September 10, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: International

Australian Scientists Grow World’s First Lab-Made Human Skin With Blood Supply

In a groundbreaking medical breakthrough, scientists at the University of Queensland have successfully grown the world’s first fully functioning lab-made human skin with its own blood supply. The achievement is expected to revolutionize treatments for burns, grafts, and chronic skin diseases. The research team, led by Dr. Abbas Shafiee from UQ’s Frazer Institute, used stem cells to engineer a 3D skin model that mimics real human skin more closely than any existing lab-grown versions. The artificial skin includes blood vessels, capillaries, hair follicles, nerves, pigmentation, immune cells, and layered tissues. “This is the most life-like skin model that’s been developed anywhere in the world and will allow us to study diseases and test treatments more accurately,” Dr. Shafiee said. “Until now, scientists were limited in how we could study skin diseases or trial new therapies, but this model changes that.” How the Breakthrough Was Achieved The resulting skin displayed natural characteristics, including hair follicles, pigmentation, nerve endings, and most importantly, a self-sustaining blood supply. Six Years in the Making The project took six years to develop and has been published in Wiley Advanced Healthcare Materials. Co-author Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani emphasized its potential impact: “Skin disorders can be difficult to treat, and it’s a real breakthrough to provide hope for people living with chronic conditions such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and scleroderma.” Future Applications The lab-made skin could improve: This pioneering step in regenerative medicine may bring science closer to providing customized skin grafts and more effective therapies, offering new hope to millions worldwide.

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Databricks Valuation Set to Soar Past $100 Billion in New Funding Round

San Francisco-based Databricks said on Tuesday its valuation is poised to climb 61% to over $100 billion in a fresh funding round, less than a year after its last raise—highlighting strong investor appetite for artificial intelligence startups. The company has signed a term sheet for a Series K round worth over $1 billion, led by existing backers including Thrive Capital, Insight Partners, and Andreessen Horowitz, according to a person familiar with the deal. If completed, Databricks would rank among the world’s most valuable AI firms. The firm expects to hit $3.7 billion in annualized revenue by July, marking 50% year-on-year growth, and turned cash-flow positive in January. CEO Ali Ghodsi said investor interest surged after Figma’s $1.22 billion IPO in July. “We’re seeing a revolution in IT where companies move from buying software to building their own internal applications,” he noted. Databricks plans to channel the new capital into expanding its Lakehouse data warehouse product and developing AI agents—software systems that can autonomously perform tasks. The company’s acquisition of Neon has already generated tens of millions in annualized revenue since June. With a customer base of about 15,000 companies—including payments giant Block—Databricks is considered one of the strongest candidates for a future public listing.

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India, China Take First Big Steps Towards Resetting Ties; Expert Group to Work on Border Settlement

In a significant move to reset the trajectory of bilateral relations, India and China have agreed to work towards a settlement of the boundary question by setting up an expert group to explore early solutions on boundary delimitation. The decision came after a series of high-level meetings involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both sides have also decided to resume direct flights at the earliest, expand the Indian pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, and reopen border trade through the three designated trading points — Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La, and Nathu La. Progress on Border Dialogue Doval and Wang, serving as Special Representatives on the Boundary Question, held the 24th round of SR Talks. Both leaders noted that peace and tranquillity had been maintained since the 23rd round and reaffirmed the importance of stability along the border to strengthen bilateral ties. The two sides agreed to seek a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework” for boundary settlement in line with the 2005 Agreement on Political Parameters and Guiding Principles. The newly established expert group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) will explore “early harvest” outcomes in boundary delimitation. Additionally, both sides agreed to create General Level Mechanisms in the Eastern and Middle Sectors, complementing the existing structure in the Western Sector, to further aid in de-escalation and border management. Diplomatic & Economic Engagements China has welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s participation at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin. India, in turn, reaffirmed full support to China’s SCO Presidency and agreed to enhance cooperation on future diplomatic events, including the 2026 BRICS Summit in India and the 2027 Summit in China. On the economic front, both sides committed to facilitating trade and investment flows and ensuring smoother cross-border interactions. A Thaw After Tensions Relations between India and China had hit a low following the 2020 Galwan clash and prolonged standoff in Ladakh. The recent developments mark a clear thaw, coinciding with escalating global trade tensions following US President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on India and China. The latest measures highlight a broader intent from both nations to adopt a practical, forward-looking approach, balancing security concerns with economic and cultural engagement.

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Angelina Jolie Plans Move Abroad After Youngest Children Turn 18

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is reportedly preparing to leave the United States and settle overseas once her youngest children, twins Knox and Vivienne, turn 18 next year. According to People, the actress is exploring “several locations abroad” and is expected to put her Los Angeles residence on the market soon. Jolie has lived in the historic Cecil B. DeMille estate in Los Feliz since 2017, when she purchased the 11,000-square-foot mansion for $24.5 million. The property boasts six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Limited By Custody Agreement Jolie has often spoken about her desire to live abroad. However, due to her custody arrangement with former husband Brad Pitt, she was required to remain in Los Angeles. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she admitted that her stay in the city was purely circumstantial: “I never wanted to live in L.A. full time. I have to be here because of a divorce.” With the custody restrictions easing as her children grow older, Jolie is now ready to make a permanent move. She has previously explained that she values the “humanity” and cultural experiences she found abroad—qualities she feels Los Angeles cannot offer her family. Part of a Growing Trend Among Celebrities Jolie’s decision comes amid a trend of Hollywood stars relocating overseas, particularly following Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel recently obtained Italian citizenship, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi moved to England’s Cotswolds in 2024, while Rosie O’Donnell shifted to Ireland. Actor Richard Gere also announced plans to move to Spain. Upcoming Work On the professional front, Jolie is set to reunite with director Doug Liman—with whom she worked on Mr. & Mrs. Smith—for his upcoming spy thriller, The Initiative.

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Editor03 mins

India, China Move Towards Border Resolution With Step-by-Step Approach

New Delhi/Beijing — India and China have achieved a significant breakthrough on boundary resolution, agreeing to begin delimiting less contentious portions of their border as part of a structured, step-by-step process that could eventually lead to permanent demarcation. The forward movement came during the 24th round of India-China Special Representative talks on Tuesday between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Though both sides are guarded about details, officials confirmed that the three border sectors have been identified for delimitation first, beginning with areas that witness minimal friction. The plan involves four phases: formation of a technical expert group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC), identification of relatively calm tracts, delimitation of these areas, and finally demarcation through placement of boundary pillars. By adopting this “piece-meal” model rather than attempting a sweeping settlement, both nations aim to build confidence through early, practical progress. The talks also addressed the situation in Ladakh and the eastern sector, where tensions have lingered since the May 2020 clashes. While some issues—such as buffer zones—remain unresolved, both sides have agreed to move towards a non-offensive military posture. This includes withdrawing tanks, rockets, and artillery from forward positions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh to reduce the threat perception. Geography plays a key role here: while the Indian side faces rugged mountains and high passes, China’s Tibetan plateau allows the PLA faster mobility. The new posture aims to minimize any risk of escalation. Officials said the overall direction is one of de-escalation, normalization, and restoration of ties to pre-April 2020 levels. The current initiative stems from the Modi–Xi meeting in October 2024, which laid the groundwork for renewed engagement despite persisting strategic mistrust, including over China’s role in Pakistan and the wider region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are expected to meet again on August 31 at the SCO Summit in Tianjin, a venue where both leaders could consolidate the forward momentum and chart a roadmap for closer yet pragmatic cooperation.

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Trump Doubles Tariffs on India to Pressure Russia, Pushes for Swift End to Ukraine War: White House

Washington, D.C. — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday said that U.S. President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on India as part of a broader strategy to pressure Russia over the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The tariff on India has now doubled to 50%, with Trump adding a fresh 25% levy on top of the earlier 25%. Leavitt explained during her press briefing that the sanctions were intended to exert “secondary pressure” on Russia. “The President has applied tremendous public pressure to bring this war to an end. He has taken concrete steps—such as sanctions on India and other measures. He’s made it clear he wants this war to stop and dismissed suggestions that we should wait another month before any meeting takes place,” she said. Trump recently met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, where he expressed openness to a potential trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace in Ukraine. Calling the day “very successful,” Trump described progress in talks, while Zelensky said it was the “best conversation” he has had with the U.S. President so far. Leavitt stressed that Trump is determined to act quickly to secure peace. “The President wants to act swiftly and end this war as soon as possible… With several European leaders, including the NATO Secretary General, leaving the White House, they all agreed this is a positive first step. It’s encouraging that the two leaders will sit down together, and the President expects that to happen,” she stated. She added that Trump’s persistence has prompted strong support from European allies. “The President met with European leaders at the White House just 48 hours after sitting down with President Putin on American soil. The progress shared in the readout following that meeting was so significant that every one of those leaders boarded a plane and came to the United States within two days,” Leavitt said. The Press Secretary reiterated the administration’s stance that the Ukraine war would not have begun under Trump’s leadership. When asked about Putin’s own claim supporting this view, she confirmed, “True. Do you accept that as true? The European leaders do. And President Putin himself said that, by the way.” On the question of long-term security guarantees, Leavitt said Trump is focused on building lasting peace in collaboration with European leaders and NATO. “The President has been directly engaging with European leaders and NATO on how to secure lasting peace and end the war. He has invested an extraordinary amount of time, energy, and effort into this, and he remains determined to see it through,” she said. The White House maintains that Trump’s leadership and diplomatic push have accelerated discussions for a potential resolution to the conflict, with active coordination among Ukraine, Russia, and European allies.

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NSA Ajit Doval, Chinese FM Wang Yi Hold Boundary Talks in New Delhi

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday for a fresh round of Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the boundary question. Wang Yi arrived in India late Monday on a two-day official visit. The talks are expected to cover a wide range of issues, including the border situation, trade, and resumption of flight services. According to Beijing, the visit is aimed at implementing the consensus reached last year between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the visit would help maintain high-level exchanges, build political trust, strengthen cooperation, and “properly manage differences” for stable development of bilateral ties. On Monday, Wang Yi also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who underscored that any forward momentum in India-China relations hinges on peace and tranquillity along the border and progress in the de-escalation process. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of a fair, balanced, and multipolar world order, economic stability, and joint efforts to combat terrorism. He added that discussions with Wang Yi would also address trade, pilgrimages, people-to-people exchanges, connectivity, river data sharing, and border trade. The EAM stressed that India and China, having faced a “difficult period” in ties, must now be guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interest, ensuring differences do not escalate into disputes. India has worked closely with China during its ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency, with the upcoming summit in Tianjin (Aug 31–Sept 1) expected to see participation by PM Modi. “Overall, it is our expectation that our discussions would contribute to building a stable, cooperative and forward-looking relationship between India and China, one that serves both our interests and addresses our concerns,” Jaishankar said.

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Trump, Zelenskyy Meet at White House; Trilateral Summit with Russia on the Cards to End Ukraine War

US President Donald Trump on Monday met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House in a high-stakes meeting, nearly six months after their heated Oval Office showdown. This time, the atmosphere was markedly different, with both leaders smiling, joking, and speaking calmly with reporters. Trump said the world was “tired” of the Ukraine war, which has been ongoing since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, and hinted at a possible trilateral summit between the US, Ukraine, and Russia to negotiate peace. “We’re going to have a meeting… I think there will be a reasonable chance of ending the war when we do that,” he said. Zelenskyy supported the proposal, stating that Ukraine was ready for a trilateral dialogue to achieve a diplomatic end to the conflict. Thanking Trump for his personal efforts, Zelenskyy said, “We want it to end good for everybody. The people of Ukraine have suffered.” Earlier, Trump welcomed Zelenskyy outside the White House, noting his black suit—a rare departure from his military attire. Inside, Trump described Zelenskyy’s presence as an “honour” and spoke of “good progress,” contrasting sharply with his confrontational tone during their February 28 meeting. Trump emphasized that the summit, if successful, must bring lasting peace. “We are not talking about a two-year peace and then ending up in this mess again. If there’s peace, it’s going to stay long-term,” he said. On the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine, Trump assured that Kyiv would get “a lot of help” and did not rule out the possibility of US troop involvement, saying, “We’ll let you know that maybe later today.” Zelenskyy, for his part, highlighted training missions and intelligence sharing as vital to strengthening Ukraine’s defense. Trump also confirmed he would call Russian President Vladimir Putin after meeting Zelenskyy, noting he had recently spoken to him indirectly. The meeting came just three days after Trump’s talks with Putin in Alaska, which failed to secure a ceasefire. Later on Monday, Trump is scheduled to meet with leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union, and NATO, who have joined Zelenskyy in Washington to show solidarity and push for strong security guarantees in any post-war settlement. The Ukraine war, now in its 3.5th year, has killed or wounded over a million people on both sides—including thousands of Ukrainian civilians—while devastating large parts of the country, according to analysts.

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Protests Sweep Israel as Families Demand Hostage Deal; Military Strikes Widen to Yemen

Tel Aviv — Israel saw one of its most disruptive protest waves in months on Sunday, as demonstrators staged a nationwide strike demanding the government secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. Organised by families of hostages and bereaved relatives, the “day of stoppage” brought traffic to a halt, shuttered businesses, and sparked rallies in dozens of cities. Demonstrators blocked highways, lit bonfires, and gathered outside politicians’ homes and army headquarters. Police deployed water cannons to disperse crowds and reported 32 arrests. The protests come amid mounting anguish over the fate of around 50 hostages still in Gaza — with only 20 believed alive. Families fear new Israeli military operations could endanger them. “Military pressure doesn’t bring hostages back — it only kills them,” said former hostage Arbel Yehoud in Tel Aviv. Though Israel’s main labour union Histadrut declined to formally join, municipalities and private businesses halted work independently, underscoring the strike’s unusual scope. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure from both sides: hostage families urging a deal, and far-right coalition partners threatening to collapse his government if Hamas remains in control of Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the protests as weakening Israel and “playing into Hamas’ hands.” Regional Front Expands Even as protests raged, the Israeli military said it struck energy infrastructure in Yemen, targeting Iran-backed Houthi forces who have launched missiles at Israel and Red Sea shipping lanes. Houthi media reported a power plant near Sanaa was hit, causing a fire and blackout. Preparations for Gaza Offensive Meanwhile, Israel is preparing for a renewed push into Gaza City, while easing some restrictions on aid. The defence body COGAT said shipments of tents and shelters would resume to enable evacuations, though humanitarian groups warn deliveries remain “drastically short of needs.” According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 61,000 people — about half women and children — have been killed since October 2023. On Sunday alone, officials said seven children died from malnutrition, including two infants. The UN cites the ministry’s figures as the most reliable available, though Israel disputes them. The war began after Hamas’ 7 October assault, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to nearly the entire population of Gaza being displaced.

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ADHD Medications May Prevent Suicide, Accidents, and Crime, Study Finds

New research from Sweden suggests that ADHD medication may do far more than relieve core symptoms of the condition—it could actually save lives and prevent serious harm. In a study of nearly 150,000 people aged 6–64 who were newly diagnosed with ADHD, those who started stimulant medication within three months showed significantly lower risks of dangerous behaviors compared to those who did not. Over a two-year follow-up, medication use was linked to a decrease in first-time events: The protective effects were even stronger among participants with a history of these problems, including accidental injuries. Researchers believe the benefits may stem from improved focus and reduced impulsivity. While they caution that factors like genetics and lifestyle could also play a role, the findings highlight important public health implications. Doctors say the results may help guide conversations with patients and families about the broader value of ADHD treatment.

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