June 11, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Tag: politics

Trump Bids Farewell to Elon Musk in Oval Office as DOGE Tenure Ends

President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday, May 31, 2025, marking the end of Musk’s controversial yet high-profile stint leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The billionaire entrepreneur is stepping away from government service to refocus on his companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and social media platform X. During the ceremony, President Trump praised Musk for ushering in a “colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington.” He credited Musk with cutting numerous federal contracts and reshaping the bureaucracy, though some of Musk’s team members will remain within the administration. Dressed in all black and wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “The Dogefather,” Musk accepted a ceremonial key from the president and expressed his ongoing support. “I think the DOGE team is doing an incredible job,” he said. “They’re going to continue to be doing an incredible job.” Musk’s tenure left a polarizing legacy. While he achieved deep cuts across federal agencies, including significant reductions at USAID—leading researchers at Boston University to estimate that hundreds of thousands may have died due to the loss of humanitarian aid—he fell short of his bold financial promises. Initially vowing to slash $1–2 trillion in federal spending, Musk later revised the goal to $150 billion. The DOGE website currently claims $175 billion in savings, though its accuracy has been questioned. Despite the mixed results, Trump hailed Musk’s efforts as “the most sweeping and consequential government reform effort in generations” and hinted that Musk’s influence would persist. “He’s really not leaving,” Trump said, suggesting Musk would continue to advise the administration informally. Notably, Musk appeared with a bruise near his right eye, which he attributed to playful roughhousing with his young son. “I said, go ahead, punch me in the face. And he did,” Musk told reporters. The world’s richest man and Trump’s top donor in the 2024 presidential election, Musk recently stated he would scale back political donations. While his government role was always intended to be temporary, Musk had mused about staying on part-time. He has remained optimistic about DOGE’s future without him, calling it “a way of life—like Buddhism.” In a social media post the evening before the farewell, Trump summed up his admiration: “This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific!”

Read More
Editor04 mins

Mamata Banerjee Slams PM Modi Over Murshidabad Remarks, Challenges BJP to Immediate Elections

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, accusing him of spreading falsehoods and using the recent Murshidabad violence to divide the country for political gain. She also threw down the gauntlet to the BJP, saying her party—the Trinamool Congress (TMC)—is ready to face elections immediately. Speaking at a public gathering, Banerjee said, “What Modi ji said today, we are not only shocked but also very sad to hear, especially when the Opposition is representing the country.” Her comments came in response to a BJP leader’s vow to replicate “Operation Sindoor” in West Bengal through a proposed “Operation Bengal.” Challenging the BJP directly, Banerjee said: “If they have guts, go into elections tomorrow. We are ready, and Bengal is ready to accept your challenge.” Calling the BJP the “Jumla Party,” Banerjee accused the Prime Minister of turning sensitive national security issues and women-centric campaigns into electoral stunts. Referring to Operation Sindoor, she said, “Don’t insult women, Narendra Modi, by giving them sindoor. Women accept sindoor only from their husbands. Why should they take it from you? Why haven’t you given sindoor to your own Mrs first?” Describing the campaign as “foul and hollow gimmicks,” Banerjee dismissed it as a facade meant to manipulate public sentiment ahead of elections. “This is nothing more than a typhoon of fake drama meant to distract from real issues,” she declared. The political atmosphere in Bengal continues to heat up as both the BJP and TMC escalate rhetoric in the wake of communal tensions and upcoming electoral calculations.

Read More
Editor03 mins

Federal Court Reinstates Trump’s Tariffs After Lower Court Rules Them Unlawful

In a swift legal turnaround, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reinstated former President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign imports just a day after the U.S. Court of International Trade declared them unlawful. The appeals court granted a temporary stay on the lower court’s ruling, allowing the tariffs—announced on April 2 and branded by Trump as “Liberation Day” duties—to remain in effect while the federal government pursues its appeal. The trade court had previously ruled that Trump overstepped his authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), asserting that the act was not intended for long-standing trade deficits. The three-judge panel concluded that invoking IEEPA to declare a national emergency and unilaterally impose tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners—including Canada, Mexico, and China—was unlawful. These tariffs were also tied to efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking, but the court found the justification legally insufficient. Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel at the Liberty Justice Center—which represents five small businesses in one of the combined suits—stated that Trump chose IEEPA for its broad powers and lack of congressional oversight. “The court saw through that,” Schwab said. The second lawsuit was filed by a coalition of 12 U.S. states, while a separate federal case led to a more limited injunction protecting two Illinois-based toy companies. Following the initial ruling, financial markets reacted with cautious optimism, hopeful for tariff relief. However, the reinstatement of the duties means the U.S. average tariff rate remains near 15%, according to Oxford Research—significantly higher than the 2-3% rate before Trump’s original tenure. In response, Trump blasted the trade court’s decision as an attack on presidential authority. “If allowed to stand, this would completely destroy Presidential Power,” he wrote on social media, adding that only foreign governments—not Americans—celebrated the ruling. Echoing this sentiment, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the administration is prepared to shift to other legal avenues if IEEPA is ruled out entirely. Navarro outlined several alternatives, including Section 301 of the Trade Act for unfair trade practices and Section 232 for national security-based tariffs—both of which were used during Trump’s earlier term. Other, less common options include Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, allowing short-term tariffs to protect the dollar, and Section 338 of the 1930 Tariff Act, which permits retaliatory tariffs against discriminatory foreign policies. As legal battles continue in at least seven different cases, the uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy remains high. Businesses warn of supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and even existential threats, while the appeals court’s final decision looms large over the future of presidential trade authority.

Read More
Editor04 mins

Shashi Tharoor Hits Back at Critics Over Surgical Strike Remark, Says Words Were Twisted

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has lashed out at his detractors—both within and outside his party—for misinterpreting his recent statement regarding India’s cross-border surgical strikes. Tharoor had earlier remarked that India conducted its first cross-LoC surgical strike in 2016 under the Narendra Modi government following the Uri terror attack. His comments, made during a speech in Panama City as part of the Centre’s global anti-terrorism outreach, triggered a sharp backlash from the Congress. Responding to the criticism, Tharoor took to social media platform X to clarify that his remarks referred specifically to retaliatory actions against terrorist attacks, not to past military operations or wars. “For those zealots fulminating about my supposed ignorance of Indian valour across the LoC in the past,” he wrote, “I was clearly and explicitly speaking only about reprisals for terrorist attacks and not about previous wars.” Tharoor explained that earlier governments had exercised restraint in responding to cross-border terror threats, maintaining respect for the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB). He emphasized that his comments were contextualized by a reference to a string of terror incidents in recent years and the evolving nature of India’s response. Dismissing the outrage directed at him, Tharoor said, “Critics and trolls are welcome to distort my views and words as they see fit. I genuinely have better things to do.” The controversy has further deepened the divide between Tharoor and the Congress leadership, especially as tensions simmered over his decision to lead a multi-party delegation as part of the Centre’s Operation Sindoor initiative. His presence in the outreach program had already drawn ire from sections of the party that accused him of aligning too closely with the ruling BJP on foreign policy matters. Despite the backlash, Tharoor reiterated in Panama that the 2016 surgical strikes represented a turning point in India’s response to cross-border terrorism. “For the first time, India breached the Line of Control between India and Pakistan to conduct a surgical strike on a terror base, a launch pad, following the Uri strike,” he said, underlining a shift in deterrence strategy. As internal dissent continues, Tharoor remains defiant, standing by his words while challenging critics to engage with the substance of his arguments rather than resorting to distortion.

Read More
Editor04 mins

Elon Musk Steps Down from White House Role Leading Government Efficiency Effort

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced the conclusion of his role as a Special Government Employee in the Trump administration, marking his official exit from the White House. Musk had been serving as an advisor to President Donald Trump and was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a body formed to streamline federal operations and reduce wasteful spending. In a post shared on X, the social media platform he owns, Musk thanked President Trump for the opportunity to lead DOGE, saying, “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending. The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” During his tenure, Musk spearheaded initiatives aimed at downsizing the federal workforce and aligning operations with the administration’s cost-cutting goals. However, in a recent appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, Musk voiced his concerns over President Trump’s flagship legislative proposal—a sweeping tax and immigration bill—which he claimed could undermine DOGE’s objectives by significantly increasing the national deficit. Describing the bill as a “large spending package,” Musk questioned whether it could be both impressive and effective, adding that he was disappointed by its potential long-term fiscal impact. His comments echoed sentiments shared by several Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who acknowledged Musk’s frustrations and emphasized the need for greater fiscal responsibility. Responding to Musk’s concerns from the Oval Office, President Trump defended the bill, admitting it had both positive and problematic aspects. He noted that the legislation was not yet finalized and that changes could still be made as it undergoes debate in the Senate, following its recent passage in the House. Musk’s departure underscores ongoing divisions within the administration and Republican ranks over government spending, even as DOGE’s vision for greater efficiency continues to gain attention.

Read More
Editor03 mins

North Korea Condemns U.S. “Golden Dome” Missile Shield Plan as a Threat to Global Security

North Korea has sharply criticized the United States’ newly unveiled “Golden Dome” missile defense system, calling it a “very dangerous threatening initiative” and accusing Washington of attempting to militarize outer space under the guise of national defense. In a statement released Tuesday by the Institute for American Studies under North Korea’s Foreign Ministry, Pyongyang described the plan as “an outer space nuclear war scenario” and a product of “America First” arrogance. The remarks were carried by North Korea’s state-run news agency, KCNA. The criticism comes just a week after U.S. President Donald Trump, on May 20, formally revealed the design and leadership of the ambitious $175 billion Golden Dome initiative. The system aims to deploy a global network of satellites equipped with advanced sensors and interceptors, capable of neutralizing enemy missiles shortly after launch — particularly those from China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. “This system is a typical manifestation of U.S. hegemonic ambitions, threatening the strategic security balance among nuclear states,” the North Korean statement said, warning of “grave consequences” if the U.S. proceeds with development. China also expressed deep concern last week, urging the U.S. to scrap the project, stating it would only escalate tensions and provoke an arms race in space. While President Trump described the initiative as “very important for the success and even survival of our country,” analysts have raised doubts about the system’s feasibility, citing enormous technical and political challenges. They note that the plan would likely face international legal scrutiny under existing treaties that prohibit the weaponization of space. The Golden Dome program, if pursued, would mark a significant evolution in U.S. missile defense strategy — and could redefine global norms on space and nuclear deterrence. For now, North Korea’s fiery condemnation underscores the fragile geopolitical environment into which the project is being launched.

Read More
Editor03 mins

पाकिस्तान की आतंक नीति ‘प्रॉक्सी वॉर’ नहीं, सोची-समझी युद्ध रणनीति है: पीएम मोदी

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने मंगलवार (27 मई 2025) को कहा कि पाकिस्तान द्वारा प्रायोजित आतंकवाद को अब ‘प्रॉक्सी वॉर’ नहीं कहा जा सकता, बल्कि यह एक सोच-समझकर अपनाई गई युद्ध नीति है, और भारत इसका उत्तर उसी के अनुरूप देगा। गुजरात सरकार के शहरी विकास कार्यक्रम के दौरान ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ का उल्लेख करते हुए प्रधानमंत्री ने कहा, “पाकिस्तान आतंकवाद के माध्यम से युद्ध लड़ रहा है। इसे प्रॉक्सी वॉर कहकर नहीं छोड़ा जा सकता, क्योंकि 6 मई की रात जिन आतंकवादियों को भारतीय सेना ने मार गिराया, उनके शवों को पाकिस्तान में राजकीय सम्मान दिया गया। उनके ताबूतों पर पाकिस्तानी झंडे लपेटे गए और सेना ने उन्हें सलामी दी। इससे यह स्पष्ट हो जाता है कि यह केवल छद्म युद्ध नहीं, बल्कि पाकिस्तान की एक सुव्यवस्थित युद्ध रणनीति है।” प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने कहा कि भारत और पाकिस्तान जब-जब आमने-सामने के युद्ध में भिड़े, भारतीय सेना ने पाकिस्तान को ऐसे हराया कि वह कभी भूल नहीं सका। “इस हार से सबक लेते हुए पाकिस्तान ने आतंकवाद को युद्ध का हथियार बना लिया। वह आतंकवादियों को सैन्य प्रशिक्षण देता है और उन्हें समर्थन देता है, ताकि प्रत्यक्ष युद्ध से बच सके।” मोदी ने पाकिस्तान की आतंक नीति की तुलना एक कांटे से की जो शरीर में चुभा हो। उन्होंने कहा, “चाहे शरीर कितना ही स्वस्थ क्यों न हो, एक कांटा लगातार दर्द देता रहता है। हमने तय किया है कि वह कांटा अब निकालना ही होगा।” उन्होंने विभाजन के समय की घटना को याद करते हुए कहा, “विभाजन के साथ ही मां भारती के दो टुकड़े कर दिए गए और उसी रात कश्मीर पर पहला आतंकी हमला हुआ। मुजाहिदीन के नाम पर पाकिस्तान ने आतंकवादियों के सहारे भारत मां के एक हिस्से पर कब्जा कर लिया। अगर उस समय इन मुजाहिदीनों को खत्म कर दिया जाता और सरदार पटेल की सलाह मान ली जाती, तो पिछले 75 वर्षों से जारी आतंक की यह कड़ी कभी बनी ही नहीं होती।”

Read More
Editor01 mins

Over 45 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Collapse; Global Condemnation Mounts

At least 45 Palestinians were killed on Monday in a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including 33 people sheltering at a school that had been converted into a refuge for displaced civilians. The Israeli military claims the building was being used as a command center by Hamas and harbored “leading terrorists.” Devastation at School-Turned-Shelter Other Strikes Across Gaza Renewed Israeli Offensive The strikes come amid a renewed offensive by Israel, which insists it will pursue the “total defeat of Hamas”, following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. Military operations have intensified even as international efforts to broker peace have stalled. International Outrage Humanitarian Crisis Escalates What’s Next? With ceasefire talks deadlocked and civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict, the international community faces growing pressure to intervene diplomatically and ensure humanitarian relief. Meanwhile, calls for accountability over strikes on civilian infrastructure continue to grow louder. This latest escalation adds to the already dire toll from the months-long war, pushing Gaza further into a state of unlivable devastation.

Read More
Editor04 mins

Russia and Ukraine Conduct Major Prisoner Swap, Set to Exchange 1,000 Each

In a rare moment of agreement amid ongoing conflict, Russia and Ukraine each released 390 prisoners on Friday, marking the largest prisoner swap of the war to date. The exchange follows the first direct talks between the two nations in over three years, which yielded no ceasefire, but did produce this notable humanitarian gesture. Key Details of the Exchange: Scenes of Relief and Emotion: In Ukraine, the freed prisoners—many pale, with shaved heads, and wrapped in Ukrainian flags—arrived at a hospital in the Chernihiv region. The emotional reunions painted a raw picture of the cost of war: On the Russian side, freed captives—including civilians captured during Ukrainian incursions into Russia’s Kursk region—arrived in Belarus, where they received medical and psychological care. Videos released by the Russian Defence Ministry showed smiling, tearful civilians and soldiers chanting patriotic slogans while waving Russian and Soviet flags. Political and Diplomatic Context: Families Still Waiting: Near the Chernihiv hospital, dozens of family members of missing Ukrainian soldiers gathered with photographs in hand, hoping for news: This exchange, though limited in scope, provides a flicker of hope in a brutal and protracted war, underscoring both the human cost of the conflict and the fragile possibilities for negotiation.

Read More
Editor04 mins

Iran-US Nuclear Talks Resume in Rome Amid Stark Standoff on Uranium Enrichment

Iran and the United States have resumed delicate nuclear negotiations in Rome, marking the fifth round of talks aimed at resolving a long-standing dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program, Iranian media reported Friday. The discussions are being mediated by Oman, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff leading the delegations. Despite both sides expressing a preference for diplomacy, the path to a deal remains fraught with deep divisions, particularly over uranium enrichment — a core sticking point that could make or break any future agreement. Key Sticking Points US Perspective White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump views the talks as “moving in the right direction.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed cautious optimism earlier in the week, stating the US hopes to strike a deal allowing for peaceful nuclear energy in Iran — but not uranium enrichment. Broader Context Tensions have soared since Trump returned to office this year, reinstating a “maximum pressure” campaign and sanctions that have severely hit Iran’s oil-dependent economy. In response, Iran has accelerated its enrichment program well beyond the JCPOA limits, a move that alarmed Western governments but which Tehran insists is solely for civilian energy needs. Expert Outlook Wendy Sherman, a former US negotiator of the 2015 nuclear deal, cast doubt on Washington’s ability to persuade Iran to give up enrichment altogether, noting that Tehran regards it as a non-negotiable symbol of sovereignty. Bottom Line:While both sides remain engaged and diplomatic efforts continue, fundamental disagreements over enrichment, sanctions, and trust suggest that a breakthrough deal remains elusive — unless one side is willing to significantly compromise. The Rome talks may be crucial, but the odds of success remain uncertain.

Read More
Editor05 mins
Switch Language »