September 10, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: International

Al Jazeera Reporters Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza City Journalist Tent; Israel Labels Targeted Correspondent a Hamas “Terrorist”

Al Jazeera has announced that two of its correspondents, including a prominent reporter, and three cameramen were killed in an Israeli strike on their tent in Gaza City on Sunday (August 10, 2025). The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted Anas al-Sharif, a well-known Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent, labelling him a “terrorist” affiliated with Hamas. According to the Qatar-based broadcaster, al-Sharif, 28, was killed alongside four colleagues—reporter Mohammed Qreiqeh and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, Mohammed Noufal, and Moamen Aliwa—when a tent for journalists outside the main gate of a hospital was hit. Al-Sharif was widely recognised for his extensive coverage from northern Gaza and had been one of the network’s most familiar on-the-ground faces. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement claiming that al-Sharif headed a Hamas terrorist cell and was responsible for organising rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. “A short while ago, in Gaza City, the IDF struck the terrorist Anas Al-Sharif, who posed as a journalist for the Al Jazeera network,” the statement said. Hours before his death, al-Sharif had posted on X about “intense, concentrated Israeli bombardment” in Gaza City, sharing a video showing nearby strikes. In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had called for his protection after the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson accused him online of being a Hamas member. Following the strike, CPJ said it was “appalled” by the deaths, accusing Israel of a pattern of labelling journalists as militants without credible evidence. The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the attack as a “bloody crime” and an assassination. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted that over 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began 22 months ago, many of them Palestinian reporters on whom international media depend due to Gaza’s closure. Relations between Israel and Al Jazeera have long been tense, with Israeli authorities banning the channel in the country and raiding its offices during the ongoing conflict. Qatar, which funds Al Jazeera, has also hosted Hamas’s political leadership and facilitated indirect talks with Israel. The killings come as Israel announced plans to expand its ground operations in Gaza, targeting remaining Hamas strongholds. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the new offensive in a press conference on Sunday and pledged to allow more foreign journalists to report from inside Gaza with military oversight. At the UN Security Council, Assistant Secretary General Miroslav Jenca warned that Israel’s plans to control Gaza City could trigger “another calamity,” leading to further displacement, killings, and destruction across the region.

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Editor04 mins

Ousmane Dembélé and Lamine Yamal Among Favourites as 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees Revealed

The race for the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or is officially on, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal emerging as frontrunners. Dembélé was instrumental in PSG’s historic first-ever UEFA Champions League triumph last season, delivering decisive performances on the biggest stage. Yamal, just 18 years old, has dazzled for both Barcelona and Spain, drawing inevitable comparisons to Lionel Messi for his creativity and composure. Notably, last year’s winner Rodri is absent from the shortlist after a serious knee injury sidelined him for most of Manchester City’s campaign, returning only in the penultimate league game. PSG’s dominance is reflected in the nominations, with eight of Dembélé’s teammates also making the list, including Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Despite this, the Premier League boasts the highest number of nominees, with stars like Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, and Declan Rice in contention. This summer’s big transfers are also represented, as Viktor Gyökeres (now at Arsenal) and Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) join the lineup. LaLiga remains strong with eight nominees, featuring Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior. Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay also earned a surprise spot after inspiring Napoli to a Serie A title. Full List of 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or Nominees:Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Désiré Doué, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Viktor Gyökeres, Erling Haaland, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martínez, Kylian Mbappé, Scott McTominay, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Michael Olise, Cole Palmer, Pedri, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabián Ruiz, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Vinícius Júnior, Vitinha, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal.

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Editor03 mins

Netanyahu’s Full Gaza Takeover Plan Gets Security Cabinet Approval Amid Hostage, Humanitarian Concerns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to take full control of Gaza — a territory Israel already occupies roughly three-quarters of — has received backing from the country’s security cabinet, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The plan aims to “ensure our security” by eliminating Hamas and eventually handing governance to Arab forces that would not threaten Israel. Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said Israel does not intend to directly govern Gaza, but wants to remove Hamas, replace its administration, and provide Gazans “a good life.” The PMO also announced plans to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians outside combat zones. Hamas condemned the move as a coup, accusing Netanyahu of escalating the conflict for personal and ideological reasons, and of putting the remaining hostages at risk. Around 50 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, in which over 250 people were captured. The proposal comes amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. UN agencies have warned of famine, while food aid distribution sites have repeatedly come under attack. Gaza officials say Israeli forces have opened fire on crowds seeking aid since May, when a full blockade lasting over two months was partially lifted. Hundreds have reportedly been killed in recent weeks while trying to reach health ministry aid points. Notably, Netanyahu’s own military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, opposes the plan, warning that a complete takeover could endanger the hostages and escalate risks in the already devastated territory. Families of the remaining captives have also voiced fears that such a move could further imperil their loved ones.

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Editor03 mins

Moody’s Warns US Tariffs Could Undermine India’s ‘Make in India’ Push

Moody’s Ratings has cautioned that US President Donald Trump’s steep new tariffs on Indian goods could deal a significant blow to New Delhi’s manufacturing ambitions and slow economic growth. On August 6, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% “penalty” tariff on Indian imports in response to the country’s continued purchases of Russian crude oil, despite Western sanctions. This new levy, on top of the earlier 25% reciprocal tariff, raises the total tariff rate on Indian exports to the US — India’s largest export market — to 50%, far higher than the 15–20% duties faced by most Asia-Pacific nations. According to Moody’s, the higher tariffs could trim India’s real GDP growth by around 0.3 percentage points from the current FY2025–26 forecast of 6.3%. Beyond the immediate impact, the ratings agency warned that the sharp tariff gap could “severely curtail” India’s ambitions to grow its manufacturing sector, particularly in high-value segments such as electronics, and might even reverse some recent investment gains. However, Moody’s noted that India’s resilient domestic demand and robust services sector will help cushion some of the economic strain. Still, it stressed that if India maintains its Russian oil imports despite the tariff penalty, the drag on growth will persist. The tariff hike comes as part of Trump’s broader trade push, which from August 8 has raised import taxes on goods from more than 60 countries and the EU, with rates ranging from 10% to 20% for other Asia-Pacific economies, and 15% for imports from the EU, Japan, and South Korea. Trump claims the tariffs will drive unprecedented US growth and manufacturing investment, though economists warn of emerging signs of strain in the American economy.

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Editor03 mins

Curiosity Rover Spots Coral-Like Rock Formation in Mars’ Gale Crater

At first glance, it could be mistaken for coral from the ocean floor — but this intricate object rests not beneath the sea, but in the dusty expanse of Mars’ Gale Crater. NASA’s Curiosity rover captured the striking image on July 24, revealing a delicate, branching structure just 2.5 centimeters wide. While its appearance mimics marine life, scientists confirm it is actually a wind-eroded fragment of rock. Using the rover’s Remote Micro Imager, researchers were able to study its intricate details. NASA explains that ancient Mars once hosted flowing water, which transported minerals into cracks in the planet’s rocks. Over time, these minerals solidified into veins. Billions of years later, relentless Martian winds stripped away the surrounding material, leaving behind these coral-like patterns — a natural sculpture shaped by both water and wind over eons.

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Editor01 mins

Common Non-Antibiotic Drugs Found to Disrupt Gut Microbiome, Raise Infection Risk

Antibiotics are well known for their impact on the gut microbiome, but new research from Yale University shows that some non-antibiotic prescription drugs can also alter gut bacteria and increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) infections. The study, published in Nature, identified several widely used medications that disrupt the balance of gut microbes. In at least one case, the disruption triggered mice to produce antimicrobial agents that attacked their own gut bacteria. This suggests that the microbiome may help explain why some patients respond well to certain drugs while others do not—and could be a future target for improving drug efficacy. A weakened microbiome reduces “colonisation resistance,” making it harder for beneficial gut microbes to defend against harmful pathogens. To investigate this link, researchers examined over a decade of medical records and pharmacy claims from one million anonymized individuals under universal health insurance in Montreal, Canada. They found that some prescription drugs increased infection risk to the same extent as antibiotics. From this analysis, 21 drugs were selected for further study in mice. Faecal samples taken before and after treatment revealed that about half of these drugs altered the microbiome’s composition. Four in particular—heart medication digoxin, anti-seizure/anti-anxiety drug clonazepam, stomach acid reducer pantoprazole, and antipsychotic quetiapine—were linked to a significantly higher infection risk after pathogen exposure. According to lead author Andrew Goodman, Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis at Yale School of Medicine, the findings highlight the need to consider microbiome health when prescribing not just antibiotics, but a broad range of common medications.

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Editor03 mins

Rupee Set to Open Higher as Traders Unwind Dollar Bets After RBI Intervention

The Indian rupee is expected to open stronger on Friday, with the 1-month non-deliverable forward (NDF) market indicating a range of 87.48–87.52 per U.S. dollar, compared to Thursday’s close of 87.7025. The move follows a sharp rally in the rupee during offshore trading hours, as traders unwound short positions after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) defended a key exchange rate level. The NDF market saw the 1-month USD/INR drop nearly 30 paisa within half an hour after local markets closed at 3:30 p.m. IST, and the decline held through the U.S. session. Despite the announcement of additional U.S. tariffs on Indian goods by President Donald Trump, the rupee traded in a narrow range during Thursday’s onshore session and posted modest gains — a reaction that traders attributed to RBI support. Market participants suggested that the central bank has been actively intervening in the NDF market to prevent USD/INR from breaching the 87.95 mark. This defence, coupled with a recovery in Indian equities, likely prompted a wave of position unwinding by traders holding long dollar bets. A Singapore-based portfolio manager noted that “weak hands probably decided to exit.” Indian stock indices erased intraday losses to end flat on Thursday, with analysts pointing to news of a planned U.S.-Russia presidential meeting as a possible catalyst. However, foreign investors remained net sellers, offloading around $600 million worth of shares according to preliminary exchange data. Across Asia, most regional currencies edged lower, while the dollar index was little changed and on course for a weekly decline. Brent crude futures were steady at $66.4 per barrel, and the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield stood at 4.25%. Key Indicators:

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Editor03 mins

Weapons Review: Zach Cregger’s Unhinged, Unpredictable Horror Fever Dream

What if Zach Cregger’s Barbarian grew up, dabbled in ayahuasca (read: black magic), and decided to confront generational trauma through a chaotic blend of dread, gore, and midnight madness? That’s Weapons—Cregger’s most ambitious, genre-bending horror mystery yet, as unsettling as it is unexpectedly fun. The film opens with one of the eeriest sequences in recent memory: seventeen kids vanish into the night at exactly 2:17 AM, running into darkness with no clear guide. Only one, Alex, is left behind. As George Harrison’s Beware of Darkness plays, the tone is set—ominous and unshakable. From there, Weapons unravels into a disturbing fever dream, told in shifting chapters that leap between perspectives, bend timelines, and keep nerves on edge. Cregger avoids easy answers, instead twisting your stomach into knots while forcing your mind to catch up. The screenplay masterfully balances dialogue-heavy tension, bursts of sudden violence (brace yourself for the “peeler” scene), and darkly comic detours without losing focus. The cast is uniformly excellent. Julia Garner anchors the chaos with a performance that’s both feral and fragile. Josh Brolin delivers weight and menace as a grieving father you never fully trust. Alden Ehrenreich is jittery, unpredictable fun, and Amy Madigan nearly steals the spotlight with a grotesque yet hilarious turn in the final act. Visually, it’s a moody treat—when visible. Some sequences are lit like a haunted house during a power outage, which heightens the dread but occasionally frustrates. Still, Larkin Seiple’s cinematography lands when it counts, and Ryan and Hays Holladay’s score deepens the film’s hypnotic unease. Thematically, Weapons swings big—mob paranoia, blame culture, and the loss of childhood innocence to adult dysfunction. Not every thread ties up neatly, but the final 30 minutes deliver a delirious, blood-soaked climax that rewards the ride. Even when certain chapters meander, the tension never fully loosens. It’s a horror film where the feeling of “something’s coming” hangs thick, and when it finally does—BAM—it hits hard. In less capable hands, Weapons could have been a chaotic mess. Instead, it’s a confident, stylish, deranged horror story that confirms Cregger as one of the most daring voices in the genre today. Grotesque, unpredictable, darkly funny, and unafraid to push boundaries—this is horror at its most deliciously unhinged. Weapons hits theatres August 8, 2025.

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Editor04 mins

Apple’s iPhone 17 Series Expected to Launch in Early September with Major Upgrades

August 8, 2025 – Apple is preparing to unveil its next-generation premium smartphone lineup, the iPhone 17 series, in early September. While the official date has yet to be confirmed, reports suggest the launch event could take place on either September 3 or September 9, both falling on a Tuesday—Apple’s traditional launch day. The upcoming lineup is expected to include four models: 🔧 Performance & Chipsets 📸 Camera Upgrades 🧱 Design and Build 💵 Expected Pricing Model Price (India) Price (US) Price (UAE) iPhone 17 Pro ₹1,45,990 $1,199 AED 4,403 iPhone 17 Pro Max ₹1,64,990 $1,499 AED 5,299 According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the phones are expected to go on sale between September 8 and 10, 2025.

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Editor03 mins

Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Computer Chips, Spares U.S. Manufacturers

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration will impose a 100% tariff on imported computer chips and semiconductors, a move that could sharply increase the cost of electronics, automobiles, appliances, and other digital-era essentials. Speaking from the Oval Office alongside Apple CEO Tim Cook, Trump emphasized that companies manufacturing chips within the United States will be exempt from the steep import taxes. “We will be putting a tariff of approximately 100% on chips and semiconductors,” the President said. “But if you are building in the United States of America, there is no charge.” The tariff declaration comes three months after Trump had temporarily exempted most electronics from his administration’s highest tariffs. The new announcement represents a significant shift, marking a departure from the subsidy-based approach taken under former President Joe Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act. Big Tech Boosts U.S. Investments The announcement was met with cautious optimism by Wall Street, particularly due to the expected exemptions for companies committed to U.S.-based manufacturing. Apple’s stock surged 5% during regular trading on Wednesday, with an additional 3% gain in after-hours trading. The surge follows Apple’s pledge to invest $600 billion more in the U.S., adding to its earlier $500 billion commitment from February. AI chip giant Nvidia, which has also significantly increased its U.S. footprint, saw its stock tick up in extended trading. Nvidia has gained over $1 trillion in market value since Trump returned to office. Shares of chipmaking veteran Intel, which has struggled in recent years, also saw gains. Though companies like Apple and Nvidia may benefit from tariff exemptions, the broader implications for global electronics pricing and supply chains remain uncertain. Tariffs vs. Incentives: A Strategic Shift Trump’s aggressive use of tariffs represents a clear policy shift from the incentive-driven CHIPS and Science Act introduced under Biden in 2022, which allocated over $50 billion to build domestic semiconductor capacity, fund research, and support workforce development. Instead of financial support, Trump is opting for a punitive strategy, aiming to pressure corporations to manufacture within the U.S. by dramatically raising the cost of imported chips. “The only thing that can stop America’s greatness would be a radical left court that wants to see our country fail,” Trump wrote on social media, referencing an ongoing legal challenge to his tariff authority. Despite the president’s optimism, critics warn that the tariffs could backfire by raising consumer prices and squeezing company profits. Many essential goods—from smartphones to refrigerators—depend on semiconductors sourced from abroad, especially from Asian markets like Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Global Tensions and Trade Reactions India and China are likely to be among the countries hardest hit. India, already facing a 25% tariff hike over its Russian oil imports, could now see its tech exports also impacted unless a resolution is reached within the 21-day window given by Trump. Other nations are scrambling to respond. Switzerland is holding an emergency cabinet meeting after being blindsided by a 39% chip tariff. Trade talks with Washington have intensified across multiple capitals as countries look to avert disruptions to exports and global supply chains. Meanwhile, the Semiconductor Industry Association declined to comment on the latest tariffs. Inquiries to Nvidia and Intel also went unanswered. According to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), global demand for semiconductors continues to surge, with sales increasing 19.6% in the year ending June 2025. What Comes Next? Whether this hardline strategy will succeed in boosting domestic chip production or strain the global tech ecosystem remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Trump is doubling down on tariffs as his administration’s primary tool to reshape American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains. With new iPhone models expected to be unveiled next month, all eyes are now on whether Apple and other tech giants can shield their products from rising costs—or whether American consumers will foot the bill.

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Editor06 mins
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