September 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: Politics

मेयर मालती राय का विरोध: जनप्रतिनिधियों पर लगाए गए आरोपों को बताया अपमानजनक, फाइल ट्रैकिंग सिस्टम की मांग

भोपाल की मेयर मालती राय ने शासन द्वारा जनप्रतिनिधियों पर फाइल प्रक्रियाओं में देरी के लिए जिम्मेदार ठहराए जाने को लेकर कड़ा ऐतराज जताया है। उन्होंने नगरीय प्रशासन एवं विकास विभाग के अतिरिक्त मुख्य सचिव संजय शुक्ला को एक पत्र लिखकर इन आरोपों को “अपमानजनक” और “अस्वीकार्य” बताया है। यह पत्र गुरुवार को उस परिपत्र के जवाब में लिखा गया, जिसे 28 मई को निदेशालय द्वारा जारी किया गया था। उक्त परिपत्र में महापौरों और महापौर परिषद (MIC) के सदस्यों को प्रशासनिक विलंब के लिए दोषी ठहराया गया था। मेयर राय ने पत्र में लिखा कि बिना किसी ठोस आधार के चुने हुए जनप्रतिनिधियों पर दोष मढ़ना न केवल उनके सम्मान को ठेस पहुंचाता है, बल्कि वास्तविक समस्याओं से ध्यान भी भटकाता है। उन्होंने कहा, “सभी महापौर और अध्यक्ष नगर निगम अधिनियम 1956 के अंतर्गत अपने कर्तव्यों से भली-भांति परिचित हैं। वे जनहित में कार्य करते हैं और मुद्दों का शीघ्र समाधान करने का प्रयास करते हैं।” राय ने यह भी कहा कि कई मामलों में फाइलें महापौर परिषद से स्वीकृत होने के बाद भी आयुक्त और अन्य अधिकारियों की निष्क्रियता के कारण अटक जाती हैं। ऐसे में महापौरों को दोषी ठहराना भ्रामक है। उन्होंने 10 दिन में सभी फाइलों के निपटान का निर्देश देने वाले शासनादेश पर भी आपत्ति जताई और उसे अव्यवहारिक तथा ज़मीनी हकीकत से कटा हुआ बताया। पारदर्शिता जरूरी: राय मेयर मालती राय ने सुझाव दिया कि नगरीय प्रशासन विभाग को फाइलों की गति पर निगरानी रखने हेतु एक डिजिटल ट्रैकिंग सिस्टम लागू करना चाहिए। उन्होंने कहा, “इस प्रणाली में स्पष्ट रूप से दिखना चाहिए कि कौन अधिकारी फाइल रोककर बैठा है और कितने समय से। इस प्रक्रिया में पारदर्शिता आने से हर स्तर पर जवाबदेही तय हो सकेगी।”

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Editor01 mins

Trump Softens Stance on India-Pakistan Peace, Credits Modi and Munir After Weeks of Taking Credit

After weeks of publicly claiming that he “stopped a war” between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump has shifted his tone, now giving credit directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir. Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday following a lunch meeting with General Munir, Trump said, “I’m so happy that two smart people decided not to keep going with that war… That could have been a nuclear war. Those are two nuclear powers, big ones, big, big nuclear powers, and they decided that.” Significantly, Trump did not position himself as the central peacemaker—a departure from his earlier narrative. Since May 10, when India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire following heightened tensions after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Trump had repeatedly claimed personal credit, citing his diplomacy and the appeal of US trade deals as instrumental in de-escalation. He famously declared, “I stopped the war.” Shift After Modi-Trump Phone Call The change in tone came just hours after a 35-minute phone conversation between Trump and PM Modi. Indian officials, speaking from the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, dismissed any claims of foreign mediation. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri quoted PM Modi as saying: “India has never accepted mediation nor would it ever accept it. We have complete political unanimity on this.” He also emphasized that no trade deals or US involvement were discussed or factored into India’s military decisions under Operation Sindoor, the country’s robust retaliation following the terror attack. According to Indian officials, the decision to cease hostilities came after Pakistan suffered major damage to nine of its airbases and reached out for a ceasefire through pre-existing military channels, not due to external pressure. Modi’s Firm Message, Trump’s Subtle Climbdown Just hours before his Oval Office statement, Trump had again claimed he “stopped the war.” But the softened rhetoric—praising PM Modi and General Munir as “very smart people” and acknowledging their decisions—indicates a subtle walk-back, likely influenced by India’s diplomatic pushback and transparency. Observers say this evolution in Trump’s language reflects a need to recalibrate the US narrative after India’s firm rebuttal. Analysts note that global diplomats and fact-checkers will be closely monitoring whether Trump continues this revised tone or returns to his earlier self-congratulatory framing. Poll: What Do You Think? Do you believe President Trump’s claims about stopping the war are justified? 🔘 Yes, he played a crucial role🔘 No, it was primarily India and Pakistan’s decision As New Delhi reiterates that the credit for preventing further escalation lies solely with India and Pakistan, the world is watching how long the White House maintains this more balanced version of events.

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Editor04 mins

Kashmiri Students Evacuated from War-Hit Iran Thank Centre, Slam J&K Govt for Poor Transport Arrangements

Indian students evacuated from conflict-ridden Iran have expressed gratitude to the Central Government for ensuring their safe return to the country. However, many students—particularly from Jammu and Kashmir—voiced disappointment over the inadequate onward travel arrangements provided by the J&K government from Delhi to their home districts. After days of tension and a long, exhausting journey from Iran via Armenia and Doha, the students were expecting proper care upon arrival in Delhi. Instead, they were met with old and uncomfortable SRTC buses, a stark contrast to the facilities provided to students from other Indian states who received airport assistance and connecting flights home. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association shared a video on social media platform X, highlighting the poor condition of the buses. The post read: “After enduring a harrowing 4-day journey from Iran via Armenia & Doha, Kashmiri students have finally reached Delhi, only to be dumped in SRTC buses, unlike students from other states who were received with proper airport facilitation, care, and connecting flights home.” The association further criticized the state government’s response, stating, “Exhausted, distressed, and neglected. Is this the reward for their resilience? What’s stopping the J&K Govt from stepping up? Logistics? Willpower? Or just apathy? If it’s about funds, say it loud—we’ll launch a fundraiser for the JK Govt. We’ve done more with less before.” In response to the backlash, the office of then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the concerns and assured that steps were being taken in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation to arrange proper deluxe buses for the students’ travel. The flight carrying the 110 evacuated Indian students—primarily from Urmia Medical University in Iran—arrived in New Delhi after delays. Out of these, 90 students belonged to the Kashmir Valley. According to Nasir Khuehami, convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Union, the students had successfully crossed into Armenia on Tuesday and were temporarily accommodated in Yerevan before being flown to India. Iran has remained a favored destination for Kashmiri students due to its affordable higher education and cultural similarities. Currently, over 4,000 Indian students—nearly half of them from J&K—are pursuing courses in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom. Amaan Azhar, one of the evacuated students, shared his emotions after landing in India. “I am very happy. I cannot express in words how happy I am to finally be able to meet my family. The situation in Iran is very bad. The people there are like us; there are small children who are suffering. War is not a good thing. It kills humanity,” he said. While the safe evacuation has been widely appreciated, the incident has raised questions about state-level preparedness and sensitivity in handling returning students during international emergencies.

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Editor05 mins

ईरान-इस्राइल तनाव: मिसाइल हमलों के बीच आईडीएफ ने जनता से घरों में रहने की अपील की, इस्राइल का पलटवार शुरू

ईरान से शुक्रवार तड़के इस्राइल पर मिसाइलों की एक नई बौछार की गई, जिससे यरुशलम और तेल अवीव सहित कई प्रमुख शहरों में एयर रेड सायरन बजने लगे। इस्राइल डिफेंस फोर्स (IDF) ने पुष्टि की है कि ईरान की ओर से प्रक्षेपास्त्र दागे गए हैं और देश की वायु रक्षा प्रणालियाँ सक्रिय रूप से इन्हें रोकने में लगी हुई हैं। यरुशलम और तेल अवीव के ऊपर कई विस्फोटों की आवाजें सुनी गईं और स्थानीय मीडिया ने कम से कम चार जगहों पर मिसाइल गिरने की पुष्टि की है। बीयर शेवा स्थित सोरोका मेडिकल सेंटर को भी मिसाइल हमले से नुकसान पहुंचा है। इसके अलावा, तेल अवीव, रमात गन और होलोन में भी मिसाइल गिरने की खबरें हैं। IDF ने जनता से अपील की है कि वे “अगले आदेश तक” घरों के अंदर ही रहें और सुरक्षित स्थानों की शरण लें, क्योंकि रक्षात्मक अभियान अभी जारी है। इस हमले के जवाब में, इस्राइली सेना ने ईरान के अराक भारी जल (heavy-water) परमाणु रिएक्टर पर हमला किया है। यह रिएक्टर पश्चिमी शक्तियों के लिए लंबे समय से चिंता का विषय रहा है क्योंकि इससे प्लूटोनियम आधारित हथियार बनाए जा सकते हैं। Reuters ने ईरानी राज्य टीवी के हवाले से बताया कि इस्राइल द्वारा अराक-खोंदाब क्षेत्र में नागरिकों को खाली करने की चेतावनी देने के कुछ समय बाद ही यह हमला किया गया। इसके अलावा, इस्राइल ने लेबनान के लितानी क्षेत्र में हिजबुल्ला के वरिष्ठ तोपखाना कमांडर यासीन अब्दुल मोनीम एज्ज़ेदीन को मार गिराने का दावा किया है। आईडीएफ के प्रवक्ता अविचाय आडरी ने बताया कि एज्ज़ेदीन इस्राइल पर कई हमलों की योजना में शामिल था और हिजबुल्ला की तोपखाना क्षमताओं को पुनः स्थापित करने में प्रमुख भूमिका निभा रहा था। हिजबुल्ला की ओर से इस पर अभी कोई प्रतिक्रिया नहीं आई है।

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Editor01 mins

Air India Crash: 135 Victims Identified Through DNA; 101 Bodies Handed Over to Families

Five days after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 270 lives, officials have confirmed that 135 victims have been identified through DNA matching, and 101 bodies have been handed over to their families. Authorities are relying on DNA tests to establish identities, as many of the bodies were severely charred or mutilated. Ahmedabad Civil Hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Rakesh Joshi, informed that of the 101 deceased handed over so far, five individuals were not passengers on the flight. These victims belonged to various regions, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Diu. Dr. Joshi expressed hope that DNA profiling of all victims would be completed by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The devastating crash occurred on June 12 at 1:39 pm when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London with 242 people on board, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, with only one passenger surviving. Additionally, 29 people on the ground, including five MBBS students, lost their lives in the incident.Five days after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 270 lives, officials have confirmed that 135 victims have been identified through DNA matching, and 101 bodies have been handed over to their families. Authorities are relying on DNA tests to establish identities, as many of the bodies were severely charred or mutilated. Ahmedabad Civil Hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr. Rakesh Joshi, informed that of the 101 deceased handed over so far, five individuals were not passengers on the flight. These victims belonged to various regions, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Diu. Dr. Joshi expressed hope that DNA profiling of all victims would be completed by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The devastating crash occurred on June 12 at 1:39 pm when a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London with 242 people on board, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, with only one passenger surviving. Additionally, 29 people on the ground, including five MBBS students, lost their lives in the incident.

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Editor03 mins

India Begins Evacuation of Students from Iran Amid Escalating Tensions with Israel

Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, India has begun evacuating its citizens, particularly students, from Iran. At least 100 Indian students from Urmia, including around 90 from Jammu and Kashmir, have safely crossed the border into Armenia and are awaiting repatriation to India. Their flight to Delhi is scheduled for tomorrow. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Indian students in Tehran have been moved out of the city with the help of arrangements made by the Indian Embassy, citing growing safety concerns. Indian nationals with personal transport have been advised to evacuate Tehran on their own. Some have already crossed the border into Armenia with assistance from authorities. Nasir Khuehami, national convener of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, confirmed the safe passage of students from Urmia Medical University and stated that they are currently en route to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. There are approximately 10,000 Indians in Iran, including nearly 6,000 students. The Embassy of India in Tehran remains in continuous contact with the Indian community to provide all possible support. Additionally, a control room has been established in New Delhi, and 24×7 emergency helplines have been activated in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, and Zahedan to assist Indians in need.

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Editor02 mins

Meta Appoints Arun Srinivas as India Head Amid Leadership Changes

Meta has named Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head of India, effective July 1, 2025, marking a significant leadership shift following the recent resignation of Shivnath Thukral, the company’s former Vice-President and Head of Public Policy in India. The appointment comes shortly after Sandhya Devanathan was assigned an expanded mandate to lead Meta’s operations across India and Southeast Asia. Srinivas will report directly to Devanathan as he assumes the new role. In a statement, Meta said that Srinivas will now focus on aligning the organisation’s business, innovation, and revenue priorities to better serve its partners and clients in India. His responsibilities will include driving long-term growth strategies and reinforcing Meta’s commitment to the Indian market. Srinivas, a postgraduate from IIM Kolkata, brings nearly 30 years of experience in sales and marketing, having previously held leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, Ola, and WestBridge Capital. Since joining Meta in 2020, he has served as the Director and Head of Ads Business in India, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s engagement with top advertisers and agency partners. His work has centered on driving growth through AI, Reels, and Messaging solutions. Meta highlighted that this leadership move reinforces its focus on India as a priority market, particularly in areas like digital advertising, creator ecosystems, and business messaging.

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Editor02 mins

IDF Apologises for Map Showing J&K as Part of Pakistan; Sparks Political Row in India Amid Israel-Iran Escalation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued a public apology after posting a map on social media that incorrectly depicted Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan. The error sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from Indian users who flooded the IDF’s X (formerly Twitter) handle demanding the post be retracted. Acknowledging the mistake, the IDF stated: “This post is an illustration of the region. This map fails to precisely depict borders. We apologize for any offence caused by this image.” However, the clarification did little to quell political controversy in India. The Indian National Congress seized the moment to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his foreign policy strategy. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera posted on X, “Another day, another feather in Vishwaguru’s cap. His ‘friend’ shows Jammu & Kashmir as a part of Pakistan.” The post was seen as a diplomatic embarrassment, particularly given the close ties shared between PM Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Israel in 2017, marking a shift in Indo-Israeli relations with increased public displays of friendship and strategic cooperation. Rising Tensions: Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates Meanwhile, the diplomatic row coincides with a dangerous flare-up in the Middle East. Iran launched another wave of missile strikes on northern Israel early Saturday morning, triggering air-raid sirens and forcing civilians into shelters. This followed an earlier Iranian retaliation where over 100 drones were deployed in response to deadly overnight Israeli airstrikes that targeted Iranian soil under “Operation Rising Lion.” Among the casualties was Hossein Salami, the chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, as reported by local media. The conflict has now evolved into a full-blown military escalation between the two regional powers, raising global concerns about wider instability in the Middle East. As both diplomatic and military tensions surge, the incident involving the IDF’s map serves as a reminder of how sensitive geopolitical borders remain — especially when amplified on the global stage through social media.

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Editor03 mins

Kunal Kamra Faces Breach of Privilege Motion Over Satirical Song Targeting Eknath Shinde

Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra is under scrutiny by the Maharashtra Legislative Council after a breach of privilege motion against him was admitted by Council Chairperson Ram Shinde. The motion has been forwarded to the Breach of Privilege Committee, chaired by BJP legislator Prasad Lad, which is expected to soon issue a notice to Kamra seeking his response. The controversy stems from a satirical song released by Kamra during the state legislature’s budget session in March, in which he alluded to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as a “gaddar” (traitor), referencing Shinde’s political split from the Shiv Sena. The song triggered protests in both Houses of the legislature, leading BJP MLC Pravin Darekar to move the motion on March 26, the final day of the session. Darekar alleged that Kamra had used derogatory language against a popular public figure, thereby breaching the privilege of the legislature. Despite the motion being submitted over two months ago, it was admitted only recently due to differences of opinion on the legal validity of such a move. An official from Vidhan Bhavan confirmed that the privilege panel is likely to meet before the upcoming monsoon session, during which it will consider Kamra’s case and issue a formal notice to him for his explanation. The delay in action was reportedly due to caution advised by the legislature’s legal wing, which referred to Supreme Court rulings, including the Sita Soren case, highlighting that breach of privilege motions are valid only if the alleged act obstructs legislators from discharging their duties. The legal cell expressed doubts over whether Kamra’s song met that threshold and suggested that the final decision be left to the committee. Interestingly, a similar motion in the Legislative Assembly moved by Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Bornare was not admitted by the Speaker, reflecting divided opinions even within the legislature on whether Kamra’s actions constitute a true breach of privilege. Kamra, known for his politically charged satire, has yet to comment publicly on the matter. The outcome of the committee’s review will determine whether any formal censure or further legal action will follow.

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Editor04 mins

Iran-Israel Conflict Poses Major Economic Threats for India Amid Oil Price Surge and Trade Disruptions

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has sparked serious concerns for India’s economy, with analysts warning of a surge in oil import costs and significant disruptions to export routes. The situation worsened after Israel launched strikes on multiple Iranian nuclear and military sites early on Friday, June 13, prompting retaliatory drone attacks from Iran. Global oil prices surged by nearly 8% in just one day following the strikes, fueling fears of inflationary pressure in India, which imports over 80% of its crude oil requirements. Although India currently imports only minimal oil from Iran due to U.S. sanctions, the ripple effects of the conflict are expected to be far-reaching. Amit Kumar, Partner and Energy & Renewables Industry Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, told that any disruption around the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint through which 20% of the world’s oil supply flows—could severely affect shipments from key Indian suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. “The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict is likely to pose risks to oil supply… even if direct imports from Iran are minimal, global price spikes due to conflict will raise crude oil import costs,” Kumar said. Trade experts also warn that the conflict could affect India’s export logistics. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of the Engineering Exports Promotion Council of India, highlighted that tension in the Middle East could limit access to the Suez Canal and Red Sea shipping routes. “With the Suez route compromised, ships will have to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, adding 15–20 days of travel time and increasing shipping costs by $500–$1,000 per container. This effectively means a 40–50% hike in export costs,” Chadha explained. Despite the initial spike in oil prices, some analysts believe the market may stabilize. Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics at Julius Baer, said, “This latest conflict eruption follows the usual pattern, with prices rising temporarily before returning to previous levels. The oil market remains resilient, with sufficient storage and spare capacity.” Meanwhile, the price of gold has also spiked, crossing ₹1 lakh per 10 grams, as investors seek safer assets amidst global turmoil. Amit Jain, co-founder of Ashika Global Family Office Services, noted this trend is not merely short-term. “In times of conflict and uncertainty, gold remains the go-to hedge… This is part of a broader uptrend fueled by central bank gold buying, weakening confidence in fiat currencies, and long-term inflation concerns,” he said. As tensions in the Middle East continue, India faces a dual challenge of managing rising import costs and safeguarding its export economy, all while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

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Editor04 mins
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