2 killed in Uttarakhand rains
Dehradun, Aug 27 : At least two people were killed as incessant rains continued to batter Uttarakhand, an official said on Monday.
The victims were a woman from Pithoragarh and a 65-year-old man, who was washed away in Roorkie by the Sukro river, which is in spate.
The heavy rains have battered the state for the last one week, with plains being the most affected. In Kotdwar district, over 400 houses were inundated. Authorities have evacuated residents to a school.
Water logging was reported in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Udhamsingh Nagar and Dehradun. There has been some damage to a reception hall at the entry gate of the Corbett National Park due to the heavy rains and flooding.
In Kumayun region, the Tanakpur-Pithoragarh highway has been blocked due to landslides, an official told IANS.
More than dozen houses were damaged in Bageshwar. The Ganga river is flowing a metre above the 293 metres danger mark in Haridwar.
More rains are expected this week, according to an official from the regional Met Office.
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
