July 27, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Tag: trendingnews

Fresh Russian Drone Strikes Reported in Ukraine Just Hours After ‘Easter Truce’ Ends

Just hours after a 30-hour Easter truce declared by Moscow came to an end, Ukraine has reported a fresh wave of Russian drone and missile attacks across multiple regions. The Ukrainian Air Force issued air raid alerts for Kyiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia as residents were urged to take shelter. Explosions in Mykolaiv and Missile Attacks Confirmed In the southern city of Mykolaiv, Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych confirmed that “explosions were heard” late Sunday night. Regional Governor Vitaliy Kim later reported that the city was struck by missiles, though no casualties or damage were recorded. Ukraine’s Air Force noted “rocket danger” in central areas and confirmed the presence of active Russian aircraft in the north-eastern and eastern regions. Air defence systems were reported to be engaged in the Kyiv area. Ceasefire Ends Amid Mutual Accusations The truce, which lasted from Saturday evening to midnight on Sunday Moscow time (21:00 GMT), was declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a temporary halt to hostilities during Orthodox Easter. However, both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of violating the ceasefire. While the Kremlin has not commented on the new wave of strikes, a Kremlin spokesperson confirmed earlier that there would be no extension of the truce beyond Sunday. Zelensky: Russian Truce Was “PR” Move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the truce as a public relations stunt, calling Putin’s words “empty.” He claimed that Russia had carried out 1,882 attacks during the ceasefire period, 812 of which involved heavy weaponry. He emphasized Ukraine’s right to respond, stating, “We will respond to silence with silence, our strikes will be to protect against Russian strikes.” Zelensky also proposed a longer pause in attacks on civilian infrastructure, suggesting a 30-day cessation of long-range drone and missile strikes with the possibility of extension. Trump Calls for Peace Deal Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump weighed in, saying he hoped Russia and Ukraine would reach a peace deal “this week,” though he provided no specifics. War Grinds On as Civilian Toll Mounts Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022. As of now, Russia controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, annexed in 2014. The conflict has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, predominantly soldiers, with no clear resolution in sight. While Putin’s ceasefire gesture appeared to offer a brief respite, the swift resumption of hostilities reinforces the deep mistrust and continued volatility along the frontlines.

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Raj Kumar Gupta Confirms Salman Khan’s Ravindra Kaushik Biopic Has Been Shelved

Filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta has officially confirmed that his ambitious biopic on Indian spy Ravindra Kaushik, which was once set to star Salman Khan, has been shelved. In a recent interview with PTI, Gupta revealed that while talks with Salman did happen, the project was eventually dropped due to expired rights. “The rights were there with me, but then the rights expired, and I didn’t renew them,” the Raid director shared. First reported in 2021, the biopic was to chronicle the life of Ravindra Kaushik, widely known as the Black Tiger, considered one of India’s greatest spies. Gupta had spent years researching Kaushik’s story and reportedly locked a compelling screenplay that Salman Khan had agreed to in principle. Meanwhile, Gupta is now focused on his upcoming release, Raid 2, which hits theatres on May 1, 2025. A sequel to the 2018 hit, the film stars Ajay Devgn reprising his role as IRS officer Amay Patnaik and features Vaani Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Rajat Kapoor, and Supriya Pathak. As for Salman Khan, he was last seen in Sikandar alongside Rashmika Mandanna and is now prepping for a film with Sanjay Dutt, reportedly titled Ganga Ram.

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Prime Accused in Murshidabad Father-Son Murder Arrested; Fourth Arrest in the Case

In a significant development, one of the prime accused in the brutal murder of a father and son in West Bengal’s violence-hit Murshidabad district has been arrested, police confirmed on Sunday. The killings took place in the Jafrabad locality of Shamsherganj during protests over the Waqf Act on April 11. The victims, identified as Harogobindo Das and his son Chandan Das, were found murdered with multiple stab wounds at their residence, sparking outrage and heightened tensions in the area. The arrest was made by the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police in coordination with the Special Investigating Team (SIT). The accused, identified as Ziaul Sheikh, a resident of Sulitala Purbapara — a village adjacent to Jafrabad — had been absconding since the day of the incident. He was apprehended from a hideout in Chopra in the Uttar Dinajpur district on Saturday. According to a senior police officer, Sheikh was among the key conspirators who allegedly instigated a mob to vandalize the victims’ residence, ultimately leading to their murder on April 12. This is the fourth arrest in connection with the double murder. Earlier, the police had taken into custody two brothers — Kalu Nadar and Dildar — as well as Inzmam Ul Haque. Kalu was arrested from Murarai in Birbhum district, while his brother Dildar was caught near the Bangladesh border under the Suti Police Station limits. The third accused, Inzmam, was detained from Suripara, another nearby village. Police claim they have obtained substantial evidence, including CCTV footage and mobile tower data, confirming Ziaul Sheikh’s presence at the crime scene. Murshidabad district has witnessed widespread violence amid the Waqf Act protests, resulting in at least three fatalities. Police have so far lodged over 100 FIRs and arrested 276 individuals in connection with the unrest. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that Hindu families were systematically targeted during the riots. In a post on social media platform X, he claimed that homes belonging to Hindu residents were marked with ink and surveilled before being set ablaze. Malviya further stated that such targeted attacks often occur on Fridays and alleged that local Muslim residents provided information to the attackers, helping them identify Hindu-owned properties.

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No GST on UPI Transactions Over ₹2,000, Clarifies Finance Ministry

The Government of India on Friday, April 18, 2025, issued a strong clarification denying reports that it plans to impose Goods and Services Tax (GST) on UPI transactions above ₹2,000. In a statement, the Finance Ministry said the reports are “completely false, misleading, and without any basis.” It added, “Currently, there is no such proposal before the government.” No MDR, No GST The Ministry reiterated that GST is only levied on charges like the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applicable to certain payment instruments. However, since January 2020, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has removed the MDR on person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions. “Since currently no MDR is charged on UPI transactions, there is consequently no GST applicable to these transactions,” the Ministry emphasized. UPI Growth and Government Incentives UPI usage has skyrocketed over the years. From ₹21.3 lakh crore in FY 2019-20, UPI transaction value reached ₹260.56 lakh crore by March 2025, showing the massive adoption of the digital payment mode. To support this surge, the government launched an incentive scheme from FY 2021-22, particularly to encourage low-value P2M UPI transactions and support small merchants. Under this scheme: These payouts underscore the government’s sustained effort to promote and support UPI-based digital transactions, the Ministry said, reaffirming that digital payments remain a top policy priority.

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Putin Meets Freed Russian Hostages, Credits Russia’s Relations with Palestinians for Their Release

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Russian nationals who were recently freed after being held hostage by the militant group Hamas during the October 2023 attacks on Israel. Putin attributed their release to Moscow’s long-standing and stable ties with Palestinian groups, including Hamas. During the meeting at the Kremlin, Putin expressed gratitude to Hamas for their role in facilitating the release, calling it a humanitarian gesture. “The fact that you are now free is a result of Russia’s many years of stable relations with the Palestinian people,” Putin said, referring to former hostage Alexander Trufanov and his family members. Trufanov, who was freed after nearly 500 days in captivity as part of ceasefire negotiations, thanked Putin for his efforts in securing his release. He also voiced hope for the freedom of all remaining hostages, whom he described as “like brothers.” Trufanov’s father was killed in the attacks, but his mother, fiancée, and grandmother were among those released in late 2023. Putin reassured the hostages and their families that Russia would continue to work to ensure the release of other captives. Russia has maintained a policy of fostering positive relations with both Israel and Palestinian factions, advocating for a two-state solution as the foundation for peace in the Middle East.

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Sunny Deol’s Jaat Gets a Sequel: Jaat 2 Announced After Box Office Success

After the resounding success of Jaat, which has grossed over ₹70 crores globally in its first week, a sequel titled Jaat 2 has been officially confirmed. Both actor Sunny Deol and director Gopichand Mallineni will return for their respective roles in the follow-up. The movie will be co-produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory. Jaat has made a significant impact at the box office, quickly heading towards the ₹100 crore mark. This marks Deol’s first release since the mega-blockbuster Gadar 2 in 2023, further cementing his status as a major box office draw. The action-packed drama is also the first collaboration between Sunny Deol and Gopichand Mallineni, who made his Bollywood debut with the film. Randeep Hooda plays the antagonist in Jaat, while Regina Cassandra, Saiyami Kher, and Vineet Kumar Singh feature in key roles. With its success, Jaat 2 promises to take the action and drama to the next level, with Mythri Movie Makers teasing a “bigger, bolder, and wilder” mission for the character this time around. No further details have been revealed about the sequel yet, but the announcement has certainly sparked excitement among fans eager for more from the Jaat universe.

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Snake, Cement & Betrayal: India Gripped by Surge in Chilling Spouse-Murder Cases

In a disturbing trend reflecting the dark fissures lurking within seemingly ordinary households, another horrifying case of spousal murder has surfaced—this time from Akbarpur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district. The case echoes a string of recent sensational crimes, including the infamous Merchant Navy murder in Meerut, where a wife and her lover killed her husband and encased his body in a cement-filled drum. In the latest spine-chilling incident, Amit, a daily wage labourer from the Bahsuma police station area, was found dead on his bed under mysterious circumstances. Initially, it appeared to be a tragic snakebite death, a theory supported by a viral video showing a snake repeatedly striking Amit’s seemingly lifeless body. But what followed shocked even seasoned investigators. A post-mortem revealed the unsettling truth: Amit had been strangled before the snake bites occurred, indicating the venomous reptile was deliberately used to mask the actual cause of death. Under interrogation, Amit’s wife, Ravita, confessed to plotting the murder with her lover Amardeep. As Amit slept, the duo allegedly strangled him to death, then bought a snake for Rs 1,000 and forced it to bite the already-dead body in an attempt to simulate a natural death. Both Ravita and Amardeep have been arrested, and the police are conducting further forensic examinations. The viral video is also being probed as potential evidence of premeditation and an attempt to manipulate the narrative. The case has drawn eerie comparisons to another gruesome incident in Meerut—the Muskan Rastogi–Saurabh Rajput murder. Muskan, aided by her lover, allegedly murdered her husband and sealed his body in a blue plastic drum filled with cement to erase all traces. That case had shocked Uttar Pradesh, and this latest revelation adds fuel to the fear that such calculated spousal killings are becoming a chilling pattern. Adding to this grim list is the infamous Uthra murder case from Kerala in 2020. Uthra, 25, was killed by her husband Sooraj S Kumar, who used a cobra to bite her while she slept at her parental home. This was his second attempt—months earlier, he had tried to kill her with a Russell’s viper. The court sentenced Sooraj to life imprisonment in 2021, calling it one of the most unusual and cold-blooded murder cases in Indian legal history. Across India, reports of missing spouses, suspicious deaths, and elaborately planned murders are surfacing with unsettling frequency. In Meerut, the spotlight on domestic violence and betrayal has once again intensified. These cases are not only stories of homicide—they are chilling warnings about the dangers of unchecked emotional violence, toxic relationships, and the sinister extremes of premeditated betrayal.

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India’s Trade Deficit with China Hits Record $99.2 Billion Amid Import Surge

India’s trade deficit with China widened to an all-time high of $99.2 billion in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, driven by a sharp increase in imports of electronics, electric vehicle batteries, solar cells, and other key industrial components—sectors in which China has a dominant role in India’s supply chains. This marks a 17% increase from the previous year’s deficit of $85.07 billion. In contrast, exports to China declined by 14.5% to $14.2 billion, falling below the levels recorded in FY14. India continues to register trade deficits with other major economies, including the UAE ($26.79 billion) and Hong Kong ($13.64 billion). Notably, India also experienced trade deficits with several free trade agreement (FTA) partners such as the UAE, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, raising concerns over the effectiveness of these agreements in promoting balanced trade. On a positive note, India recorded a trade surplus of $41.2 billion with the United States, reinforcing the US as a key export destination for Indian goods. The government is increasingly concerned about the potential dumping of Chinese goods, especially in light of the US Trump administration’s recent move to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports. Indian officials believe these goods could be redirected to Indian markets—either directly or via third countries like Vietnam and Indonesia. In response, India has activated an import monitoring mechanism to ensure prompt and timely action against such dumping practices. India’s main imports from China include electronic components, computer hardware, telecom instruments, electrical machinery, plastic raw materials, pharmaceutical ingredients, and organic chemicals. On the other hand, top exports to China comprise iron ore, petroleum products, marine items, spices, and organic chemicals. However, industry representatives have raised concerns that many raw material imports from China are under-invoiced by up to 25%, potentially skewing trade data and impacting domestic industry competitiveness.

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Yuzvendra Chahal Equals Narine’s Record with Sensational Spell as PBKS Stun KKR

In a memorable low-scoring thriller at Mullanpur, Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Yuzvendra Chahal delivered a match-winning performance, claiming 4/28 to script a 16-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With this, he equalled Sunil Narine’s record for the most four-wicket hauls (8) in IPL history. 🔥 Chahal’s Record-Breaking Spell Rashid Khan leads the T20 wicket charts with 638 wickets in 468 matches. 🏏 Match Summary 📊 Points Table Update 📢 Fan Poll Which aspect of Chahal’s game do you think is most crucial? Chahal’s spell not only brought PBKS a crucial win but also reaffirmed his legacy as one of India’s greatest white-ball spinners.

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Fraud Case Registered Against Mission Hospital Damoh Management in Fake Heart Surgeon Scandal

In a shocking development, police on Tuesday registered a case of fraud against the management of Mission Hospital in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, where fake heart surgeon Dr. Narendra Yadav—who operated under the alias Dr. N John Camm—is currently in custody for conducting unauthorized cardiac surgeries using forged documents. The case was filed against nine members of the hospital management for allegedly using forged signatures of a doctor to illegally run a cath lab within the hospital premises. Authorities have booked them under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita and the MP Nursing Homes Act. This action follows a complaint by one Krishna Patel, who approached the Human Rights Commission alleging fraudulent activities in the name of heart surgeries at the hospital. The complaint triggered an investigation that exposed a disturbing web of deceit. Patel accused Dr. Yadav of performing surgeries using a fake identity, supported by suspicious documents—his Aadhaar card reportedly listed a German national as his father and contained other questionable details. Dr. Yadav is alleged to be involved in multiple patient deaths following surgeries, raising serious concerns about the hospital’s medical practices and verification systems. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter thoroughly. The SIT is expected to produce Dr. Yadav in court again on April 17, as the investigation continues into what is turning out to be a major case of medical fraud with possible international links. The case has triggered widespread outrage and calls for stricter checks on private healthcare institutions across the state.

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