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Musk’s Team Gains Access To Sensitive Federal Payment Systems, Sparking Controversy

In a move raising eyebrows across Washington, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been granted access to the federal payment system, which handles trillions of dollars in government funds annually, according to US media reports.

While DOGE is not an official agency but a team within the administration, sources suggest the group now has access to sensitive personal data of millions of Americans, raising concerns about privacy and oversight.

The situation reportedly led to a standoff at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), where two officials were placed on leave after resisting DOGE’s efforts to access critical government systems.

The White House and Treasury Department have yet to comment. Just days after President Donald Trump announced the formation of DOGE, the team has spread across federal agencies with the goal of slashing government spending.

Musk, who helped establish the team, has enlisted support from allies in Silicon Valley and his private companies. This has created turbulence at agencies like the Treasury Department and USAID—two entities Musk has criticized on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), Musk called USAID “evil” and accused Treasury officials of “breaking the law every hour of every day,” further stoking controversy.

The Treasury division involved in these changes handles critical federal payments, including Social Security, government salaries, and money allocated by Congress—totaling nearly $6 trillion.

The controversy also extends to USAID, which distributes billions in aid. The agency’s website went offline, and its X account appears to have been deactivated. Reports claim DOGE members sought access to a classified facility, a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility).

Meanwhile, the broader federal workforce faces changes under Trump’s administration. Executive orders have sparked confusion, with employees receiving instructions to report colleagues allegedly disguising diversity efforts and encouraged to take paid resignations, leading to unease.

In response, many agencies, including the CDC, have removed references to diversity and inclusion and LGBTQ+ content from their websites, resulting in broken links, including those on LGBTQ+ health and mpox vaccines. While supporters argue diversity programs address historical inequalities, critics claim they can create new forms of discrimination, intensifying the debate.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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