September 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: Technology

Indian Army Inducts First Batch of Apache Attack Helicopters, Deployment at Jodhpur Soon

In a major boost to its offensive air capabilities, the Indian Army has received the first batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, which will soon be deployed at a key base in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The delivery marks a significant milestone for Army Aviation and enhances India’s preparedness in the region. Taking to social media, the Indian Army stated: “Indian Army inducts #Apache. Milestone moment for Indian Army as the first batch of Apache helicopters for Army Aviation arrive today in India. These state-of-the-art platforms will bolster the operational capabilities of the #IndianArmy significantly.” The arrival comes after a 15-month delay, with the push for expedited delivery being reinforced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in recent discussions with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, according to The Indian Express. India had signed a $600 million deal in 2020 with the US to acquire six additional Apaches for the Indian Army, following a 2015 agreement to supply 22 Apaches to the Indian Air Force. Apache AH-64E: A Battlefield Game-Changer Manufactured by Boeing, the AH-64E Apache is one of the most advanced attack helicopters globally, capable of high-precision strikes in complex combat environments. Key features include: The Apache is already in service with several top militaries, including the US, UK, Israel, and Egypt. With the latest induction, the Indian Army significantly strengthens its tactical air support and anti-armour capabilities, particularly along critical frontiers.

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Editor02 mins

“Zero-Day” Hack on Microsoft SharePoint Hits Nearly 100 Organizations, Warn Cybersecurity Firms

A newly discovered cyber espionage campaign exploiting a previously unknown vulnerability in self-hosted Microsoft SharePoint servers has compromised around 100 organizations as of last weekend, according to Eye Security and the Shadowserver Foundation. The attacks leverage a “zero-day” flaw—one not previously disclosed—that allows adversaries to infiltrate exposed SharePoint instances, install backdoors, and maintain long-term access. SharePoint Online, which runs on Microsoft’s cloud servers, remains unaffected. Vaisha Bernard, chief hacker at Netherlands-based Eye Security, revealed that a targeted breach of one of her firm’s clients on Friday prompted a comprehensive internet scan with Shadowserver. That scan identified nearly 100 vulnerable servers before details of the exploit became public. Shadowserver confirmed most victims are located in the United States and Germany and include government bodies. Rafe Pilling, director of Threat Intelligence at British cybersecurity firm Sophos, noted that although initial forensic indicators point to a single threat actor, “it’s possible this will quickly change” as other groups may adopt the same technique. Microsoft has issued security updates to patch the vulnerability and urged all customers running on-premises SharePoint servers to install them immediately. However, cybersecurity experts warn that patching alone is not enough; organizations should assume they have been breached, conduct thorough forensic investigations, and remove any implanted backdoors. Google’s security team has attributed at least some of the attack activity to a “China-nexus threat actor,” although no government or group has officially claimed responsibility. The FBI and Britain’s National Cyber Security Center have confirmed awareness of the campaign and are collaborating with private and public sector partners.

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Editor03 mins

Airtel Partners with Perplexity to Offer Free AI Assistant Subscription Worth ₹17,000 to All Users

In a major push towards democratizing AI access, telecom giant Bharti Airtel has partnered with US-based artificial intelligence startup Perplexity to offer its premium Perplexity Pro subscription free of cost for up to a year to all Airtel users across India. The annual subscription, normally priced around ₹17,000, is now being provided complimentary to Airtel’s extensive consumer base, which includes over 360 million users across mobile, Wi-Fi, and DTH services. What Is Perplexity? Perplexity is a cutting-edge AI-powered assistant, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, designed to help users with search, planning, content creation, and research. It provides instant answers, intelligent reasoning, and a seamless interface for both everyday and professional use. Key Benefits of the Offer While Perplexity offers a free plan with limited functionality, the Pro version provides a far more robust experience tailored for professionals and power users. Here’s a quick comparison: Perplexity Free Plan: Perplexity Pro (Included in Airtel Offer): How Airtel Users Can Claim the Offer To activate the free Perplexity Pro subscription, Airtel users simply need to: This partnership marks a significant step in making premium AI tools accessible to a broader audience in India. By integrating Perplexity into its ecosystem, Airtel is not only enhancing digital productivity but also taking a forward leap in AI adoption at scale.

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Editor03 mins

Indian Scientists Unravel Cause Behind Rare Ladakh Aurora: Record Solar Storm With Interacting CMEs

In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have decoded the extraordinary cosmic chain of events that led to a rare aurora borealis display over Ladakh in May 2024 — a phenomenon typically confined to the polar regions. This dazzling show in the remote Himalayan skies was triggered by a record-breaking solar storm, powered by six massive, rapidly interacting Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) — immense bursts of magnetized plasma ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere. “This was a unique sequence of six interacting CMEs, associated with solar flares and filament eruptions, all originating from a hyperactive region on the Sun,” said Dr. Wageesh Mishra, faculty at IIA. Using data from NASA and ESA space observatories, researchers at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh, built advanced models to trace the thermal evolution and dynamics of the solar storms as they hurtled through space. Published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, the study marks a scientific first: it offers a continuous thermal profile of multiple interacting CMEs. According to lead author and PhD researcher Soumyaranjan Khuntia, the solar plasma clouds initially released heat, but as they journeyed through interplanetary space, they began to absorb and retain heat, stabilizing at a constant temperature—a surprising discovery that challenges existing assumptions about solar ejections. Back on Earth, NASA’s Wind spacecraft detected an unusual structure within the final CME cloud — “double flux ropes”, or twisted magnetic braids. Their interaction with Earth’s magnetic field caused the dramatic and rare auroras seen across Ladakh’s skies. “This work lays the foundation for a new frontier in space weather forecasting,” noted Anjali Agarwal, a co-author of the study. With India’s Aditya-L1 solar mission now operational and observing the Sun from a vantage point near Lagrange Point 1, the IIA team aims to enhance predictive models for future solar storms and their impact on Earth’s satellites, power grids, and communications. “India is well on its way to becoming a powerhouse in heliophysics research,” said Dr. Mishra. “Our growing capabilities will help protect modern infrastructure from solar hazards in the years to come.” The 2024 Ladakh aurora remains a historic and awe-inspiring event — not just for its beauty, but for the cutting-edge science it has inspired.

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Editor04 mins

अंतरिक्ष में पहली बार भारत के अंतरिक्ष यात्री प्रशिक्षण मानकों की हो रही है वास्तविक परीक्षण: AVM अनुपम अग्रवाल

भारतीय अंतरिक्ष चिकित्सा संस्थान (IAM) के पूर्व कमांडेंट एयर वाइस मार्शल अनुपम अग्रवाल ने बताया कि पहली बार भारत के अंतरिक्ष यात्री प्रशिक्षण प्रोटोकॉल को वास्तविक अंतरिक्ष परिस्थितियों में परखा और प्रमाणित किया जा रहा है। उन्होंने टाइम्स ऑफ इंडिया को दिए एक विशेष साक्षात्कार में कहा कि ग्रुप कैप्टन शुभांशु शुक्ला (शक्स) का वर्तमान मिशन, जो Axiom-4 मिशन के तहत अंतरराष्ट्रीय अंतरिक्ष स्टेशन (ISS) पर हुआ, भारत के मानव अंतरिक्ष उड़ान कार्यक्रम के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण मील का पत्थर है। इतिहास रचा: शुभांशु शुक्ला ने अमेरिका तट के पास स्प्लैशडाउन के साथ पृथ्वी पर की वापसी | Axiom-4 एवीएम अग्रवाल ने कहा, “पूरी एयरोस्पेस मेडिसिन प्रक्रिया, शारीरिक और मानसिक चयन, अब अंतरिक्ष में वास्तविक सूक्ष्म गुरुत्वाकर्षण स्थितियों में प्रमाणित हो रही है। न केवल उनका चयन प्रक्रिया उत्कृष्ट रही, बल्कि हमारे द्वारा विकसित किए गए टेस्ट मानक, अनुसरण की गई प्रक्रियाएं और मनोवैज्ञानिक चयन विधियां — सब कुछ अब वास्तविक परीक्षण से गुजर रहा है।” अग्रवाल ने बताया कि IAM की भूमिका केवल चयन तक सीमित नहीं है। संस्थान मिशन से पहले अंतरिक्ष यात्री का विस्तृत मेडिकल और फिजियोलॉजिकल डाटा इकट्ठा करता है। उन्होंने कहा, “अब यह डेटा यह समझने में मदद करेगा कि सूक्ष्म गुरुत्वाकर्षण भारतीय अंतरिक्ष यात्रियों को कैसे प्रभावित करता है। अगर कोई बदलाव होता है, तो हम उसकी तुलना पूर्वानुमानों से करेंगे और यह सुनिश्चित करेंगे कि हमारे डाटा संग्रहण और व्याख्या की पद्धति सही थी या नहीं। यह पूरे चयन और प्रशिक्षण प्रक्रिया को मजबूत बनाएगा।” भारत की सीमित मानव अंतरिक्ष उड़ान की पृष्ठभूमि को देखते हुए, शुक्ला जैसे मिशन की उपयोगिता और भी अधिक हो जाती है। अग्रवाल ने कहा, “यह एक अत्यंत जटिल प्रक्रिया है और कई विकसित देशों ने इसे करने की कोशिश की है, लेकिन सफल नहीं हो सके। हमारे लिए अंतरराष्ट्रीय अनुभव इस कार्यक्रम के लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है। मानव अंतरिक्ष उड़ान से जुड़ी जानकारी आमतौर पर साहित्य में साझा नहीं की जाती, यह अनुभव से ही सीखी जाती है।” आने वाले गगनयान मिशन और भविष्य के भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अभियानों की बात करते हुए अग्रवाल ने कहा कि IAM की भूमिका अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण होगी। उन्होंने कहा, “जैसे अंतरिक्ष यान के लिए इंजीनियर जरूरी होते हैं, वैसे ही अंतरिक्ष यात्री के लिए एयरोस्पेस मेडिसिन विशेषज्ञ जरूरी होते हैं। ये मानव उपयोग की वस्तुओं का डिज़ाइन, मशीन-मानव इंटरफ़ेस, सुरक्षा मानक, ध्वनि, दृश्य, कंपन और त्वरण से जुड़ी स्थितियों, वस्त्र, स्वच्छता उत्पाद आदि को तय करते हैं।” अग्रवाल ने अपने व्यक्तिगत अनुभव को याद करते हुए कहा कि भारत के पहले अंतरिक्ष यात्री-नामितों का चयन करना उनके और उनकी टीम के लिए एक अविस्मरणीय अनुभव था। उन्होंने कहा, “शुभांशु शुक्ला का चयन हमारे लिए बेहद खास था। हम सभी इस बात से सहमत थे कि हमें जीवन में यह दुर्लभ अवसर मिला है। चयन प्रक्रिया के दौरान हमने देश के कुछ सबसे प्रतिभाशाली, बुद्धिमान और पेशेवर व्यक्तित्वों से मुलाकात की। शक्स उनमें से एक हैं। कितने लोगों को यह अवसर मिलता है? यह एक उत्कृष्ट अनुभव था, है और रहेगा।”

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Editor01 mins

Tesla Finally Launches in India with Mumbai Showroom, Model Y on Display

After nearly a decade of anticipation, Tesla has officially entered the Indian market, opening its first showroom — dubbed an “Experience Center” — in Mumbai. This major milestone comes nine years after CEO Elon Musk first teased Tesla’s India plans in April 2016, and follows years of delays, negotiations, and regulatory hurdles. Located in the upscale Maker Maxity Mall in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the 4,000-square-foot showroom currently showcases the Model Y in two variants: rear-wheel drive (RWD) and long-range RWD. Both models are being imported from Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory. Pricing and Orders The Model Y RWD is priced at ₹59,89,000 (approx. $68,000), while the long-range RWD variant will cost ₹67,89,000 (approx. $79,000). Tesla is also offering its Full Self-Driving (FSD) add-on in India at ₹6,00,000 (approx. $7,000). Indian customers can place orders starting today by paying a non-refundable deposit of ₹22,220 (around $260). Initially, the Model Y will be registered in Delhi, Gurugram, and Mumbai. Deliveries for the RWD variant are expected in Q3 of 2025, while long-range RWD deliveries will commence in Q4. Charging Infrastructure and Expansion In preparation for deliveries, Tesla will set up four charging stations each in Mumbai and Delhi, which will include both Superchargers and destination chargers. A second Tesla Experience Center is also slated to open in Delhi later this month, signaling a wider rollout plan across India. TechCrunch reports that Tesla also intends to begin importing vehicles from its Berlin Gigafactory once the India-EU free trade agreement is signed. India’s EV Market and Government Push India, the world’s fourth-largest automotive market after China, the U.S., and Japan, produces around 6 million vehicles annually. However, its electric vehicle (EV) market is still in a nascent stage, dominated largely by two-wheelers. The Indian government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 30% EV penetration in all auto sales by 2030. Tesla’s India entry follows multiple high-level discussions between Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Initially, the Indian government encouraged Tesla to manufacture locally, but Tesla insisted on first testing the market through imports. Back in 2016, Tesla had taken $1,000 deposits from Indian customers for the then-upcoming Model 3, but later refunded them as launch plans remained uncertain. With this long-awaited entry finally materializing, Tesla now looks poised to tap into the growing Indian EV market — starting with the Model Y.

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Editor04 mins

Tesla to Launch in India with First Showroom in Mumbai on July 15

Electric vehicle giant Tesla Inc. is officially entering the Indian market next week, with the grand opening of its first showroom in Mumbai on July 15, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean mobility transition. The launch event will take place at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai’s premier commercial hub. Tesla has branded the occasion as the opening of the Tesla Experience Centre, a flagship step in its India entry strategy. Imports from China & U.S. Ahead of Launch According to a Reuters report, Tesla has imported electric vehicles and related merchandise worth nearly $1 million in anticipation of the launch. The imports include: The standard Model Y units were declared at $32,500 each, while the long-range model was shipped at $46,000, as per customs data. These were brought in despite India’s high import duties, which can reach up to 70% on foreign EVs. Hiring Spree and Market Strategy Tesla has also begun hiring for multiple roles in India, signaling that the company is laying the groundwork for deeper operations in the country. This includes sales, service, and technical support positions. The move comes as Tesla faces slowing demand and production surpluses in established markets like the U.S. and China. India, with its large population and rapidly growing EV ecosystem, presents a significant opportunity. Manufacturing Still in Question While Tesla’s initial entry is import-based, the Indian government has been actively encouraging local manufacturing. A new EV policy has been drafted to incentivize global manufacturers, including Tesla, to set up production units in India. Last year, Elon Musk was expected to visit India and announce a $2–3 billion investment in the country’s operations, but the visit was later cancelled. However, the latest developments suggest Tesla remains keen on establishing a long-term footprint in India. With the BKC showroom ready for launch and consumer anticipation building, Tesla’s India debut could reshape the premium EV market and set the stage for deeper engagement in South Asia’s largest economy.

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Editor03 mins

Nvidia Briefly Hits $4 Trillion Market Cap, Solidifying AI Dominance

Nvidia Corp. (NVDA.O) briefly reached a $4 trillion market capitalization on Wednesday, becoming the first company in history to do so and reaffirming its dominant role in the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. The milestone underscores Wall Street’s soaring confidence in the future of AI and Nvidia’s indispensable position in that landscape. Surging Stock and Historic Valuation Nvidia’s shares rose as much as 2.8% to an all-time high of $164.42 during trading, driven by continued strong demand for its high-performance AI chips. The stock ended the session up 1.80%, with a closing market value of $3.97 trillion. This rally marks a dramatic turnaround from its dip earlier in the year, when Chinese competitor DeepSeek briefly dampened investor sentiment with a low-cost AI model. In just over one year, Nvidia has tripled its market cap—having hit the $1 trillion mark in June 2023—outpacing the growth trajectories of tech giants Apple and Microsoft, which also hold market caps above $3 trillion. AI Boom Powers Growth The growth of AI has supercharged Nvidia’s valuation, with analysts and investors noting that companies are redirecting capital towards AI infrastructure, a field Nvidia dominates. “It highlights the fact that companies are shifting their asset spend in the direction of AI. It’s pretty much the future of technology,” said Robert Pavlik of Dakota Wealth. Nvidia’s AI chips power everything from data centers to generative AI applications like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, making it a critical supplier to major tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. Outperforming Global Markets Revenue and Valuation Metrics Challenges Ahead Despite its dominant position, Nvidia faces rising competition from AMD and other chipmakers offering more affordable AI solutions. Moreover, Nvidia’s top customers, including Microsoft and Amazon, are under shareholder pressure to curb AI-related expenditures, which could affect future chip demand. Still, Nvidia’s continued technological leadership and strong quarterly forecasts suggest it remains the undisputed leader in the AI-driven semiconductor space. In Summary: Nvidia’s brief rise to a $4 trillion valuation is not just a market milestone—it is a reflection of how deeply AI has reshaped global investing priorities, with Nvidia at the epicenter of this shift.

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Editor04 mins

Climate Change May Trigger Surge in Explosive Volcanic Eruptions, Study Warns

Melting glaciers and ice caps caused by the ongoing climate crisis could significantly increase the frequency and intensity of volcanic eruptions, according to a new study. The loss of ice reduces pressure on underground magma chambers, making eruptions more likely — a process already observed in Iceland. Now, groundbreaking research in Chile shows that this phenomenon could occur across entire continents. The study, led by Pablo Moreno-Yaeger of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, found compelling evidence that after the last ice age, volcanic activity in the Chilean Andes surged as thick ice sheets melted away. Presented at the Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference in Prague, the research is currently under peer review and provides key insights into the relationship between deglaciation and volcanic behavior. Pressure Release and Volcanic Eruption Researchers conducted detailed fieldwork around Mocho-Choshuenco, a volcano once buried under a 1,500-metre-thick Patagonian ice sheet. Using radioisotope dating and mineral analysis of volcanic rocks, they found that eruptions were suppressed between 26,000 and 18,000 years ago due to the heavy ice load. As the ice melted around 13,000 years ago, pressure on the underlying magma chamber was released. Gases trapped in the magma expanded, leading to a phase of frequent and explosive eruptions. “We found that following deglaciation, the volcano starts to erupt way more, and also changes composition,” Moreno-Yaeger said. The magma became more viscous and explosive as it melted surrounding crustal rocks during the suppressed eruption phase. Risk Zones: Antarctica and Beyond The findings raise concerns about future volcanic risks, especially in West Antarctica, where over 100 volcanoes lie hidden beneath rapidly melting ice. Other vulnerable regions include North America, New Zealand, and parts of Russia. Volcanic eruptions can temporarily cool the planet by releasing sunlight-reflecting aerosols. However, sustained volcanic activity would inject large volumes of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, potentially setting off a vicious climate feedback loop: warming melts ice, triggering eruptions that release gases, which in turn intensify warming. Need for Urgent Research Although it is well documented that global volcanic activity spiked two- to sixfold after the last ice age, little research has been done on how modern climate change is influencing volcanic systems. The Chilean study is one of the first to provide concrete geological evidence of this interaction on a continental scale. A recent review by scientists concluded that more attention is urgently needed to understand the links between climate change and volcanism — especially as extreme rainfall, another result of global warming, may also fuel violent eruptions. This emerging area of research holds critical importance for global safety and climate forecasting, as our warming planet continues to reshape geological as well as environmental systems.

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Editor04 mins

Australian Scientists Discover Key Proteins That Could Revolutionize Cancer and Ageing Treatments

A team of Australian scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery that could significantly alter the way we treat cancer and age-related diseases. Researchers at the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Sydney have identified a group of proteins that play a crucial role in regulating telomerase—an enzyme essential for protecting DNA during cell division, according to a report by Xinhua news agency. Published in Nature Communications, the study identifies three proteins — NONO, SFPQ, and PSPC1 — that act as molecular guides, ensuring that telomerase reaches the ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres, which are vital for maintaining genetic stability. Telomerase adds DNA to telomeres, preventing them from shortening and thus protecting chromosomes from damage. While this enzyme is vital for the health and function of stem cells and certain immune cells, it is also exploited by cancer cells to sustain uncontrolled growth. Lead author Alexander Sobinoff explained, “Our findings show that these proteins act like molecular traffic controllers, making sure telomerase reaches the right destination inside the cell. Without them, telomerase cannot maintain telomeres properly.” This insight opens promising avenues for targeting telomerase regulation in cancer therapy. Disrupting these guiding proteins in cancer cells, the study found, prevents proper telomere maintenance, which could effectively halt the growth of cancer cells. Senior author Dr. Hilda Pickett, head of CMRI’s Telomere Length Regulation Unit, added, “Understanding how telomerase is controlled gives us a powerful new perspective. It paves the way for treatments aimed at cancer, ageing, and genetic disorders linked to telomere dysfunction.” This discovery represents a major step forward in molecular medicine, offering potential for new drugs or gene therapies that could either slow the ageing process or shut down cancer cell proliferation—all by targeting a newly uncovered cellular mechanism.

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