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SAN FRANCISCO – Tesla CEO Elon Musk, once a key architect of President Donald Trump’s aggressive cost-cutting agenda, delivered a sobering assessment of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Tuesday, calling it only “a little bit successful” and vowing he wouldn’t lead such an effort again.In a candid interview on “The Katie Miller Podcast” – hosted by the former Trump administration official who briefly served as a DOGE advisor – Musk reflected on his five-month tenure leading the initiative. Launched in early 2025 as part of Trump’s second-term promise to slash federal bureaucracy, DOGE aimed to trim billions from the budget, reduce the workforce, and dismantle “wasteful” regulations through AI-driven reforms. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/tesla-chair-warns-musk-may-exit-if-1-trillion-pay-package-rejected/ “We were somewhat successful. We stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense, that was entirely wasteful,” Musk said, crediting the team with halting dubious expenditures. However, he lamented the personal and professional toll, including widespread vandalism of Tesla vehicles and a public rift with Trump over a controversial tax and spending bill that prompted Musk’s abrupt resignation in May.“I think instead of doing DOGE, I would have basically worked on my companies. And they wouldn’t have been burning the cars,” Musk quipped, alluding to the backlash that saw Tesla showrooms targeted and sales dip amid investor worries over his divided attention.Musk’s involvement stemmed from his massive financial backing of Trump’s 2024 campaign, where he emerged as a close confidant. Yet, the DOGE experiment – quietly shuttered last month, eight months shy of its 18-month charter – drew scrutiny for opaque accounting and unverified savings claims.The remarks, aired just days after a U.S. Government Accountability Office report exposed fraud in Obamacare applications – a issue Musk tied to DOGE’s mission – underscore the billionaire’s pivot back to SpaceX and Tesla amid ongoing political turbulence. As Trump eyes midterm adjustments, Musk’s exit signals fractures in their once-unshakable alliance.

BRUSSELS, Dec 9, 2025 (Reuters) – The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Alphabet’s Google over its use of publishers’ online content and YouTube videos to train its generative AI models, including those powering AI Overviews and the Gemini family.EU competition enforcers said preliminary findings suggest Google systematically scraped vast amounts of third-party web content and YouTube footage without offering publishers meaningful opt-out mechanisms or adequate compensation. The probe focuses on whether these practices distort competition in the digital publishing and AI markets and breach the bloc’s strict rules on fair trading.Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, stated: “Creators and publishers invest heavily to produce quality content. They must have a real choice and receive fair value when their work trains the world’s most powerful AI systems.”If Google is found to have abused its dominant position, it faces fines of up to 10% of its annual global turnover — potentially exceeding $30 billion based on 2024 figures — plus behavioral remedies such as mandatory licensing deals or full opt-out tools.The investigation is the EU’s fourth major antitrust case against Google in eight years and the first to directly targeting generative AI practices. Google responded: “We provide clear opt-out signals and have licensing agreements with many publishers. We will cooperate fully with the Commission.”

In a coordinated push to safeguard users from shadowy digital predators, Apple and Google have dispatched a fresh wave of cyber threat notifications to millions worldwide this week including Pakistanis. The alerts, targeting individuals potentially in the crosshairs of state-sponsored hackers, underscore the escalating battle against sophisticated surveillance operations. Apple (AAPL.O) and Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google, tech behemoths at the forefront of digital security, revealed the initiative as part of their ongoing commitment to user protection. “We believe you may be a target of a mercenary spyware attack,” reads a typical Apple message, urging iPhone and iPad owners to enable Lockdown Mode for enhanced defenses. Google’s parallel warnings focus on Android users, flagging risks from “government-backed actors” exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. This latest round extends to users in Pakistan and beyond, highlighting the borderless nature of cyber espionage. Experts attribute the surge to geopolitical tensions, with nation-states like those in the Middle East and Asia deploying Pegasus-like tools to monitor journalists, activists, and dissidents. “These notifications aren’t just alerts—they’re lifelines,” said cybersecurity analyst Dr. Lena Torres. While Apple and Google withhold specifics to avoid tipping off attackers, the move has prompted calls for stronger international regulations. As threats evolve, users are advised to update devices promptly and scrutinize suspicious links. In an era of invisible wars, Big Tech’s proactive stance offers a rare beacon of transparency.

CAIRO: Pakistan emerged as one of the standout exhibitors at Egypt’s EDEX 2025, the region’s premier defence expo, showcasing a new generation of low-cost, battle-proven drone and counter-drone systems that drew heavy footfall from African and Middle Eastern delegations. At the Pakistan Pavilion, state-owned Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) and private firms prominently displayed the Shahpar-II MALE UAV, Burraq armed drone, and the newly unveiled loitering munitions lineup. Most attention, however, centred on Pakistan’s electromagnetic rifle systems and AI-enabled counter-drone jammers, technologies proven effective against Houthi and TTP drone attacks along Pakistan’s western borders. Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) also signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Egypt’s Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) on the sidelines of EDEX 2025.The agreement aims to enhance defence-industrial cooperation, expand technology exchange, and explore joint development opportunities across advanced systems.This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening Pakistan–Egypt defence ties and boosting regional collaboration in high-tech capabilities. Senior Pakistani officials told reporters that “multiple African states” – including delegations from Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Sudan – held closed-door talks for potential licensed production and direct procurement of Pakistani kamikaze drones and electronic warfare suites. Industry sources said Pakistan is positioning itself as the budget-friendly alternative to Chinese and Turkish systems, offering full technology transfer and prices 30-40% lower.With Egypt pushing to become a regional defence manufacturing hub, Pakistani exhibitors also explored co-production opportunities under Cairo’s offset policy.

When global analysts discuss Africa’s economic future, the narrative often revolves around mega-infrastructure, mineral wealth, or rapid mobile-tech adoption. But a new force is steadily transforming the continent’s economic landscape, social enterprises. These mission-driven businesses are bridging gaps where traditional markets and governments fall short. From delivering essential services and creating dignified jobs to building climate resilience, social enterprises are emerging as a core pillar of Africa’s inclusive growth story. And now, for the first time, Africa has a clear roadmap to scale this impact. A Turning Point: Africa’s First 10-Year Strategy for Social and Solidarity Economy: In early 2025, African Union Heads of State adopted the continent’s first-ever 10-Year Strategy on the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). This landmark framework recognizes social enterprises, cooperatives, and community-based organizations as central to building resilient, people-centered economies. This comes at a crucial moment: • Global aid is declining• The youth population is surging• Climate shocks are intensifying Africa needs new economic actors and the social enterprise sector is stepping up. The Most Comprehensive Snapshot Yet: New Report Maps 2.18 Million Social Enterprises: A new flagship study, The State of Social Enterprise: Unlocking Inclusive Growth, Jobs and Development in Africa, provides the clearest view yet of Africa’s social enterprise ecosystem. Developed by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, World Economic Forum, African Union Commission, Africa Forward, Motsepe Foundation, SAP, and Genesis Analytics, the report surveyed 1,980 enterprises across five major economies: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Key Findings (SEO-rich, highly shareable data): • 2.18 million social enterprises operate across Africa• They generate $96 billion in annual revdata, 3.2% of Africa’s GDP• They support 12 million jobs• 55% are led by women far higher than the region’s commercial sector• 1 in 3 is led by founders under 35 These findings were unveiled during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa (2025), highlighting global recognition of Africa’s rapidly expanding impact economy. Real Enterprises, Real Impact: How Social Businesses Are Reshaping Communities: Babban Gona transforms rural livelihoods by offering smallholder farmers credit, training, inputs, and guaranteed crop offtake. • Over 744,000 indirect jobs created• Farmers earn twice the national income average• Nearly 1 million people benefit from increased livelihood security This hybrid social enterprise manufactures modular wheelchairs and reinvests revenue into community-based clinical training. • 21,000+ clients receive assistive devices annually• 347,000+ people reached through training and advocacy• Serves as technical adviser to WHO, USAID, and CHAI Sanergy delivers affordable sanitation while converting waste into regenerative agriculture inputs. • Daily access for 300,000+ residents• Network of 8,000 entrepreneurs• Supplies sustainable fertilizer to 10,000+ farmers• Independently assessed 19× social return on investment Despite Success, Social Enterprises Face Major Barriers: The report reveals three persistent challenges: Five Action Priorities to Scale Africa’s Impact Economy: To unlock the full potential of Africa’s social enterprises, the report proposes five strategic priorities: The Takeaway: Social Enterprises Could Define Africa’s Next Economic Chapter: Africa’s social enterprises are not fringe players, they are a major economic engine delivering jobs, revenue, and community-level impact. The numbers speak loudly:• 2.18 million enterprises• $96 billion in revenue• 12 million jobsBut the real story lies in the transformation of lives: farmers gaining stability, young innovators building digital futures, patients receiving life-changing care. With evidence in hand and a continental strategy in place, Africa now stands at a pivotal moment. Whether social enterprises remain marginal, or become central drivers of inclusive, sustainable growth, will depend on action from governments, investors, corporates, and development partners.The momentum is here. The opportunity is historic.Africa’s next economic chapter may very well be written by its social enterprises.

In a troubling reversal of decades of progress, a new Gates Foundation report warns that global mortality rates for children under five are expected to rise for the first time in the 21st century. The study highlights a sharp reduction in international development aid as the primary factor putting millions of young lives at risk. First Increase in Under-5 Deaths in Over Two Decades: After years of consistent improvements driven by healthcare investments, vaccines, and widespread social development, under-5 mortality had fallen dramatically from 88 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to roughly 36 per 1,000 in recent years. But this positive trajectory is now under threat. According to the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers Report, the figure is expected to rise to 37 per 1,000 live births in 2024. Last year, an estimated 4.6 million children died before turning five. This year, that number is projected to increase by over 200,000 additional deaths. Aid Cuts Could Lead to 12 Million Additional Child Deaths by 2045: Researchers say the alarming trend is closely linked to a significant decline in global health funding. Development assistance for health has fallen from $49 billion to $36 billion a drop of more than 25% in just one year. If these cuts continue, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) estimates that 12 million more children under five could die by 2045. Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, called the situation “tragic,” stressing that 25 years of global health gains now stand at risk. Low-Income Countries Hit the Hardest: The funding gap disproportionately impacts low-income countries across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where health systems heavily depend on external aid. Diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and complications from premature births remain leading causes of child mortality despite being largely preventable. Senior Director at IHME, emphasized that when aid declines, “low-income countries have the least ability to absorb the shock.” Past Funding Cuts Still Creating Ripple Effects: Analysts also point to earlier disruptions, including the dismantling of parts of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Trump administration. A separate study published in The Lancet predicts USAID reductions alone could lead to 14 million additional deaths over the next five years. UN Goals Now Out of Reach: The United Nations had set a goal to reduce under-5 mortality to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2030. The new projections suggest the world will remain stalled around 36 per 1,000, moving further off track from global health targets. Gates Foundation Calls for Urgent Action: Bill Gates warned that the world could become a generation that “had access to the most advanced science in human history but couldn’t secure funding to save lives.” The report emphasizes that smart spending and scalable innovation, such as single-dose vaccines, precision data tools, and lower-cost interventions are crucial to reversing current trends. “Immunization remains the best buy in global health,” the report states, noting that every $1 invested in vaccines generates $54 in economic returns for countries. A Critical Crossroads for Global Health: With nearly 13,000 children under five dying every day, researchers say the world is at a pivotal moment. They stress that many deaths are preventable and financial commitment must match scientific advancement to safeguard the next generation.

Shares in the newly independent Magnum Ice Cream Company opened weakly in Amsterdam on Monday, debuting at €12.8 apiece, below the €13 reference price set for the spinoff. The listing values the business at €7.84 billion ($9.14 billion), creating the world’s largest standalone ice cream company.The long-planned separation from Unilever, finalized today, ends decades of ownership by the Anglo-Dutch consumer giant. Unilever cited limited synergies between Magnum’s temperature-controlled supply chain and its broader portfolio of foods, soaps (Dove) and deodorants (Axe). The carve-out allows Unilever to streamline its operations while giving Magnum full autonomy.Magnum CEO Hein Schumacher (who remains Unilever CEO during the transition) said the standalone structure will make the company “more agile and focused,” enabling faster decisions and sharper innovation in a €120 billion global ice cream market.However, the new entity faces headwinds: intensifying anti-obesity regulation, consumer shifts toward healthier indulgence, and ongoing reputational challenges at subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s over political activism. Despite the soft debut, analysts believe pure-play ice cream companies can command premium valuations long-term if growth accelerates.Trading continues under ticker “MAGM.AS” on Euronext Amsterdam.

BEIJING: China’s exports surged 11.2% year-on-year in November, far exceeding analysts’ expectations of 8.5% growth, powered by a sharp acceleration in shipments to Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa as manufacturers rush to reroute trade ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House.Non-U.S. exports jumped 14–18% in key emerging markets, while shipments to the United States rose only 3.1%, the slowest pace in 18 months, underscoring successful diversification away from Washington’s threatened 60% tariffs.Imports, however, grew just 1.7% – well below the forecast 4.2% – signaling persistently weak domestic consumption and excess industrial capacity. The trade surplus swelled to a record $104.6 billion.Factory surveys released last week painted a cautious outlook: the Caixin Manufacturing PMI for export orders slipped to 49.8, with respondents citing rising protectionism and expected demand slowdown in 2026.Beijing has accelerated “China +1” strategies, with companies expanding plants in Vietnam, Mexico and Indonesia to retain low-tariff access to Western markets once higher U.S. duties take effect in 2025.Economists warn that while front-loading and rerouting cushioned 2024, global trade fragmentation will pose mounting challenges next year.

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH – The Thai military announced Monday that more than 35,000 civilians have been evacuated from four border districts and relocated to temporary shelters as tensions with Cambodia over disputed territory escalate once again.The evacuations affect communities in Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buriram, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces along the 817-kilometre frontier, parts of which remain undemarcated since the 1907 French colonial map drawn when Cambodia was under Paris’s rule.Military spokesmen described the move as “precautionary” amid heightened troop deployments on both sides. Local residents reported increased artillery and small-arms fire near the contested Preah Vihear temple area and other flashpoints in recent days.The century-old sovereignty dispute has triggered deadly clashes before, most notably a week-long exchange of rocket and artillery fire in 2011 that killed at least 18 people and displaced tens of thousands.Despite multiple rounds of bilateral talks and rulings by the International Court of Justice affirming Cambodian sovereignty over the Preah Vihear temple itself in 1962 and surrounding land in 2013, overlapping claims persist. Both governments insist they seek a peaceful resolution, yet neither has ruled out force to protect what each regards as national territory.

Los Angeles: In a seismic shift for the entertainment industry, Netflix announced Friday it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) film and television studios, along with its HBO Max streaming service, in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $82.7 billion (equity value of $72 billion). The move, which values WBD shares at $27.75 each, catapults Netflix into full vertical integration, blending its streaming dominance with Warner’s iconic franchises like “Game of Thrones,” “Harry Potter,” and DC superheroes Batman and Superman. The acquisition follows a fierce bidding war against rivals Paramount Skydance and Comcast, with Netflix emerging victorious by offering a $5.8 billion breakup fee to sweeten the pot. Under the terms, WBD shareholders will receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix stock per share. The deal hinges on WBD first spinning off its cable networks, including CNN, TNT, and TBS, into a separate public company by Q3 2026, with full closure expected in 12-18 months. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos hailed the merger as a “game-changer,” promising to preserve Warner’s theatrical release tradition while unlocking $2-3 billion in annual synergies. “This unites two storytelling powerhouses, delivering unmatched content to global audiences,” Sarandos said in a statement. WBD CEO David Zaslav echoed the excitement, noting it would “amplify our legacy in the streaming era.” Industry watchers predict ripple effects: enhanced leverage for Netflix in talent negotiations and potential mergers among smaller studios. However, theater chains and unions voiced concerns over market concentration, with the Directors Guild of America vowing to scrutinize antitrust implications. Shares of Netflix dipped 0.2% pre-market, while WBD surged 3%, trading below the offer price. As streaming wars evolve, this blockbuster union signals Hollywood’s pivot from legacy cables to digital empires, potentially redefining content creation and distribution worldwide.