US-Iran diplomacy continues, but significant differences remain on deal

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Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 3,111 people since March 2, with 9,432 injured, according to Lebanese Health Ministry.

Published On 23 May 2026

Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday as efforts intensified to mediate a peace agreement between Iran and the United States, but Iranian officials have tempered hope for a quick deal.
Iran’s state media quoted the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman as saying that differences in mediated talks between Tehran and Washington are deep and significant.

LAB, KDA claim to have reached in-principle understanding with Centre

New Delhi, Two prominent civil society groups from Ladakh Leh ex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance on Friday claimed to have reached an ‘in-principle understanding’ with the Centre on providing constitutional safeguards to the Union Territory.

In a joint statement, after the sub-committee meeting here, both groups said they have reached an “in-principle understanding” with the Government of India on restoring democracy in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram under Article 371.

No formal statement was immediately available from the Centre.

The discussions took place during the sub-committee comprising top representatives from LAB and KDA and also from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Both groups stuck to their demands regarding the restoration of democracy, constitutional safeguards, and the demand for Statehood and Sixth Schedule protection, reflecting the shared commitment of all stakeholders towards an inclusive and sustainable governance framework for the region.

Following detailed and constructive deliberations, both sides have arrived at “an in-principle understanding” on several critical points, the statement said.

“In this model the legislative, executive and financial powers will rest with elected representatives through a Union Territory level legislative body. All bureaucrats of the UT including the Chief Secretary will come under the executive head of the UT level elected body ,” the statement said.

It said MHA officials explained that the only reason why Ladakh cannot be made a state at the moment is that it currently lacks adequate revenue generation to meet the revenue expenditures like salaries of employees.

“However, this setup will lead Ladakh towards full statehood as when it meets the revenue criteria,” the statement said.

The KDA and LAB stated that they look forward to closely working out the finer operational details with the MHA in consultation with legal and constitutional experts, it said.

The sub-committee was formed following a meeting held on February 19, 2024, between the High-Powered Committee and a 14-member delegation of LAB and KDA, representing various organisations of the Union Territory.

The Ministry of Home Affairs formed the HPC for Ladakh with a mandate to discuss the measures needed to be taken to protect the region’s unique culture and language, taking into consideration its geogrhical location and strategic importance.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Politics

Everest record holder warns of Nepal danger as two Indian mountaineers die

At least 5 climbers have died during this Everest season, including the 2 Indians and 3 Nepalis, raising concerns about overcrowding.

Published On 22 May 2026

Two Indian climbers have died on Mount Everest during a record-breaking period of ascents via Nepal’s southern route, as experts warn of overcrowding on the world’s highest peak.

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring.

Ex-Makerfield Green Party candidate apologises over false flag post

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Why did Twisha Sharmas mother-in-law call judges, CCTV vendors? Family seeks answers

The family of Twisha Sharma, a model-turned-actor who was found dead at her marital home in Bhopal earlier this month, has sought a probe into a series of phone calls allegedly made by her mother-in-law, retired additional district judge Giribala Singh, shortly after the incident.

Bhopal police have issued a third and final notice to Giribala Singh for recording her statement in connection with the case. (PTI)

In a detailed statement, the family questioned why Giribala Singh was allegedly in contact with senior public officials, members of the judiciary and technicians linked to CCTV maintenance immediately after Twisha’s death, while the victim’s parents were left in the dark, news agency PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into Twisha’s death allegedly due to harassment by in-laws.

Post-incident communications

Family’s statement came a day after Giribala Singh informed a First Class Judicial Magistrate that eight CCTV cameras installed at her residence were being managed by a private company and were not being maintained properly. According to her submission before the court, the footage reflected an incorrect timestamp, showing a discrepancy of two days, two hours and 20 minutes.

Also read | Twisha Sharma dowry death case: Ex-judge Giribala Singh gets final notice for recording statement

She stated in her plication that the wrong date and time in the footage was creating confusion among the public.

Twisha’s family, however, said the sequence of communications that allegedly took place after the incident needed closer scrutiny. Referring to documents submitted in court, the family claimed Giribala Singh had contacted senior members of the judiciary, Lokayukta officials and technicians associated with CCTV systems.

Though some of the calls have been described publicly as condolence calls, the family questioned the timing of those conversations and the involvement of technical personnel.

Also read | Twisha Sharma’s kin demand probe into her mother-in-law’s calls to public figures, CCTV technicians

While the family respects every individual who expressed sympathy… it is unable to understand how persons associated with CCTV maintenance or technical services became relevant participants in such communications immediately after the incident, the statement said.

The family further said CCTV footage and digital records are important pieces of evidence in any suspicious death investigation and urged investigators to independently verify the purpose and context of each communication.

This is not an allegation but a legitimate question which deserves clarification through a fair and transparent investigation, the statement added.

Questions over investigation and public statements

The family also expressed concern that while multiple high-level communications were allegedly taking place, they themselves were struggling to obtain information about their daughter’s condition and the circumstances surrounding her death.

Also read | Twisha dowry death: Mother-in-law seeks recording of DVR contents by police

A grieving mother and father were desperately searching for answers regarding the condition and circumstances of their daughter, yet they found themselves dependent upon fragmented information, the statement said.

It also questioned how Giribala Singh, who is facing criminal allegations in the case, was allegedly able to give interviews while the investigation remained active.

Twisha Sharma is no longer alive to explain her version of events. She cannot answer allegations… The focus should remain on discovering the truth rather than questioning the character of a person who cannot respond, the family stated.

Police action and legal proceedings

Twisha Sharma was found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12. Her family has accused her in-laws of harassing her for dowry and driving her to death. Her in-laws have claimed that she was addicted to drugs.

Also read | Bhopal ‘dowry death’ case: Lookout notice issued against deceased woman’s absconding husband

Police registered an FIR under Sections 80(2), 85 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with relevant sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act against Twisha’s husband Samarth Singh and Giribala Singh.

Top Developments in case

MP govt seeks CBI probe

The Madhya Pradesh has asked the CBI to take over the probe into the death of Twisha Sharma.

Ex-judge Giribala Singh gets final notice from police

Bhopal police have issued a third and final notice to Giribala Singh for recording her statement in connection with the case. She has been booked along with Twisha Sharma’s husband in the dowry harassment case.

Absconding husband moves High Court for anticipatory bail

Samarth Singh, who is currently absconding, has proached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking pre-arrest bail. In his plea, he claimed that his family was cooperating with investigators and argued that custodial interrogation was not necessary.

Friends and relatives protest at Jantar Mantar

Relatives and friends of Twisha Sharma staged a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding a CBI investigation into her death. The protest took place days after the 33-year-old was found hanging at her marital home in Bhopal.

Autopsy says death caused by hanging

The post-mortem report stated that Twisha Sharma died due to antemortem hanging by ligature. The report also noted several simple injuries caused by blunt force on different parts of her body.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)

Politics

Intense mediation: Signs of progress amid efforts to reach US-Iran deal

Live updates,

A new opinion poll in the US suggests that 60 percent of Americans now oppose President Donald Trump’s war on Iran.

Published On 22 May 2026

Iran’s ISNA news agency says mediated discussions between Tehran and Washington are ongoing, with the two sides exchanging messages and draft texts in an effort to establish a formal framework for an agreement to end the conflict.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran reports that Pakistani officials are engaged in intense mediation activity, while a senior Iranian official said a deal was close, though a second Iranian source said it was too early to say whether a final agreement could be reached.