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Gaza receives emergency food drops from Jordan, UAE, and Israel as UN warns of mass starvation
Jordanian and Emirati planes dropped food into Gaza on Sunday, as Israel began a limited 'tactical pause' in military operations to allow the UN and aid agencies to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.
The Israeli military said it had also begun airdropping food into the Palestinian territory – making one drop of seven palettes – while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected what he characterised as UN 'lies' that his government was to blame for the dire humanitarian situation.
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The army also dismissed allegations that it had been using starvation as a weapon, saying it had coordinated with the UN and international agencies to 'increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip'.
UN emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher welcomed the tactical pauses, saying he was in 'contact with our teams on the ground who will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window'.
But the UN's World Food Programme said a third of the population of Gaza had not eaten for days, and 470,000 people were 'enduring famine-like conditions' that were already leading to deaths.
The Israeli decision came as international pressure mounted on Netanyahu's government to head off the risk of mass starvation in the territory.
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined the chorus of concern on Sunday, urging Netanyahu 'to provide the starving civilian population in Gaza with urgently needed humanitarian aid now.'
Accusing the UN of fabricating 'pretexts and lies about Israel' blocking aid, Netanyahu said in remarks at an airbase that 'there are secure routes' for aid.
'There have always been, but today it's official. There will be no more excuses,' he added.
Since Israel imposed a total blockade on aid entering Gaza on March 2, the situation inside the territory has deteriorated sharply. More than 100 NGOs warned this week of 'mass starvation'.
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Though aid has trickled back in since late May, the UN and humanitarian agencies say Israeli restrictions remain excessive and road access inside Gaza is tightly controlled.
'Life's wish'
The Jordanian military said its planes, working with the United Arab Emirates, had delivered 25 tonnes of aid in three parachute drops over Gaza on Sunday. Truckloads of flour were also seen arriving in northern Gaza through the Zikim area crossing from Israel, according to AFP journalists.
The charity Oxfam's regional policy chief Bushra Khalidi called Israel's latest moves a 'welcome first step' but warned they could prove insufficient.
'Starvation won't be solved by a few trucks or airdrops,' she said. 'What's needed is a real humanitarian response: ceasefire, full access, all crossings open, and a steady, large-scale flow of aid into Gaza.
'We need a permanent ceasefire, a complete lifting of the siege.'
In general, humanitarian officials are deeply sceptical airdrops can deliver enough food safely to tackle the hunger crisis facing Gaza's more than two million inhabitants.
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In Gaza City's Tel al-Hawa district, 30-year-old Suad Ishtaywi said her 'life's wish' was to simply feed her children. She spoke of her husband returning empty-handed from aid points daily.
Chaotic scenes broke out at the site where Israel conducted its first food drop, witnesses told AFP.
Samih Humeid, a 23-year-old from the Al-Karama neighbourhood of Gaza City, said dozens of people had gathered to rush towards the palettes of supplies parachuted onto the area.
'It felt like a war, everyone trying to grab whatever they could. Hunger is merciless. The quantities were extremely limited, not enough even for a few people, because hunger is everywhere. I only managed to get three cans of fava beans,' he said.
In a social media post, the Israeli military announced it had 'carried out an airdrop of humanitarian aid as part of the ongoing efforts to allow and facilitate the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip'.
AFP journalists saw Egyptian trucks crossing from Rafah, with cargo routed through Israel's Kerem Shalom checkpoint for inspection before entering Gaza.
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The Israeli army's daily pause from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm will be limited to areas where its troops are not currently operating – Al-Mawasi in the south, central Deir el-Balah and Gaza City in the north.
Israel said 'designated secure routes' would also open across Gaza for aid convoys carrying food and medicine.
The military said the measures should disprove 'the false claim of deliberate starvation'.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, citing 'reasonable grounds' to suspect war crimes including starvation – charges Israel vehemently denies.
Activists intercepted
On Sunday, according to the Gaza civil defence agency, Israeli army fire killed 27 Palestinians, 12 of them near aid distribution areas.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency and other parties.
Separately, the Israeli navy brought an activist boat, the Handala operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, into the part of Ashdod, after intercepting and boarding it late Saturday to prevent it attempting to breach a maritime blockade of Gaza.
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The legal rights centre Adalah told AFP its lawyers were in Ashdod and had met with 19 of the 21 detained activists and journalists from 10 countries. The other two detainees, dual US-Israeli nationals, had been transferred to Israeli police custody, the group said.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
The Israeli campaign has killed 59,733 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
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UN urges global treaty to end plastic crisis amid health and environmental warnings
As UN-led negotiations on a global plastics treaty begin in Geneva, experts warn of microplastics in human bodies and $1.5 trillion in health costs. With time running out, nations face off over production limits and toxic chemical bans read more This photograph shows the silhouettes of delegates as they gather in the assembly hall prior to the start of plastics treaty negotiations at the United Nations Offices in Geneva. AFP Nations must resolve the global plastics crisis, the head of UN talks told negotiators from 180 countries gathered in Geneva on Tuesday to forge a landmark treaty on eliminating the life-threatening waste. 'We are facing a global crisis,' Ecuadoran diplomat Luis Vayas Valdivieso said at the start of 10 days of negotiations. 'Plastic pollution is damaging ecosystems, polluting our oceans and rivers, threatening biodiversity, harming human health, and unfairly impacting the most vulnerable,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The urgency is real, the evidence is clear, and the responsibility is on us.' Three years of negotiations hit the wall in Busan, South Korea in December when oil-producing states blocked a consensus. Key figures steering the negotiations at this new attempt said they were not expecting an easy ride this time, but insisted a deal remained within reach. 'There's been extensive diplomacy from Busan till now,' UN Environment Programme executive director Inger Andersen told AFP. UNEP is hosting the talks, and Andersen said conversations between different regions and interest groups had generated momentum. 'Most countries, actually, that I have spoken with have said: 'We're coming to Geneva to strike the deal'. 'Will it be easy? No. Will it be straightforward? No. Is there a pathway for a deal? Absolutely.' Human bodies riddled Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that microplastics have been found on the highest mountain peaks, in the deepest ocean trench and scattered throughout almost every part of the human body. In 2022, countries agreed they would find a way to address the crisis by the end of 2024. However, the supposedly final negotiations on a legally-binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the seas, flopped in Busan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One group of countries sought an ambitious deal to limit production and phase out harmful chemicals. But a clutch of mostly oil-producing nations rejected production limits and wanted to focus on treating waste. Valdivieso insisted that an effective, fair and ambitious agreement was within reach. 'Our paths and positions might differ; our destination is the same,' he said Monday. 'We are all here because we believe in a shared cause: a world free of plastic pollution.' 'Plastic-free future' More than 600 non-governmental organisations are in Geneva. NGOs and civil society have access to the discussions tackling the thorniest points, such as banning certain chemicals and capping production. 'To solve the plastic pollution crisis, we have to stop making so much plastic,' Greenpeace delegation chief Graham Forbes told AFP. The group and its allies want a treaty 'that cuts plastic production, eliminates toxic chemicals, and provides the financing that's going to be required to transition to a fossil fuel, plastic-free future', he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The fossil fuel industry is here in force,' he noted, adding: 'We cannot let a few countries determine humanity's future when it comes to plastic pollution.' Dumped, burned and trashed More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, half of which is for single-use items. While 15 percent of plastic waste is collected for recycling, only nine percent is actually recycled. Nearly half, 46 percent, ends up in landfills, while 17 percent is incinerated and 22 percent is mismanaged and becomes litter. A report in The Lancet medical journal warned Monday that plastic pollution was a 'grave, growing and under-recognised danger' to health, costing the world at least $1.5 trillion a year in health-related economic losses. The new review of existing evidence, conducted by leading health researchers and doctors, compared plastic to air pollution and lead, saying its impact on health could be mitigated by laws and policies. To hammer home the message, a replica outside the UN of Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture 'The Thinker' will be slowly submerged in mounting plastic rubbish during the talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The artwork, entitled 'The Thinker's Burden', is being constructed by the Canadian artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong. 'If you want to protect health, then we need to think about the toxic chemicals that are entering our environment,' he told AFP. But Matthew Kastner, spokesman for the American Chemistry Council, said the plastics industry and its products were 'vital to public health', notably through medical devices, surgical masks, child safety seats, helmets and pipes delivering clean water.
Indian Express
4 minutes 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
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‘Don't Burn...': Nikki Haley Defends India, Cites China Tariff Pause After Trump Threat
Nikki Haley criticized Donald Trump's tariff threat on Indian goods, warning it could harm the US-India partnership. Republican leader Nikki Haley criticised US President Donald Trump's threat to sharply raise tariffs on Indian goods, warning that the move risks undermining a vital strategic partnership. The former UN Ambassador urged the White House not to alienate India, even as it offers tariff leniency to China- a country she described as an adversary and the leading purchaser of Russian and Iranian oil. In the most pointed Republican criticism yet of Donald Trump's escalating trade stance toward New Delhi, Nikki Haley wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause." Nikki Haley, who has long positioned herself as both hawkish on Beijing and a proponent of India's strategic rise, added, 'Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India." Donald Trump's Latest Warning To India Nikki Haley's remarks followed Donald Trump's fresh warning that he intends to 'very substantially" raise tariffs on Indian goods within 24 hours, citing New Delhi's continued imports of Russian crude. Speaking to CNBC, Donald Trump claimed the United States does 'little business with India" while India does 'a lot of business with us." Earlier, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump accused India of buying 'massive amounts of Russian oil" and reselling it on the open market for profit, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong rebuttal, calling Donald Trump's characterisation 'politically motivated" and 'unjustified." The ministry said India's increased purchases of Russian oil were a strategic necessity, made after traditional suppliers in the West diverted their exports to Europe following the outbreak of the Ukraine war. 'The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets' stability," the MEA said. The statement also underscored that both the US and European nations continue to maintain substantial trade ties with Moscow. The MEA added that the US itself remains economically linked to Russia, importing uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for electric vehicles and various fertilizers as well as industrial chemicals. 'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," the statement said. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: August 05, 2025, 20:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
