Explainer-Who are Yemen's Houthis and why are they under attack by Israel?
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE HOUTHIS?
By Maha El Dahan and Michael Georgy (Reuters) -Yemen's Houthi rebels, who were threatened with an air and naval blockade by Israel on Tuesday, are one of Iran's few allies still standing since the Gaza war spilled across the Middle East.
As friction with the government in the capital Sanaa grew, they fought a series of guerrilla wars with the national army and a brief border conflict with Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia.
WHO IS THE HOUTHI LEADER?
Abdul Malik al-Houthi created the defiant force challenging world powers from a group of ragtag mountain fighters in sandals. Al-Houthi established a reputation as a fierce battlefield commander before emerging as head of the Houthi movement.
Under the direction of al-Houthi, who is in his 40s, the group has grown into an army of tens of thousands of fighters and acquired a huge arsenal of armed drones and ballistic missiles. Saudi Arabia and the West say the arms come from Iran, though Tehran denies this.
Al-Houthi is known for rarely staying long in one place, for never meeting the media and for extreme reluctance to make scheduled public appearances.
HOW DID THE HOUTHIS COME TO CONTROL MUCH OF YEMEN?
A civil war erupted in Yemen in late 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa. Worried by the growing influence of Shi'ite Iran along its border, Saudi Arabia led a Western-backed coalition in March 2015, which intervened in support of the Saudi-backed government.
The Houthis established control over much of the north and other large population centres, while the internationally recognised government based itself in the port city of Aden.
Yemen enjoyed a period of relative calm amid a U.N.-led peace push, but a sharp escalation in regional tensions since the start of the Gaza war has increased risks of a new conflict between the militia and Riyadh.
WHY ATTACK SHIPS?
The Houthis have waded into the Gaza conflict with attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea as a show of support for the Palestinians and Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza.
They have also claimed attacks on ships they say are linked to Israel in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Houthi attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
While the militia has said it attacked only vessels with links to Israel, the United States and Britain, shipping industry sources have said all ships were at risk.
The U.S. and Britain had retaliated with air strikes against the Houthis as part of international efforts to restore the free flow of trade along a key route between Europe and Asia that accounts for about 15% of the world's shipping traffic.
A period of relative calm started in January alongside the Gaza ceasefire but the group then warned in March it would resume its naval operations if Israel did not lift a blockage of aid into Gaza.
The Houthis then announced on March 12 a resumption of attacks with immediate effect.
In May, President Donald Trump declared the U.S. would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen, saying that the group had agreed to halt interrupting important shipping lanes in the Middle East.
After Trump made the announcement, Oman said it had mediated the ceasefire deal, marking a major shift in Houthi policy since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023.
WHAT ARE THE HOUTHIS' LINKS WITH IRAN?
The Houthis are part of what has been called the 'Axis of Resistance' – an anti-Israel and anti-Western alliance of regional militias including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and armed groups in Iraq, backed by Iran.
The Houthis' slogan is 'Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam'.
The Saudi-led coalition accuses Tehran of arming and training the Houthis, a charge both deny. The coalition also says Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah is helping the Houthis, an accusation it rejects.
While Iran champions the Houthis, the Houthis deny being puppets of Iran, and Yemen experts say they are motivated primarily by a domestic agenda.
(Editing by Peter Graff, Lincoln Feast, William Maclean)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
17 minutes ago
- News18
Netanyahu Set To Unveil New War Plan, May Order 'Total Conquest Of Gaza' Gaza Ceasefire
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to propose fully reoccupying the Gaza Strip when he meets his security cabinet, Israeli media say."The die has been cast. We're going for the full conquest of the Gaza Strip – and defeating Hamas," local journalists quote a senior official to reports that the army chief and other military leaders oppose the plan, the unnamed official said: "If that doesn't work for the chief of staff, he should resign." Source: Reuters News18 Mobile App -
NDTV
44 minutes ago
- NDTV
Putin Doubts Potency Of Trump's Ultimatums To End War With Ukraine: Report
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum expiring this Friday from US President Donald Trump, and retains the goal of capturing four regions of Ukraine in their entirety, sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters. Trump has threatened to hit Russia with new sanctions and impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy its oil, of which the biggest are China and India - unless Putin agrees to a ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine. Putin's determination to keep going is prompted by his belief that Russia is winning and by scepticism that yet more US sanctions will have much of an impact after successive waves of economic penalties during 3-1/2 years of war, according to three sources familiar with discussions in the Kremlin. The Russian leader does not want to anger Trump, and he realises that he may be spurning a chance to improve relations with Washington and the West, but his war goals take precedence, two of the sources said. Putin's goal is to fully capture the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which Russia has claimed as its own, and then to talk about a peace agreement, one of the sources said. "If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions, which he has claimed for Russia, he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives," said James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book "The Return of Russia". The current talks process, in which Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have met three times since May, was an attempt by Moscow to convince Trump that Putin was not rejecting peace, the first source said, adding that the talks were devoid of real substance apart from discussions on humanitarian exchanges. Russia says it is serious about agreeing on a long-term peace in the negotiations, but that the process is complicated because the two sides' stances are so far apart. Putin last week described the talks as positive. Moscow's stated demands include a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the four regions and acceptance by Kyiv of neutral status and limits on the size of its military – demands rejected by Ukraine. In a sign that there may yet be an opportunity to strike a deal before the deadline, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia this week, following an escalation in rhetoric between Trump and Moscow over risks of nuclear war. "President Trump wants to stop the killing, which is why he is selling American-made weapons to NATO members and threatening Putin with biting tariffs and sanctions if he does not agree to a ceasefire," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in response to a request for comment. The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story. All the sources spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Trump, who in the past has praised Putin and held out the prospect of lucrative business deals between their two countries, has lately expressed growing impatience with the Russian president. He has complained about what he called Putin's "bullshit" and described Russia's relentless bombing of Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities as "disgusting". The Kremlin has said it noted Trump's statements, but it has declined to respond to them. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko last week called on the world to respond with "maximum pressure" after the worst Russian air strike of the year killed 31 people in Kyiv, including five children, in what she called Russia's response to Trump's deadline. FORCES ADVANCE The first source said Putin was privately concerned about the recent deterioration of US ties. Putin still retains the hope that Russia can again befriend America and trade with the West, and "he is worried" about Trump's irritation, this person said. But with Moscow's forces advancing on the battlefield and Ukraine under heavy military pressure, Putin does not believe now is the time to end the war, the source said, adding that neither the Russian people nor the army would understand if he stops now. Rodgers, the author, said Putin has invested his political reputation and legacy in the war in Ukraine. "We know from his previous writings and statements that he sees himself as part of a strong tradition of standing up to the West and the rest of the world to defend Russia's interests," he said. The Kremlin leader values the relationship with Trump and does not want to anger him; however, "he simply has a top priority - Putin cannot afford to end the war just because Trump wants it," the second Russian source said. A third person familiar with Kremlin thinking also said Russia wanted to take all four regions and did not see the logic in stopping at a time of battlefield gains during Russia's summer offensive. Ukraine has suffered some of its biggest territorial losses of 2025 in the past three months, including 502 square kilometres in July, according to Black Bird Group, a Finland-based military analysis centre. In total, Russia has occupied around a fifth of Ukraine. Russia's military General Staff has told Putin that the Ukrainian front will crumble in two or three months, the first person said. However, Russia's recent gains remain relatively minor in purely territorial terms, with only 5,000 square kilometres (1,930 square miles) of Ukraine taken since the start of last year, less than 1% of the country's overall territory, according to a June report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. Ukrainian and Western military sources acknowledge that Russia is making gains, but only gradually and with heavy casualties. Russian war bloggers say Moscow's forces have been bogged down during its current summer offensive in areas where the terrain and dense urban landscape favoured Ukraine, but assess that other areas should be faster to take. 'HE'S MADE THREATS BEFORE' Trump's sanctions threat was "painful and unpleasant," but not a catastrophe, the second source said. The third source said there was a feeling in Moscow that "there's not much more that they can do to us". It was also not clear if Trump would follow through on his ultimatum, this person said, adding that "he's made threats before" and then not acted, or changed his mind. The source also said it was hard to imagine that China would stop buying Russian oil on instructions from Trump, and that his actions risked backfiring by driving oil prices higher. As a consequence of previous rounds of sanctions, Russian oil and gas exporters have taken big hits to their revenues, and foreign direct investment in the country fell by 63% last year, according to UN trade data. Around $300 billion of central bank assets have been frozen in foreign jurisdictions. But Russia's ability to wage war has been unimpeded, thanks in part to ammunition supplies from North Korea and imports from China of dual-use components that have sustained a massive rise in weapons production. The Kremlin has repeatedly said that Russia has some "immunity" to sanctions. Trump has acknowledged Russia's skill in skirting the measures. "They're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens," he told reporters at the weekend, when asked what his response would be if Russia did not agree to a ceasefire. The first Russian source noted that Putin, in pursuing the conflict, was turning his back on a US offer made in March that Washington, in return for his agreement to a full ceasefire, would remove US sanctions, recognise Russian possession of Crimea - annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - and acknowledge de facto Russian control of the territory captured by its forces since 2022. The source called the offer a "fantastic chance," but said stopping a war was much more difficult than starting it.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Key: Rhisotope Project, Article 370 of the Constitution and Adivasi Rights
Important topics and their relevance in UPSC CSE exam for August 5, 2025. If you missed the August 4, 2025 UPSC CSE exam key from the Indian Express, read it here THE WORLD Israeli officials suggest annexing parts of Gaza as Doha ceasefire talks collapse Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests What's the ongoing story: Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel's next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli source suggesting more force could be an option. Key Points to Ponder: • 'Israel's reported intent to fully occupy Gaza'-What goals does it aim to achieve and at what costs? • How other countries and other international bodies responded to the occupation plan? • What are the broader geopolitical symbolism of Netanyahu's plan to fully occupy Gaza? • To what extent occupation might entrench militant resistance or weaken Hamas? • Do you think that forced displacement actually serves counter-insurgency goals or exacerbate insurgency risk? • Compare the current Gaza crisis to previous ceasefire breakdowns. • How should India balance its long-standing position on Palestine with broader geopolitical alignments? Key Takeaways: • Israel's cabinet could authorise on Tuesday a complete military takeover of Gaza for the first time in two decades, media reported, despite international pressure for a ceasefire to ease appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian territory. • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is leaning towards an expanded offensive and taking control of the entire enclave after 22 months of war against militant group Hamas, Israeli Channel 12 reported. • A senior Israeli source told Reuters on Monday that more force was an option following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas. • Seizing the entire territory would reverse a 2005 decision by Israel to pull settlers and military out of Gaza while retaining control over its borders – a move right-wing parties blame for Hamas gaining power there. • It was unclear, however, whether a potential full takeover of Gaza would entail a prolonged occupation or a short-term operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and freeing hostages. • Israel's coalition government is regarded as one of the most right-wing in its history, with the cabinet including parties that seek to annex both Gaza and the West Bank and encourage Palestinians to leave their homeland. • The country's military has throughout the war pushed back against the idea of Israel trying to fully occupy Gaza and establish military rule there, which would require it to take over long-term governance. Do You Know: • The conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, when gunmen stormed the border from Gaza, killing more than 1,200 people and seizing around 250 hostages according to Israeli tallies. • Israel's military campaign has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, killing more than 60,000 people according to Palestinian health authorities. It has forced nearly all of Gaza's over 2 million people from their homes and caused what a global hunger monitor called last week an unfolding famine. • That has caused widespread international anger and prompted several European countries to say they would recognise a Palestinian state next month if there was no ceasefire. • Inside Gaza on Tuesday, Israeli gunfire and strikes killed at least 13 Palestinians, local health authorities said, including five people in a tent in Khan Younis and three aid seekers near Rafah in the south. • Palestinians living in the last fifth of the territory where Israel has not yet taken military control via ground incursions or orders for civilians to leave said any new move to occupy the area would be catastrophic. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Israel to decide next steps in Gaza after ceasefire talks collapse Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 1. The term 'two-state solution' is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2018) (a) China (b) Israel (c) Iraq (d) Yemen Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍'India's relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.' Discuss. (2018) FRONT PAGE Champion of tribal rights, he played a pivotal role in Jharkhand struggle Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance Mains Examination: General Studies I: Salient features of Indian Society What's the ongoing story: The three-time Jharkhand CM and JMM co-founder, who passed away on Monday, leaves behind a political legacy defined as much by the statehood movement and advocacy of Adivasi rights as it is by the legal troubles he faced. Key Points to Ponder: • Personality in News-Shibu Soren • Know Shibu Soren's role in the Jharkhand statehood movement. • What was Shibu Soren's impact on tribal land and resource rights? • Which articles in the Indian Constitution specifically protect the rights of Scheduled Tribes? • How has mining and industrial expansion affected Adivasi rights and livelihoods in India? • Do you think the mainstream political system has been inclusive of Adivasi concerns? Key Takeaways: • He had only brief stints in office as Union minister and Chief Minister because of recurrent legal troubles and coalition frictions, but Shibu Soren the politician left an indelible mark on the politics of Jharkhand as a key figure of the decades-long statehood movement that ultimately led to the carving out of the state from Bihar in 2000. • Soren, popularly known as 'Guruji', passed away at 81 in Delhi Monday, but the legacy of his politics continues with his son Hemant Soren, entrenched as Jharkhand CM after a convincing victory in the Assembly elections last year. • Soren, who belonged to the Santal tribe, was born on January 11, 1944, in the Nemra village of Ramgarh in the then Bihar province. He took to public life at a young age, forming the Santal Navyuvak Sangh at just 18, and fought moneylenders who lent to tribals at exorbitant rates. It was a fight fuelled by the anger at the death of his father Shobaran who was killed by moneylenders when Soren was a boy. • Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1980 and became president of his party in 1986. He represented JMM from Dumka in 1989, 1991, 1996 and 2004. In 1998 and 1999, however, he lost the parliamentary election. Do You Know: • In 2000, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister, Bihar was bifurcated to create Jharkhand from South Bihar, bowing to the long-standing demand in the region. The states of Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand were also created simultaneously. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍A journey from the margins 📍Fighting for adivasi rights to demanding a state: journey of Shibu Soren Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 2. With reference to the history of India, 'Ulgulan' or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (2020) (a) The Revolt of 1857 (b) The Mappila Rebellion of 1921 (c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 (d) Birsa Munda's Revolt of 1899-1900 3. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void? (2019) (a) Third Schedule (b) Fifth Schedule (c) Ninth Schedule (d) Twelfth Schedule Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? (2023) 📍Examine the uniqueness of tribal knowledge system when compared with mainstream knowledge and cultural systems.(2021) 📍Why are the tribals in India referred to as 'the Scheduled Tribes? Indicate the major provisions in the Constitution of India for their upliftment. 📍What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)? (2017) 'It's unjustified': India hits back as Trump warns of new tariff hike Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Main Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests. What's the ongoing story: Trump India tariff hike, India Russian oil trade: New Delhi and Washington are yet to reach a trade deal, with differences over market access for American agricultural products among the key roadblocks. Key Points to Ponder: • What rationale did Trump give for targeting India with higher tariffs? • What is India's justification for its continued Russian oil imports in response to Trump's tariff threats, citing energy security and market decisions? • Know the implications of Trump's accusation that India 'profited' from staff-retail of Russian crude oil. • How has India invoked the notion of sovereign choice in rebutting U.S. criticism? Key Takeaways: • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued the strong statement late on Monday evening, soon after Trump warned that he would raise the tariff on India 'substantially'. • 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits… They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA,' he said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. • Meanwhile, addressing an event in New Delhi earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke of the desire for a 'fair global order', and not one 'dominated by a few'. • The MEA, in its statement, also called out the US and European Union for continuing trade with Russia. This is the first time India has targeted the US government for procuring Russian commodities for their nuclear and automobile industry. It said that India, in fact, began importing from Russia since traditional oil supplies were diverted to Europe after the Russia-Ukraine conflict started. Do You Know: • On the sourcing of energy needs, India has maintained that it is guided by what is available in the markets and by prevailing global circumstances. • The MEA statement said India's imports were meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. 'They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion (for them),' it said. • The Indian statement has been consistent since the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022. It has been reiterated by Indian officials and ministers in public and in private to the American and European governments in the last three years. • 'The European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than India's total trade with Russia that year or subsequently,' it said. Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment, it said. • The escalation in rhetoric comes at a time when India has reconciled to the US administration planning penalties on India. New Delhi believes that Washington is considering the quantum of penalty and Trump's post was a warning to set the stage. So India didn't have a choice but to push back against Trump's statements. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Against imperialism 📍EYE ON THE GOAL Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍'What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India's National self-esteem and ambitions'. Explain with suitable examples. (2019) EXPRESS NETWORK Pollution boards can seek damages, bank guarantees for future, says SC Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: In a significant decision aimed at empowering pollution control boards, the Supreme Court Monday held that they can seek compensation for restitution of damages already caused by polluting entities or demand bank guarantees to prevent any potential future environmental damage. Key Points to Ponder: • Know the significance of the Supreme Court's distinction between punitive penalties and compensatory damages in environmental governance. • How the SC's interpretation of Sections 33A and 31A realigns statutory powers of pollution control boards and impacts enforcement capabilities? • What is the relevance of the 'polluter pays' and precautionary principles in the context of the SC decision to empower Boards to demand bank guarantees ex ante? • How does the ruling change the regulatory toolkit available to pollution control boards? • What institutional reforms and subordinate legislation should follow to operationalise these powers effectively? Key Takeaways: • A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra set aside the Delhi HC Division Bench order which said the Boards are 'not empowered to levy compensatory damages in exercise of powers under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Section 31A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 on the ground.' The HC held that such levy can be made only by courts, after taking cognisance of offences specified under the Acts. • The SC said, 'having considered the principles that govern our environmental laws and on interpretation of Sections 33A and 31A of the Water and Air Acts, we are of the opinion that that the Division Bench of the High Court was not correct in restrictively reading powers of the Boards. We are of the opinion that these regulators in exercise of these powers can impose and collect, as restitutionary or compensatory damages, fixed sum of monies or require furnishing bank guarantees as an ex-ante measure towards potential or actual environmental damage.' Do You Know: • The Delhi Pollution Control Board had approached the SC against the HC judgement which quashed the show cause notices issued by the Board to some residential complexes, commercial complexes and shopping malls which were allegedly constructed and were operating without obtaining the mandatory 'consent to establish' and 'consent to operate' under the Water Act and Air Act. • The SC judgment said, 'The Board's powers under Section 33A of the Water Act and Section 31A of the Air Act have to be read in light of the legal position on the application of the Polluter Pays principle… This means that the State Board cannot impose environmental damages in case of every contravention or offence under the Water Act and Air Act. It is only when the State Board has made a determination that some form of environmental damage or harm has been caused by the erring entity, or the same is so imminent, that the State Board must initiate action under' the provisions. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍SC says 'illegal' to grant green nod for projects after work has already begun EXPLAINED Six years without Article 370 Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc. Mains Examination: General Studies II: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. What's the ongoing story: It is now six years since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs). Key Points to Ponder: • What is Article 370? • Which constitutional mechanism was used to interpret 'Constituent Assembly of the State' as Legislative Assembly? • Know the constitutional legality of abrogating Article 370 and Article 35A on the basis of the 2019 Presidential Orders. • What special status was given to Jammu and Kashmir? • What Article 370 of the Constitution said? • How was Article 370 enacted? • What happened in Aug 2019? • What did the Centre do in 2019? • What specific aspect of Article 370 has been contested before the Supreme Court? • What were the four key issues in the challenge to the decisions of the government? • What did the Supreme Court rule on the sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir? • What did the Supreme Court said about Art 370? • What Supreme Court said on the legality of the abrogation of Article 370? • What Supreme Court said on the action that was taken under President's rule? • What was Karan Singh's Proclamation of 1949? • Why did Karan Singh make the proclamation? • What was the SR Bommai judgment, which the SC relied on in its Article 370 ruling? • What you know about landmark 1994 judgement in SR Bommai v Union of India? Key Takeaways: • The decision of August 5, 2019 was billed as the turning point that would usher in peace and development, and pave the way for the closer integration of the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. • Since then, political activity has resumed in J&K, including the formation of a new government which is now pushing for full statehood. But the Pahalgam terror attack has added a new dimension to the security question. • The return of democratic representation was seen as a major milestone in the Centre's post-August 5 roadmap in J&K. But the political dynamics remain fraught with tensions and compromises. • The National Conference (NC) leads a government with reduced powers. Just before the election, control over police and services was given to the Lieutenant Governor, limiting the authority of the elected dispensation. • The Omar Abdullah Cabinet's first decision was a resolution for the restoration of statehood, after which the Chief Minister visited Delhi for meetings. The NC's cautiously worded resolution reaffirmed 'special status' and called for dialogue, while Mehbooba Mufti's PDP took a more aggressive line. • In an interview with The Indian Express, Omar conceded that the fight for Article 370 would not yield immediate results from those who 'took it away'. A senior Union government source said New Delhi views Omar as a 'pragmatic politician' who is capable of negotiating within the current structure. Do You Know: • The Centre's strongest argument for the 2019 decisions was that it would curb terrorism. Six years on, the data do show a significant decline in violence. • Only 28 terrorists have been killed in 2025 so far, down from 67 in 2024. Local recruitment has fallen drastically from 129 in 2019 to just 1 this year. In 2024, 28 civilians were killed; all 26 deaths reported this year have occurred in a single incident — the Pahalgam terror attack in April. • Incidents of stone throwing, hartals, abductions, and the snatching of weapons are down to zero. The Jammu region, which saw cross-border incursions and frequent attacks on security forces over the past three years, now reports far fewer encounters. • The Centre launched a new industrial scheme in 2021 promising incentives to attract investments. Proposed investments in J&K now total Rs 1.63 lakh crore, of which more than Rs 50,000 crore is in various stages of operationalisation. • Private investment in tourism remains sluggish despite incentives. Only five hotels have opted into the new industrial scheme. Projects like Radisson's 200-room hotel in Srinagar and JW Marriott's 150-room property in Pahalgam are exceptions. Officials cite limited availability of suitable land as a bottleneck. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Six years on, standing still 📍If statehood is to be restored: legal path ahead Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note 'Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir', temporary? Discuss The future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity. (2016) ATTEMPT TO SAVE RHINOS BY GIVING THEM RADIOACTIVE HORNS Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. What's the ongoing story: A South African university launched an anti-poaching campaign on Thursday (July 31) with a unique approach – injecting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. It claimed that the method is harmless for the rhinos and allows customs agents to detect trafficked horns. Key Points to Ponder: • The Rhisotope Project, aimed at deterring rhino poaching, is being conducted where? • How the isotope tagging works? • What are the potential ecological concerns of injecting radioactive isotopes into animal tissue? • Compare and contrast the Rhisotope tagging method with dehorning and other non lethal anti poaching strategies. • How can lessons from the Rhisotope Project inform conservation strategies in Indian rhino habitats? Key Takeaways: • According to the IAEA, radioactive isotopes or radioisotopes are the unstable form of an element that emit radiation to transform into a more stable form. The radiation can be traced, and typically causes changes in the substance it falls upon • Through a non-invasive procedure, rhino horns are tagged with low doses of radioactive isotopes, allowing for their ready detection by radiation portal monitors (RPMs) already deployed at borders, ports, and airports worldwide to identify unauthorised nuclear materials. • To test this system, the researchers used 3D-printed rhino horns with identical shielding properties to real keratin, which is the substance that makes up rhino horn. According to the university, the tests confirmed that individual horns could be detected inside full 40-foot shipping containers • The university also announced the results of the pilot phase undertaken last June, when it injected radioisotopes into 20 rhinos at the Waterberg Biosphere in Waterberg, Limpopo, about 250 kilometres north of Johannesburg in South Africa. A team from Ghent University, Belgium, monitored the health and conducted cytological examinations on 15 treated rhinos, comparing these results with five untreated animals. Do You Know: • According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the global rhino population was estimated to be about 500,000 at the start of the 20th century. It has since dwindled to 27,000, owing to the burgeoning demand for rhino horns. These horns are trafficked to Asian markets where they are used in traditional medicine, and also as as a status symbol. • South Africa, home to the world's largest rhino population, had lost over 10,000 rhinos to poaching over the last decade, with 103 losses reported by the South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in the first quarter of this year. • While the project itself is not a cure-all or silver bullet to curb poaching, the researchers hope it will prove to be a great deterrent. It would certainly prove to be less disruptive to rhino behaviour compared to dehorning, in which rhinos' horns are removed to deter poaching. While a 2024 study published in the Science journal showed that dehorning rhinos reduced poaching by 78 per cent over seven years on eight reserves, another study the previous year established that this measure impacted their ability to socialise with their peers and noted reductions in the sizes of their home ranges. Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Explained: As tiger traders switch to rhino horn routes, enforcement plays catch-up Previous year UPSC Prelims Question Covering similar theme: 4. Consider the following statements: (2019) 1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only. 2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only. 3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 ECONOMY Amid slow EV growth, NITI proposes 'soft mandates' to boost adoption Syllabus: Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance. Mains Examination: General Studies III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. What's the ongoing story: India will need 'soft' mandates – that could become more stringent over time – to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the Centre's apex public policy think tank NITI Aayog has said in a new report. Key Points to Ponder: • The report titled 'Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India' said what? • India's EV policy-know in detail • What exactly is NITI Aayog's recommendation for 'soft mandates' over pure incentive-driven policies? • Know the significance of targeting government fleets, public buses, and freight vehicles for EV mandates. • Compare EV adoption rates in India versus global benchmarks. Key Takeaways: • To meet the national target of 30 per cent EV sales by 2030, mandates on the sale of certain segments of vehicles such as public buses, freight fleets, and government vehicles could give the market the right signal, according to the report released on Monday. • Noting India's progress in EV adoption over the years, largely on the back of government incentives, NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba said, 'It's alright to pat oneself on one's back, but we also have to acknowledge the fact that the adoption of EVs in India is at a slower pace than not only China, but also the US and the EU. Global penetration is about 17 per cent now, whereas we are at 7.6 per cent.' Do You Know: • The report titled 'Unlocking a $200 Billion Opportunity: Electric Vehicles in India' said it is 'evident that continuation of incentives alone may not help' India reach the 2030 target. 'As such it is time to give a stronger push for the shift by introducing some gentle mandates and disincentives which will help signal the required direction more firmly,' it said. • According to the report, India has the highest EV penetration rate in three-wheelers (16 per cent), followed by two-wheelers (5 per cent), buses (7 per cent), cars (2 per cent), and trucks (0.07 per cent). Other Important Articles Covering the same topic: 📍Electric Vehicles (EV) Schemes across India 2024: All you need to know Previous year UPSC Mains Question Covering similar theme: 📍How is efficient and affordable urban mass transport key to the rapid economic development in India? (2019) For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Priya Kumari Shukla is a Senior Copy Editor in the Indian Express (digital). She contributes to the UPSC Section of Indian Express (digital) and started niche initiatives such as UPSC Key, UPSC Ethics Simplified, and The 360° UPSC Debate. The UPSC Key aims to assist students and aspirants in their preparation for the Civil Services and other competitive examinations. It provides valuable guidance on effective strategies for reading and comprehending newspaper content. The 360° UPSC Debate tackles a topic from all perspectives after sorting through various publications. The chosen framework for the discussion is structured in a manner that encompasses both the arguments in favour and against the topic, ensuring comprehensive coverage of many perspectives. Prior to her involvement with the Indian Express, she had affiliations with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) as well as several coaching and edutech enterprises. In her prior professional experience, she was responsible for creating and refining material in various domains, including article composition and voiceover video production. She has written in-house books on many subjects, including modern India, ancient Indian history, internal security, international relations, and the Indian economy. She has more than eight years of expertise in the field of content writing. Priya holds a Master's degree in Electronic Science from the University of Pune as well as an Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from the esteemed Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, widely recognised as one of the most prestigious business schools in India. She is also an alumni of Jamia Milia Islamia University Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). Priya has made diligent efforts to engage in research endeavours, acquiring the necessary skills to effectively examine and synthesise facts and empirical evidence prior to presenting their perspective. Priya demonstrates a strong passion for reading, particularly in the genres of classical Hindi, English, Maithili, and Marathi novels and novellas. Additionally, she possessed the distinction of being a cricket player at the national level. Qualification, Degrees / other achievements: Master's degree in Electronic Science from University of Pune and Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management (EPPPM) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta ... Read More
