicitly exclude uranium enrichment. The proposal includes: Witkoff told CNBC that the model the US is proposing for Iran resembles the United Arab Emirates' nuclear energy programme, which relies on foreign-supplied enriched uranium and includes international monitoring. 'Now the issue and the conversation with Iran is going to be, how do we rebuild a better civil nuclear programme for you that is non-enrichable?' Witkoff said. A Trump administration official emphasised to CNN that the US would not directly fund the project. Instead, the administration hopes Gulf allies will foot the bill. Although no direct meeting between the US and Iran has been confirmed, five rounds of talks reportedly occurred before the latest military escalation, with the sixth scuttled due to Israel's strikes. Following the US's retaliatory bombing campaign, intermediaries—primarily Qatar—have resumed discussions to salvage the ceasefire and revive the diplomatic track. The administration has conveyed to Iran through intermediaries that any new agreement must include a categorical end to uranium enrichment. According to CNN, the US warned Iran ahead of its military strikes that the action would be limited and that diplomatic channels remained open. At a NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, Trump confirmed the possibility of upcoming talks but maintained a sceptical tone. 'We may sign an agreement, I don't know,' he said. 'I don't care if I have an agreement or not. I could get a statement that they're not going to go nuclear, we're probably going to ask for that.' Trump also reaffirmed the administration's long-standing position: 'The only thing we'd be asking for is what we were asking for before: no nuclear.' Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio stressed that any such agreement must involve direct engagement between Iran and the United States, not just backchannel talks via third countries. This new diplomatic push comes amid controversy over the effectiveness of the recent US strikes. Leaked assessments from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) indicated that Iran's nuclear infrastructure may have largely remained intact, with chances of key enrichment sites becoming operational again within months. Trump administration officials have disputed those claims, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard asserting that newer intelligence indicates major destruction at the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites. Despite Trump's ambivalence, several of his advisers reportedly view a long-term nuclear agreement as key to ensuring the current ceasefire holds and to shaping his foreign policy legacy ahead of the 2026 election cycle. While Witkoff has signaled optimism, stating, 'I think they're ready,' no dates have been confirmed for formal US-Iran negotiations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has publicly denied knowledge of imminent talks. The Trump administration's attempt to pivot from military confrontation to diplomatic engagement marks a significant development in the region. However, with mutual distrust running high and Iran's parliament recently voting to end cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the road ahead remains fraught.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
What's in 'very big pact' with India as Donald Trump's tariff deadline nears?
US President Donald Trump has claimed that a 'very big' deal with India could come soon. His remarks came as Indian negotiators landed in the United States on Friday for the final round of talks on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). But what do we know? What do experts think? read more US President Donald Trump delivering remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. Reuters Is the trade deal between India and the US imminent? US President Donald Trump has claimed that a 'very big' deal with India could come soon. Trump's remarks came as Indian negotiators landed in the United States on Friday for the final round of talks on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Trump on April 2 – which he had dubbed 'liberation day' – had announced tariffs on dozens of nations. Trump later paused his 'reciprocal tariffs' and issued a 90-day deadline for countries to reach bilateral trade deals with America. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That deadline is set to expire on July 9. 'Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it… we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. A very big one. Where we're going to open up India. In the China deal, we are starting to open up China,' Trump said on Friday. 'We're not going to make deals with everybody. Some, we are just going to send them a letter, say thank you very much… My people don't want to do it that way. They want to do some of it, but they want to make more deals than I would do'. But what's in this 'very big pact'? What do experts think? Let's take a closer look: What's in this 'very big' pact? India's team is being led by Rajesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal, who is the chief negotiator, will be dealing with US officials including those from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Trade between India and the United States touched $131.84 billion in the 24-25 Financial Year. If no deal is reached, India will face a base tariff of 10 per cent – lower than the 26 per cent Trump originally imposed. The US wants India to open up its agriculture, dairy, aviation and energy sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It wants India to reduce tariffs on soy, wheat, ethanol and corn – two of which are its top exports to China. The US also wants less tariffs on apples. Reports say the meetings between the two sides have been contentious at times – with the Indian side pushing back on US demands particularly when it comes to its sensitive agriculture and dairy market. The US wants India to open up its agriculture, dairy, aviation and energy sectors, while New Delhi is looking for Washington to cut tariffs on steel and auto parts The US also wants to sell genetically modified (GM) crops in India. However, the Indian side is pushing back to protect Indian farmers. They also say they do not want to undercut the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system in India. A NITI Aayog working paper in May suggested that New Delhi offer some concessions on 'soybean oil imports' to help redress the trade imbalance – which has become an obsession for Trump. India is the world's biggest importer of edible oil. India may agree to reduce tariffs on automobiles – a long-pending demand of the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India, on the other hand, wants the US to roll back its reciprocal tariffs to zero. New Delhi also wants Washington to cut tariffs on steel and auto parts. The US had imposed a 50 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium, and a 25 per cent tariff on automobile imports from India. But there is a stumbling block. 'The US side first wants India to commit to deeper import tariff cuts on farm goods like soybeans and corn , cars and alcoholic beverages along with easing of non-tariff barriers,' an official in the know has said. What do experts think? Experts think a bilateral trade deal (BTA) could benefit traders exporting textiles, gems and jewellery, smartphones and pharmaceuticals to the US. However, they say a BTA could benefit US exporters particularly those sending walnuts, pistachios and cranberries more. They say this is because many of New Delhi's exports to Washington already have duty-free access to the market. They say the rest could get only a limited boost. Which is perhaps why some have suggested caution. 'The ball is now in the US court. India is not for any win-lose trade partnership,' Ram Singh, chief of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, told The Times of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Global Trade Research Initiative, for example, has warned against a deal that favours the US. India and the US in February had agreed to increase bilateral trade, which was at $262 billion in 2024, to $500 billion by 2030. Reuters 'The more likely outcome is a limited trade pact - styled after the US-UK mini trade deal announced on May 8,' GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said. 'Any trade deal with the US must not be politically driven or one-sided, it must protect our farmers, our digital ecosystem, and our sovereign regulatory space.' 'There may also be pressure on India to ease FDI restrictions in multi-brand retail, potentially benefiting firms like Amazon and Walmart and to liberalise rules on remanufactured goods, currently subject to stringent import norms,' Srivastava added. 'India must hold its ground and insist on a reciprocal, balanced, and transparent agreement,' the think-tank added. Indian officials have insisted that the country's interests will come first in any deal. 'Protecting India's interests will be supreme in India-US BTA talks,' an Indian official in the know said. Modi and Trump in February had agreed to increase bilateral trade, which was at $262 billion in 2024, to $500 billion by 2030. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
