If you are dreaming of buying the next Samsung phone or laptop, then this news is for you. More than 48,000 employees of Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip maker, are going to go on a historic 18-day strike. This strike is not a minor protest. This will be the biggest strike in the company’s 50-year history and it could affect not only Samsung but technology lovers all over the world. The question is, what difference will the strike by South Korean company make to you in India?

Why is there a strike in the world’s second largest mobile manufacturing company?

This entire controversy is about performance bonus. Actually, due to the boom of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Samsung is getting huge demand for semiconductor chips. The company’s operating profit has increased by more than eight and a half times as compared to the first quarter of last year. The company became the second Asian company in the world whose market value crossed 1 trillion dollars (about Rs 96.93 lakh crore). But the employees say that the company is not sharing these record profits with them properly.

Currently, Samsung caps the performance bonus at 50 percent of the employee’s annual salary. In such a situation, employees are making three big demands:

• this cap should be completely finished
• Employees should get 15 percent of operating profit as bonus.
• The entire method of bonus calculation should be transparent and legally institutionalized.

The real root of the dispute is Samsung’s rival company SK Hynix. SK Hynix last year abolished the 10-year-old cap on its bonuses and started paying 10 percent of operating profits as bonus to its employees. Samsung employees say that because of this, SK Hynix employees are earning three times more bonus than them.

What happened in the conversation so far?

The South Korean government also used all its strength to avert this strike. President Lee Jae-myung himself told a cabinet meeting that workers’ rights should not be “weaponized for collective gain,” and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok warned that the strike could cause “deep wounds to the entire national economy.”

Despite this the matter did not work out. On May 20, talks brokered by the National Labor Relations Commission broke down. The union accepted the commission proposal, but Samsung management rejected it. Samsung said the union’s demands “violate the company’s core principles of performance-based compensation.” After this, Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon himself tried to mediate at the last moment, but no solution was found.

The court also intervened in this matter. On Samsung’s petition, Suwon District Court ordered that 7,087 employees will have to remain on duty during the strike for safety and essential work.

What impact will the strike at Samsung have on the world?

This is the most important question but there is no need to panic, because the prices of Samsung devices will not increase immediately. Samsung and other big tech companies currently have buffer stock of chips, due to which there will be no impact on production for a few weeks. But if the strike continues for full 18 days, the situation may change.

Samsung holds 36 percent of the global DRAM market and 32 percent of the NAND market. According to KB Securities analyst Jeff Kim, the 18-day strike could affect worldwide DRAM supply by 3 to 4 percent and NAND supply by 2 to 3 percent. These figures may seem small, but at a time when the market is already struggling with a supply shortage, they can push prices up sharply.

Chen Li-Bai, chairman of Taiwanese memory company ADATA, says that ‘prices will definitely increase’ and memory chip shortages will persist in 2026 and 2027. Jordan Kline of Mizuho Securities estimates that memory supply will be much less than demand in 2026 and 2027. Research firm SemiAnalysis expects memory chip prices to more than double by the end of this year compared to 2025.

This will also have a deep impact on the economy of South Korea. Samsung alone accounts for about a quarter of the country’s total exports. According to an estimate, in the worst case, Korea’s GDP growth may be reduced by 0.5 percent and there may be a loss of up to 100 trillion won (about 67 billion dollars).

What will be the impact on Samsung lovers in India?

According to experts, this strike can prove to be a double blow for Indian customers:

1. Impact of chip shortage: India is already facing a serious shortage of memory chips. The prices of DRAM and NAND chips have increased four to five times in the last few quarters. The result is that the share of memory in the bill of materials of many devices has increased from 7-10 percent to 35 percent. Indian electronics manufacturers have reduced their production by 10 to 20 percent for the remaining period of 2026.
2. Direct hit on smartphone prices: All India Mobile Retail Association (AIMRA) has warned that the prices of 80 percent of smartphone models sold in India may soon increase, which may be up to 15 percent on an average. Samsung has already increased prices by 3 to 22 percent on many of its models, while other brands like Oppo (6-18%), Xiaomi (3-15%) and Realme (up to 12%) have also increased prices.

Apart from this, the rising prices of memory will have the biggest impact on budget smartphones and laptops priced below $500 (about Rs 42,000). The share of memory in the total cost of these devices has reached 25 percent, due to which companies are focusing on premium products instead of making entry-level devices. In India, smartphones priced at Rs 10,000 have directly reached Rs 14,000, that is, an increase of up to 40 percent.

Will Samsung phones made in India remain cheap?

Samsung’s world’s largest mobile plant is in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where it has the capacity to make 12 crore phones annually. Galaxy S26 series is also being manufactured in this plant, but one important thing has to be understood here. This plant only does assembly work. The original memory chips come from Korean factories only. So even if the phone is made in Noida, Indian customers will also have to bear the impact of the rising price of the chip. Experts say that this shortage of memory chips is not likely to end before the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.

At present, talks are going on between Samsung and the union. The union has said that it will be ready for talks even during the strike. Samsung management has also said that there should not be a strike under any circumstances.

SBI Bank Services: State Bank of India has warned its customers to keep in mind the dates if there is any work related to the bank in the coming days. In the coming few days, bank work is going to be halted for 4 days. This is because the bank employees are going to go on strike in the coming days, due to which no work related to the bank will be able to be done.

When will the strike happen?
AISBISF i.e. All India State Bank of India Staff Federation has said that all the staff of SBI will be on strike on 25th and 26th May. The strike will be for two days but bank work is going to be suspended for 4 days. This is because 23rd May is the fourth Saturday and 24th May is a Sunday holiday. After this, the employees will be on strike on the next two days i.e. Monday and Tuesday. Due to which all the work of the bank will come to a halt for 4 days.

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Why are the employees striking?
AISBISF has said that this strike is being done to resolve long standing issues. The staff has been troubled for the last several days due to problems related to shortage of staff, job conditions, recruitment rules and pension. The union alleges that the problems of the working employees have not been properly addressed and many agreements reached earlier have not been implemented yet. In the notice given to the Chairman of SBI on May 2, the Federation has said that this strike will be conducted under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

Branch related services will remain closed
Let us tell you that this strike will not affect online services in any way. Because of this, only branch related work will not be possible. Facilities like deposit of cheque, cash deposit are going to remain closed for these 4 days. Whereas digital services will always function the same.

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A big update has come amid the ongoing war between America and Israel with Iran. Donald Trump has said that on the appeal of Tehran, America is stopping attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure for 10 days.

what did donald trump say
Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, “At the request of the Iranian government, I am suspending the period of destruction of energy centers for 10 days until 8 pm on Monday, April 6, 2026.” Apart from this, Trump indicated that talks are continuing and signs of progress are visible. “Negotiations are ongoing and progressing very well,” he said. Donald Trump refuted the false statements appearing in the media coverage of the war.

Trump has made this announcement without any conditions
This ceasefire of America may provide an opportunity for secret diplomacy. This announcement comes after weeks of American-Israeli attacks on Iran. The purpose of these attacks was to weaken Tehran’s military and economic capability. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, including targeting US bases and allied infrastructure, escalating the conflict to a regional war.

However, it is not yet clear whether this 10-day pause will lead to a ceasefire or will prove to be just a temporary measure to reduce tension. Trump’s statement did not specify any conditions for extending the pause, but the mention of Iran’s appeal indicates some degree of dialogue between the two sides, directly or indirectly.

On March 22, Trump had warned Iran that if the Strait of Hormuz was not reopened within 48 hours, the US would attack their energy infrastructure. Trump had said that if Hormuz is not completely free from threats, he will target the biggest power stations.

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On Tuesday (March 3), America tested the Doomsday ballistic missile off the California coast amid the ongoing war with Iran. According to the New York Post report, the Minuteman III ballistic missile was launched at 11 pm from the Bandenberg Space Force Base near Santa Barbara.

According to the US Space Force, the rocket, known as GT 254, fell on its target near the Marshall Islands in the west-central Pacific Ocean. According to the Force Global Strike Command, the missile was fired to verify readiness and accuracy.

Air Force Global Strike Command said, “Tuesday’s test-launch was routine and was planned many years ago. Let us tell you that the Minuteman III missile is a part of America’s nuclear triangle. It has the capability to launch a world-destroying weapon from land, sea and air. It is designed to prevent nuclear war.

How powerful is the Minuteman III ballistic missile?
The Minuteman III ballistic missile is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon 20 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Minuteman III is America’s oldest ICBM, which has been in use since the 1970s and is launched from the ground. Can hit a distance of 13,000 kilometers. Nuclear warhead can be installed in it, but there was no weapon in this test.

America has about 400 such missiles, which are part of its defense against countries like Russia and China. This missile is known by the name Minuteman because it is ready in 1 minute. America is planning to replace it with a new missile by 2030, but till then these tests will continue.

What did the American official tell?
Lieutenant Colonel Carey Ray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, said that this test helped in assessing the efficiency of different parts of the missile system. He said that through such tests the ground part of the country’s nuclear power can be further strengthened.

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Iran used cluster bomb against Israel! Why were questions raised on the role of Russia and China?

Due to the ongoing American-Israeli attacks on Iran, oil supplies to China are at risk. In such a situation, the deep energy relations between Tehran and Beijing are currently going through the most difficult phase in many years. This is being considered a big threat to the Chinese economy. Beijing has strongly condemned the attacks on Tehran and called for a ceasefire, but China has avoided any economic retaliation as it could threaten China’s energy supply chain.

‘China reduced Iranian oil purchases’
According to NDTV report, Beijing buys more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports. This was equivalent to about 1.38 million barrels per day in 2025, which was about 13 to 14 percent of China’s total seaborne crude oil imports. This risk is quite big. Although Iran is not the only country. China’s two largest oil suppliers are Russia and Saudi Arabia. Since tensions escalated, Chinese refinery companies have quietly reduced purchases of Iranian oil and have become more dependent on Russian oil available at discounted rates to keep oil supplies stable.

Balakrishnan, co-founder of Avalon Intelligence, called Tehran’s retaliation a historic strategic mistake. According to him, Iran is not only facing a powerful military alliance, but it is also jeopardizing its important role as a vital link in China’s energy and geopolitical architecture in West Asia.

’25 year cooperation agreement in danger’
Iran has a 25-year cooperation agreement with Beijing, covering energy, infrastructure and transportation corridors linked to the Belt and Road Initiative. Subsidized shipments of crude, often sent through complex trade channels amid Western sanctions, have given China a stable base of supply. Balakrishnan argues that Iran’s missile attacks on American assets in the Middle East could be strategically counterproductive.

‘Targeting American assets is a big mistake’
“By targeting US assets on Arab soil, Tehran has angered neutral parties and intensified the regional tilt towards the US-Israel alliance,” he said. This change limits Iran’s diplomatic scope and increases difficulties in China’s efforts to balance the entire region.

The biggest threat to Beijing is the Strait of Hormuz. About 44 percent of China’s oil imports come from the Middle East. Any obstruction in this important sea route would be many times greater than Iran’s direct share in imports from China.

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The strike of workers at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) refinery located in Panipat, Haryana raises many serious questions. 12 hour duty, delay in salary and lack of basic facilities are unjust conditions for any worker. Workers are demanding not just wages, but respectable working conditions and human rights. Kumari Selja, who is associated with the Indian National Congress, described it as ‘slave-like behaviour’. I believe that 12 hours of continuous duty is appropriate only when proper pay, rest and facilities are ensured, otherwise it would amount to labor exploitation.

US President Donald Trump has intensified Operation Southern Spear after taking military action on Venezuela. Boats allegedly loaded with drugs were attacked by US forces in the Pacific and Caribbean Sea, killing 11 people.

According to Press TV reports, two boats carrying four people each were attacked in the eastern Pacific Ocean, while a third boat carrying three people was also attacked in the Caribbean Sea. The US military attacked three alleged drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, killing 11 people.

Action under Operation Southern Spear
The US Southern Command posted a video of the operation on Monday (February 16) and issued a statement on Twitter, saying that intelligence was received that these ships were passing through notorious routes for drug smuggling and were also involved in drug smuggling activities.

Let us tell you that these attacks are the latest in a series of controversial military operations. At least 145 narco terrorists (people involved in drug dealing) have reportedly been killed so far under the Operation Southern Spear campaign launched by the US Army from September 2025. US Southern Command said it had targeted smugglers allegedly carrying drugs along smuggling routes.

US Army released video
US Southern Command says that these three boats were being operated by designated terrorist organizations. Two boats carrying four people each were attacked in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, while a third boat carrying three people was attacked in the Caribbean Sea. The US Army has also released a video of the attacks on boats.

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Will children under 16 years of age not be able to use social media? Indian government will take a big decision soon, know everything

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and 10 major central trade unions of the country have called for Bharat Bandh on 12 February. This bandh has been called in protest against the India-US interim trade agreement, the economic policies of the central government and new labor laws. The movement has the support of many national unions including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS. Organizations claim that around 30 crore workers can participate in this strike.

Many bank unions are also joining in support of the bandh, due to which banking services are expected to be affected. Unions like AIBEA, AIBOA and BEFI have decided to join the strike, due to which the work in public sector banks may be affected.

On which issues is Bharat Bandh observed?

Farmers, laborers and employee organizations have raised many demands regarding the policies of the central government. Major demands include opposition to the India-US interim trade agreement, demand for withdrawal of four new labor codes, opposition to privatization of government undertakings, restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS), increase in minimum wages, protection of rights of construction and power sector workers and changes in agricultural policies. Bus, auto-rickshaw and truck unions in many states are also likely to join the strike, which could have a widespread impact on transport services.

Which services will be affected?

Transport services may be affected in many states. Public and private transport may be disrupted due to support from bus, auto and truck unions. There is a possibility of impact on the traffic system in big cities. In banking services, counter services in public sector banks may remain slow and delay in check clearance is possible. However, banks will not remain formally closed. Online banking, digital payments and ATM services will continue as normal. Markets and business may also be affected.

Many trade organizations and markets have supported the strike, due to which wholesale and retail markets may remain partially or completely closed. In government offices, there may be less presence of employees in departments influenced by trade unions, due to which the work may slow down. The local administration can take decisions regarding schools and colleges as per the situation. Due to transport and security reasons, holiday may be declared in some districts.

Which services will remain normal?

Hospitals, ambulances and other emergency services will continue as normal. Fire department, air travel and airport operations will not be affected. Digital banking and ATM services will also remain operational.

Will banks remain closed on 12th February?

February 12 has not been declared an official holiday by the Reserve Bank of India or any bank. Branches will remain open, but there may be partial disruption in services due to union participation. If you are planning to go out on 12th February, then check the condition of the transport system of your city in advance. If possible, handle banking tasks online and check local updates before going to the market or government office.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has denied the news of attack on Kharkiv city of Ukraine and called them false. The ministry said in a statement that reports of an alleged attack on the city of Kharkiv by Russian armed forces on January 2 this year are completely false.

The ministry said the Russian armed forces neither planned nor carried out any missile or air strikes inside the city on January 2, Sputnik reported. The statement said the claim of the Russian attack on Kharkov was aimed at diverting international attention from the brutal terrorist attack carried out by Ukrainian armed forces on civilians in the Khorly settlement of Kherson on January 1.

What did the Ukrainian President say
On Friday (January 2), after the Russian Foreign Ministry informed about the Ukrainian drone attack in the Kherson region, the Ukrainian President claimed that two missiles fired from Moscow hit the city of Kharkiv. Zelensky posted on Twitter strongly condemning the Russian attack, saying it had caused massive damage by targeting a residential area.

Zaleski further said in the post that a heinous attack by Russia on Kharkiv. Initial reports suggest that two missiles fell in a general residential area. A building has been badly damaged and rescue operations are underway. He also said that the exact number of casualties is not yet known.

Russia accused of attack
Ukrainian drone strikes hit a cafe and a hotel during New Year celebrations in the Kherson region, killing at least 24 people, including a child, and injuring more than 50, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry alleged that the attack was carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He called it another terrorist act by Kiev against civilians.

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Before New Year’s Eve, today (31st December), gig workers (all delivery workers including Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart) have announced a strike across the country. In such a situation, there may be problems in ordering food for the New Year party and in online delivery. Gig workers are on strike demanding fair wages, safety and many other demands.

National General Secretary of Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) Sheikh Salauddin said that today gig workers across the country will keep all app-based platforms off and hold peaceful demonstrations at major places. Let us tell you that people doing online delivery are called gig workers.

He told that on December 25, online platform companies were given a strike warning, but no talks were held with the gig workers, nor were any security and working hours fixed. That is why strike has become necessary again today on 31st December. He said that online platform companies are silent on all these demands. The government should immediately intervene regarding the demands of gig workers.

‘It became difficult to get incentives’
Sheikh Salauddin said that this is not just a protest but a fight for the survival and basic rights of gig workers. The salary of gig workers has been reduced based on the orders received. Apart from this, compensation based on distance and time has also been reduced. He said that by doing this it has become difficult for the workers to get incentives and it has been changed arbitrarily. The result is that gig workers are earning less than before and having to work more to fulfill orders.

‘Gig workers are being exploited’
He also said that gig workers are being exploited through online algorithms. 10 minute delivery means more delivery pressure. In such a situation, there is a risk of accidents and mental stress due to driving at high speed. Gig workers are not machines but giving incentives for working long hours, all these things force them to work for 10-10 hours.

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