June 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Tag: LatestNews

SSMB29: Mahesh Babu Returns From Rome, Third Schedule of Rajamouli’s Epic Adventure to Begin Soon

SS Rajamouli’s ambitious action-adventure film, tentatively titled SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, continues to generate massive buzz—even in the absence of an official announcement. With the first two shooting schedules already wrapped up, the team is now preparing to kick off the third leg of filming. After completing high-octane action and adventure sequences in Hyderabad and Koraput, Odisha, the team took a brief hiatus. During the break, Priyanka Chopra returned to the U.S., Rajamouli flew to Japan to promote his documentary RRR: Behind and Beyond, and Mahesh Babu spent quality time with his family in Rome. Now, with Mahesh Babu back in Hyderabad, speculation is rife that the third schedule is ready to roll. The actor, fresh off the success of Guntur Kaaram, is expected to rejoin the sets soon. A Rs 1000-Crore Jungle Adventure Inspired by Epics SSMB29 is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most awaited spectacles. Described as a globetrotting jungle adventure thriller rooted in themes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the film is touted to be a visual and narrative masterpiece. With a reported budget of Rs 1000 crore, the project will blend mythology, history, and modern action with a global appeal. Adding to the excitement are unconfirmed reports that Mahesh Babu’s children may make their on-screen debut in powerful roles, further fueling fan anticipation. Awaiting the Official Word Despite already rolling cameras in multiple locations, the makers are yet to make a formal announcement about the film’s title, cast, or release timeline. But with momentum building and Mahesh Babu back in action, fans can likely expect updates—and possibly a grand reveal—very soon.

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Editor03 mins

Hamas Reviewing Israeli Ceasefire Proposal in Gaza Amid Hostage Negotiations

Hamas is currently evaluating a new ceasefire proposal from Israel that includes a 45-day truce in Gaza, according to a Hamas official who spoke with CNN. The proposal, received on Monday, suggests the staged release of 10 Israeli hostages, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The proposed truce would serve as a framework to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. However, it includes provisions that remain contentious—most notably, the disarmament of Gaza, a condition Hamas has consistently rejected. The proposal also lacks a guarantee of a permanent end to the war, another key demand from the militant group. Despite the lack of a permanent peace clause, the offer marks Israel’s first concrete step toward hostage negotiations since resuming military operations in March. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces increasing domestic pressure from families of hostages and military reservists pushing for a resolution. As part of the deal, Israel demands information on remaining living hostages in exchange for intelligence about Palestinian detainees. The proposal also calls for the return of the bodies of 16 deceased Israeli hostages in exchange for the remains of 160 deceased Palestinians held by Israel. In addition to halting military activity for 45 days, the deal would allow the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where over 2 million civilians face severe shortages due to Israel’s ongoing blockade and recent military offensives. The plan outlines a mechanism to ensure aid reaches only civilians and permits the entry of equipment to shelter displaced Palestinians. The Israeli military would temporarily withdraw from parts of Gaza, including Rafah in the south and areas in the north and east of Gaza City, for seven days. Formal talks for a permanent ceasefire would begin on the third day of the truce, according to the Hamas official. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar met with Hamas representatives in Cairo over the weekend, although Israel has not confirmed whether it sent a delegation to the negotiations. The situation in Gaza remains critical, with the Ministry of Health reporting over 1,500 Palestinian deaths since mid-March amid continued Israeli operations and restricted humanitarian aid.

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Editor03 mins

NASA Sacks Neela Rajendra Amid Trump Administration’s Crackdown on DEI Roles

In a significant move aligning with a new federal directive, NASA has terminated Neela Rajendra, the former head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The decision follows an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump mandating the elimination of all DEI-related roles and programs across federal agencies. Rajendra, an Indian-origin executive, had served in a key leadership role for several years, leading major initiatives such as NASA’s “Space Workforce 2030” pledge. The initiative focused on increasing the representation of women and minorities within the space agency’s workforce. In an attempt to comply with the executive order while retaining Rajendra’s expertise, NASA initially reassigned her to a newly created position titled “Head of the Office of Team Excellence and Employee Success.” Despite the title change, her responsibilities remained largely unchanged, including oversight of internal affinity groups like the Black Excellence Strategic Team. However, with stricter enforcement of the order taking effect, Rajendra was officially relieved of her duties in early April 2025. According to reports, quoting a report from the Daily Mail, an internal email from JPL Director Laurie Leshin confirmed her departure, stating: “Neela Rajendra is no longer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We are incredibly grateful for the lasting impact she made to our organisation. We wish her the very best.” Rajendra had previously survived mass DEI-related layoffs in 2024, when nearly 900 such roles were cut across various government entities due to budget constraints. Even after NASA shut down its DEI office in March 2025, she continued in her reassigned role until her eventual removal this month. Her departure marks NASA’s alignment with other federal agencies that have already complied with the Trump administration’s controversial directive. The administration argues that DEI initiatives have created division and led to the misallocation of taxpayer resources, a claim that continues to spark heated national debate.

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Editor03 mins

West Bengal Police Crack Down on Murshidabad Violence: Two Arrested, Over 1,000 Social Media Accounts Blocked

Amid ongoing unrest in Murshidabad’s Jangipur and Shamshergunj areas, West Bengal Police have arrested two men in connection with the brutal killings of Hargobindo Das (72) and his son Chandan Das (40) in Dhulian. The father-son duo was allegedly hacked to death by miscreants in the Samserganj block, triggering widespread outrage and fear. Arrests Made The two prime suspects, identified as Kalu Nawab and Dildar Nawab, who are brothers, were arrested on Monday night from separate locations: Both are currently in police custody and have been produced in local courts. Police officials allege that the duo played an active role in instigating violence and may be part of a larger network. SITs Formed; CID, STF, IB Involved To probe the violence thoroughly, the West Bengal Police have constituted Special Investigation Teams (SITs) with members from: These agencies are working jointly to investigate murders, looting, arson, and rioting, as well as trace those spreading fake news and provocative content online. A senior officer said: “We have gathered all relevant CCTV footage and are using advanced tech to identify attackers. Intelligence gathering is also underway to trace any links with banned PFI cadres or illegal Bangladeshi migrants.” Digital Crackdown: 1,093 Social Media Accounts Blocked In a significant digital intervention, authorities have blocked 1,093 social media accounts over the past two days to prevent the spread of fake news, hate speech, and communal propaganda. Repeat offenders could face stringent legal action, sources confirmed. Officials said these accounts were allegedly used to: Fear, Displacement, and Security Measures The violence has forced hundreds of Hindu families to flee their homes in Murshidabad and seek shelter in Malda, where they are now living in temporary relief camps. To prevent further escalation: The situation remains tense, but with coordinated efforts from multiple agencies and increased security presence, the administration hopes to restore peace and ensure justice for victims.

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Editor04 mins

Assam Makes Assamese Compulsory for All Government Work; Bodo and Bengali to Be Used Regionally

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that Assamese will be the compulsory official language for all government notifications, orders, acts, and similar official works across the state, starting from the Bohag Bihu season. The decision marks a significant push to strengthen the cultural identity of the Assamese language in state administration. In a notification issued by the state government, it was clarified that while Assamese will be the official language across most of the state: The directive also noted that English will continue to be used for communication with: Additionally, the notification stated: “For interpretation of provisions contained in any rules, acts, regulations, office orders, court orders or judgments, the English version shall prevail.” Taking to X (formerly Twitter), CM Sarma posted: “Beginning this Bohag, Assamese will be the compulsory official language for all government notifications, orders, acts etc. across Assam.” Language Landscape of Assam (as per 2011 Census): These numbers reflect the linguistic diversity of Assam, shaped by its multi-ethnic and multicultural identity. The move follows the Union Cabinet’s October 3, 2024 decision to grant classical language status to Assamese, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, and Bengali — a significant recognition of linguistic heritage. Subsequently, the Assam state cabinet, on October 8, passed a resolution celebrating this milestone and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “significant gesture towards Assam’s cultural and language heritage.” This latest linguistic policy reinforces the state’s commitment to preserving Assamese identity while also respecting the linguistic rights of minority regions through tailored official language use.

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Editor03 mins

India, US Finalise Phase-One Trade Deal Terms Amid Tariff Tensions; Aim for $500 Billion Trade by 2030

India and the United States have finalised the terms of reference for the initial phase of a long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement, according to a report by Reuters citing an Indian trade official. The development comes as both nations aim to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 under the ambitious “Mission 500” initiative. This agreement follows an earlier commitment made in February, when both countries agreed to collaborate on the first stage of the trade pact and finalise it by the end of 2025. The initial deal is seen as a strategic step toward expanding cooperation in key sectors such as energy, critical minerals, technology, and manufacturing. The progress comes in the backdrop of rising trade tensions, especially after the US, under President Donald Trump, imposed 26% reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods earlier this month. However, Trump has since announced a 90-day pause on further tariff hikes for major trading partners, including India, giving both sides room to negotiate. In response, India has revised its tariff structure, reducing import duties on approximately 8,500 industrial items. Notably, the tariff cuts include American exports such as bourbon whiskey and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, seen as a goodwill gesture to ease bilateral strains. The phase-one agreement underscores both countries’ intent to align on trade policies and deepen economic ties. India is reportedly considering zero-duty imports from the US in selected sectors, especially under its Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes that aim to attract global manufacturers and integrate India into global supply chains. This reset in trade relations comes after President Trump’s April 2 announcement of “Liberation Day”, during which he unveiled a sweeping 10% base tariff on all imports, targeting countries with significant trade surpluses with the US. The executive order, effective April 5, is part of a broader protectionist shift aimed at revitalising domestic industry, with China being the primary focus. The evolving India–US trade dynamic signals a strategic economic realignment, with both nations seeking to reduce dependence on China and strengthen their roles in global trade architecture.

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Editor03 mins

ED Issues Second Summons to Robert Vadra in Shikhopur Land Deal Case; Vadra Alleges Political Vendetta

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday issued a second summons to businessman Robert Vadra in connection with a money laundering investigation related to the Shikhopur land deal in Haryana. The summons comes days after Vadra failed to appear before the agency following an earlier notice issued on April 8. In a show of defiance, Vadra, accompanied by supporters and Congress workers, marched to the ED office, asserting his innocence and calling the case a politically motivated attack. “Whenever I talk for the people, they try to suppress me. It’s a political vendetta. I have nothing to hide,” he said. He further claimed that the case has been repeatedly used to target him and his family, particularly when he expresses interest in entering active politics. “People love me and want me to join politics. When I express that willingness, they bring up old issues to divert from real problems,” he added. Vadra also stated that he has been summoned 15 times and interrogated for over 10 hours each time over the past 20 years, and that his legal team is compiling 23,000 documents to support his defense. Meanwhile, Congress supporters present at the ED office chanted slogans accusing the ruling BJP of misusing central agencies. One of the popular chants was, “Jab jab Modi darta hai, ED ko aage karta hai,” implying that the agency is being used to silence dissent and target opposition voices. The case pertains to a 2008 land transaction in Shikohpur village near Gurgaon, where Vadra’s company Skylight Hospitality purchased around three acres of land for Rs 7.5 crore. Later, the Haryana town planning department issued a letter of intent to develop a commercial colony on 2.71 acres of the plot. Subsequently, Skylight entered into an agreement with DLF to sell the land for Rs 58 crore, and the sale deed was registered in favor of DLF. Once Vadra deposes before the ED, the agency is expected to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), according to sources cited by news agency PTI. He has previously been questioned by the ED in connection with another money laundering case.

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Editor03 mins

India’s Inflation Drops to 67-Month Low of 3.34% in March; Economists Expect Further Rate Cut in June

India’s retail inflation eased sharply to 3.34 percent in March, marking a 67-month low, down from 3.61 percent in February, according to official data released on April 11. The drop is largely attributed to a continued decline in food inflation, offering some relief to households and reinforcing expectations of further monetary easing by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is the second consecutive month that inflation has remained below the RBI’s target rate of 4 percent. The latest figures come just a week after the central bank implemented its second consecutive interest rate cut, lowering the policy rate by 25 basis points to 6 percent, compared to 6.5 percent at the beginning of the year. Radhika Rao, Senior Economist at DBS Bank, noted that despite a firmer core inflation, the headline inflation for the January–March quarter undershot the RBI’s projections significantly. “This validates the central bank’s decision to shift to an accommodative stance, along with a rate cut at the April meeting. We maintain our call for further easing in June,” she said. With inflation easing and staying below the target range, economists are increasingly optimistic about another rate cut in June, as the RBI continues to balance growth support with inflation control in a recovering economy.

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Editor02 mins

Mehul Choksi Owes Rs 63 Lakh in Unpaid Maintenance Charges for Mumbai Property, Says Society Member

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, wanted in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has reportedly failed to pay maintenance charges amounting to around Rs 63 lakh for his property in Gokul Apartments, located in the upscale Malabar Hill area of Mumbai. The revelation was made by a member of the housing society, as quoted by news agency ANI on Monday. According to the society member, Choksi owns three units in the building, occupying the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors. It was alleged that the 11th floor is a terrace area, which Choksi has illegally occupied. He has not paid maintenance dues for over seven years, and the total amount without interest stands at approximately Rs 63 lakh. Additionally, the society undertook major renovation work in 2020, costing Rs 30-35 lakh per unit, which brings the total financial burden related to Choksi’s units to around Rs 95 lakh. The member further raised concerns about vegetation growing unchecked inside the flat. “Big trees have started growing in the flat, and the roots could damage the structural integrity of the building,” he said, noting that the society is being forced to bear the consequences of Choksi’s negligence. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier attached the property as part of the ongoing legal proceedings. The ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are pursuing Choksi in connection with the Rs 13,850 crore PNB fraud case. Investigators allege that between 2014 and 2017, Choksi and his associates conspired with certain PNB officials to fraudulently obtain letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit, resulting in a loss of Rs 6,097.63 crore to the bank. On April 12, Belgian authorities confirmed Choksi’s arrest and stated that he is currently in detention. India has submitted an extradition request along with two open-ended arrest warrants, issued by a special Mumbai court in 2018 and 2021, to the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice. So far, the ED has attached or seized assets worth Rs 2,565.90 crore belonging to Choksi. The court has granted permission for the monetisation of these properties, in a bid to recover losses and pursue justice in the high-profile financial fraud case.

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Editor04 mins

Meghna Gulzar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Prithviraj Sukumaran Collaborate on Crime Thriller Daayra

The last time Meghna Gulzar and Kareena Kapoor Khan explored the crime thriller genre, their respective contributions received significant acclaim. Gulzar directed the riveting investigative drama Talvar, while Khan showcased her talent in the intense crime thrillers Jaane Jaan and The Buckingham Murders. This time, with the addition of Prithviraj Sukumaran, known for his stellar performances in critically acclaimed Malayalam thrillers like Mumbai Police and Memories, their collaboration promises to deliver a distinct and original narrative. Junglee Pictures, which had previously worked with Gulzar on Talvar and Raazi, reunites with the director for their third project together: Daayra. Currently in pre-production, this crime drama — co-written by Yash and Sima — marks the first collaboration between Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The combination of these accomplished talents has already generated significant anticipation for the project. Gulzar, speaking on the upcoming film, expressed her excitement about working with co-writers Sima and Yash. She noted the challenge and thrill of exploring the complex grey areas within the black-and-white nature of the narrative. As the lead characters come to life through the performances of Khan and Sukumaran, the dynamics of the story are poised to elevate further. Sukumaran, equally impressed by Gulzar’s screenplay, shared his enthusiasm for the project. He believes that Daayra is a layered narrative that will resonate with audiences. The actor, who is known for his compelling roles in crime dramas, emphasized that working with Meghna Gulzar, Junglee Pictures, and an actor of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s caliber would be a remarkable collaborative experience. He also highlighted how the film delves deep into societal norms, the world of crime, and the complexities of punishment. Currently celebrating her 25th year in cinema, Kareena Kapoor Khan is consciously stepping away from traditional star-driven vehicles, instead choosing to collaborate with directors like Hansal Mehta and Sujoy Ghosh. Meghna Gulzar, with her ability to craft powerful and socially relevant narratives, is seen as an ideal creative partner for Khan at this stage in her career. The actress is eager to begin filming Daayra, describing it as “a powerful and timely film of our times.”

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