September 10, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: International

Samsung India Workers’ Union Announces Protests Over Alleged Anti-Labour Practices

The Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU), supported by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), has called for a series of protests to condemn what they describe as anti-labour practices by Samsung India’s management. The union alleges that the company has been offering salary hikes only to employees who sign agreements facilitated by a management-backed group, while excluding other workers from these benefits. During a union meeting held on Sunday, it was decided to escalate the protest, with a one-day hunger strike scheduled for May 13. Following this, on May 14, workers will hold a rally in Kancheepuram, where they will wear black badges and appeal to the District Collector for intervention in the matter. Further actions include a demonstration on May 16 in front of the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health in Guindy, where the union will press for action against alleged illegal production activities at the Samsung facility. On May 19, a mass petition will be submitted to the South Korean Embassy, urging diplomatic intervention to address repeated violations of Indian labour laws and trade union rights. Additionally, the union plans to lodge a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, citing alleged human rights abuses against workers at the company’s manufacturing plant. E. Muthukumar, SIWU president and CITU Kancheepuram district secretary, has called for direct negotiations between the union and Samsung India’s management, specifically regarding demands for wage revisions and other issues. He also demanded the immediate revocation of suspensions for 25 union office-bearers and members, along with the withdrawal of any retaliatory actions. Muthukumar has urged both the state government and the labour department to take strong actions to resolve the ongoing dispute.

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Editor03 mins

Putin Reaffirms Russia’s Support for a “Fair” Nuclear Deal Between the U.S. and Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s commitment to facilitating a “fair” nuclear deal between the United States and Iran during a call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 6, 2025. According to a Kremlin readout, Putin confirmed that Russia is ready to contribute to advancing discussions aimed at reaching an agreement based on international law principles. The call comes as talks between Tehran and Washington face delays, with the latest round of negotiations, initially scheduled for May 3, 2025, postponed due to “logistical reasons” according to Oman, the mediator. Since April 12, the two countries have held three rounds of dialogue, marking their highest-level interactions since the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal under Donald Trump’s presidency in 2018. Russia, which has strengthened its military and diplomatic ties with Iran following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has increasingly positioned itself as a key ally of Tehran, especially as both nations face heavy Western sanctions. The two countries solidified their partnership earlier this year, signing a strategic agreement. In a recent gesture of support, Moscow sent two planes to help extinguish a fire following a deadly explosion in Iran’s largest commercial port. Russia has consistently expressed its willingness to help broker a diplomatic resolution to the stand-off between the U.S. and Iran, offering its role as a mediator in ongoing negotiations.

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Editor02 mins

Water Crisis Threatens Rawalpindi and Islamabad as Khanpur Dam Levels Plummet

A looming water crisis has emerged in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as the Khanpur Dam‘s water level has dropped significantly, with current supplies only expected to last for the next 35 days, according to Dawn. The situation is exacerbated by the appearance of rocks and mounds in the reservoir, particularly around the main storage zone and spillways, highlighting the severe impact of climate change and a rapidly declining water table. Dam authorities have expressed growing concern, noting that if substantial rainfall does not occur within the next 10 to 15 days, the water levels could drop further, potentially reaching the dead level of the dam. Insufficient rainfall in the catchment areas, including the Margalla Hills and Galiyat, has worsened the situation, as these areas typically contribute to the reservoir’s water levels. As of Tuesday, the dam’s water level stood at 1,935 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), just 25 feet above the dead level of 1,910 AMSL. The dry spell, combined with the depletion of natural springs, has resulted in a sharply reduced water inflow, which was recorded at just 82 cusecs compared to an outflow of 235 cusecs per day. To manage the crisis, authorities are considering halting the irrigation water supply to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa starting next week. Additionally, the provision of drinking water to Rawalpindi and Islamabad may also be cut back. Currently, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) receives 90 cusecs per day, while smaller civic bodies like UET Taxila get 6.18 cusecs, and the irrigation department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab receive 48 cusecs and 42 cusecs, respectively. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has emphasized the need for immediate rainfall to avert further deterioration of the situation and prevent more severe water shortages for the two cities and surrounding areas.

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Editor03 mins

Pakistan Open to De-Escalation Amid Rising Tensions After Indian Strikes

In the aftermath of India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has signaled a possible de-escalation—if India steps back. Speaking to Bloomberg Television, Asif stated: “We’ll never initiate anything hostile towards India. But if we’re attacked, we’ll respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension.” Key Points from Khawaja Asif’s Statement: Background: India launched precision missile strikes in the early hours of Wednesday as part of Operation Sindoor, destroying terrorist infrastructure allegedly linked to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The Indian government accused Pakistan-based groups of orchestrating the massacre. While India framed the operation as a preemptive and targeted counter-terrorism measure, Pakistan now faces the pressure of balancing international diplomacy with domestic political and military posturing. This marks a pivotal moment where both nations are treading a fine line between escalation and restraint.

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Trump Claims India to Drop Tariffs to Zero, Credits Himself for Breakthrough in Trade Talks

On Tuesday, May 6, former U.S. President Donald Trump made a striking claim that India has agreed to reduce its tariffs to zero, attributing the breakthrough solely to his administration’s efforts. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated, “They’ve already agreed. They would have never done that for anybody else but me,” emphasizing what he called a personal diplomatic success. Highlighting India’s historically high tariff structure, Trump asserted, “India, as an example, has one of the highest tariffs in the world… and they’ve agreed already to drop it. They’ll drop it to nothing.” He presented the move as a direct outcome of his tough stance in trade negotiations. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian government on Trump’s claims. Indian officials have so far remained silent, and no formal documentation or joint statement has supported Trump’s remarks. Adding context to the statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last month said that the Trump administration was “very close” to finalizing a trade agreement with India. He pointed out that India was comparatively easier to negotiate with, given its high tariff levels. Bessent also referenced the visit of Vice President Vance to India, suggesting progress had been made during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trade relationship between the two nations has experienced multiple highs and lows under Trump’s leadership. Notably, on April 2, Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, part of a broader strategy during his global trade war. However, the tariff was suspended for 90 days, providing a temporary reprieve to nations affected by the escalating trade tensions. While Trump’s bold claim on tariff reduction adds a new twist to the ongoing U.S.-India trade narrative, observers await official confirmation from New Delhi to assess the veracity and implications of this potential development.

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Editor03 mins

Inter Milan Triumphs in Epic Champions League Semifinal Against Barcelona

Inter Milan secured a dramatic Champions League final spot with a 4-3 victory over Barcelona in the second leg of their semifinal, clinching a 7-6 aggregate win in a breathtaking match that will be remembered for years. Substitute Davide Frattesi scored the extra-time winner, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer produced a series of world-class saves to help his team advance. The victory sent Inter into the Munich final, where they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal, who play on Wednesday. The match was a story of two halves. Inter controlled the first half, taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Lautaro Martinez (21st minute) and Hakan Calhanoglu (penalty in the 45th minute). However, Barcelona fought back in the second half, with Eric Garcia (50th minute) and Dani Olmo (56th minute) scoring to level the tie. Inter goalkeeper Sommer kept his team alive with vital saves, but in the 87th minute, Raphinha thought he had secured the win for Barcelona with a close-range strike. In a dramatic turn of events, Francesco Acerbi salvaged Inter’s hopes, scoring a stunning equalizer deep in added time with a first-time effort following a ball from Denzel Dumfries, forcing the match into extra time. In the 99th minute, Marcus Thuram provided an assist for Frattesi, who calmly curled a shot into the bottom corner to seal the victory for Inter. Barcelona’s hope for a treble ended in heartbreak, but they now shift their focus to La Liga, where they face Real Madrid on Sunday. As for Inter, they are one step away from their fourth Champions League title and will look to make up for their loss to Manchester City in the 2023 final. Frattesi, emotional after the win, said, “It’s incredible, I don’t know what to say. Tonight, the incredible happened.”

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Editor03 mins

Microsoft Shuts Down Skype After 21 Years, Urges Users to Shift to Teams

After more than two decades of revolutionizing online communication, Microsoft has officially shut down Skype as of May 2025, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant audio-video calling platform. At its peak, Skype was used by over 300 million people worldwide and became synonymous with cross-border video communication. Microsoft had acquired the platform in 2011, as reported by The Washington Post. The retirement affects both free and paid Skype users, though Skype for Business will remain unaffected. Microsoft is encouraging all Skype users to transition to Microsoft Teams Free, which the company says offers the same core functions along with enhanced collaboration tools. The decision, though long-anticipated, has struck a nostalgic chord with many who relied on Skype to stay connected with loved ones and conduct international business. The platform’s decline over the years was attributed to stiff competition from video calling features on apps by Meta and Google, as well as the rise of Zoom, which gained massive popularity for offering smooth group conferencing. In a blog post, Microsoft assured users that Skype contacts and chat histories would be automatically transferred to Teams Free. Users can sign in using their Skype credentials, and also have the option to export or delete their data. As Skype bows out, Microsoft’s focus clearly shifts to Teams, which has become central to its communication and productivity ecosystem.

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Editor02 mins

Tensions Escalate as Russia and Ukraine Exchange Deadly Strikes Ahead of Proposed Ceasefire

Overnight strikes between Russia and Ukraine have left at least seven people dead, with violence continuing just days before a proposed ceasefire. Ukrainian officials reported that three civilians were killed and seven injured in Sumy region due to Russian air-dropped bombs, mortars, and rockets targeting villages like Vorozhba and Bilopillia. Emergency evacuations were conducted in the area. Meanwhile, Russian authorities stated that three people were also killed in Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes on Russia’s Kursk region. Ukraine confirmed that some of its forces remain active within Kursk, where it initiated a surprise incursion in August 2024 to protect the Sumy border and gain leverage in future negotiations. Further casualties occurred in the south, where a drone attack on Odesa killed one person, and in Kharkiv, where four were injured by Shahed drone strikes. These incidents underscore the fragility of ceasefire efforts amid escalating hostilities. Amid the violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains open to a longer truce. Speaking during his visit to Prague, he reaffirmed Ukraine’s acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US in March. Zelensky emphasized that such a ceasefire “could start even today” to allow diplomacy to work. However, he dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unilateral three-day ceasefire proposal from May 8–11 as a “theatrical show,” arguing it was too short to make a meaningful impact. This comes as Russia prepares for Victory Day celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat. The Red Square military parade is traditionally a major display of Kremlin military power. But security concerns prompted Zelensky to warn that he cannot guarantee the safety of foreign dignitaries planning to attend. The war, now in its third year, continues to inflict staggering losses. According to the Russian Service and Mediazona, at least 45,287 Russian soldiers died in 2024, making it the deadliest year for Russian forces since the full-scale invasion began. Analysts estimate that Russia lost 27 soldiers for every square kilometre gained. Names of over 106,000 Russian casualties have been documented, though experts believe this may account for only 45–65% of total deaths. Despite brief ceasefires during Easter and other holidays, both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violations, and no lasting peace appears imminent. As the 72-hour Russian ceasefire nears, skepticism remains high, especially from Kyiv, which sees such gestures as symbolic rather than substantive.

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Editor04 mins

Trump Proposes Rebuilding Alcatraz to “House America’s Most Ruthless”

Former President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he has directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons, along with the Department of Justice, FBI and Homeland Security, to “rebuild and open Alcatraz” as a maximum‑security facility for the nation’s most violent offenders. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump lamented that in “times past” the U.S. “did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm.” Alcatraz Island, famous for once incarcerating notorious gangsters such as Al Capone, served as a federal penitentiary from 1934 until its closure in 1963. Since then, it has operated as a popular national recreation area managed by the National Park Service, drawing over a million visitors each year. Trump’s proposal envisions a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” prison complex, though he offered no details on budget, timeline or legal authority. Speaking to reporters upon returning to the White House from Florida, Trump downplayed the logistical hurdles, describing the plan as “just an idea I’ve had” that he decided to act on. In reality, reopening Alcatraz would require extensive environmental reviews, congressional approval for funding, and complex coordination between multiple federal agencies—none of which have indicated support for the project. Critics argue the proposal is largely symbolic, pointing out that modern corrections policy favors rehabilitation over isolation, and that upgrading existing facilities would be far more cost‑effective. Nonetheless, Trump’s call taps into a long‑standing political narrative around “tough on crime” rhetoric, and it remains to be seen if any serious steps will follow beyond his Truth Social announcement.

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