Madikeri: Averting a major tragedy, a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus collided with a tree as the driver lost its control, avoiding a fall into a potentially tragic 50 feet gorge here at Kumbaragadige near Surlabbi in Somwarpet taluk.  

The incident reportedly happened, after the driver of the KSRTC bus heading towards Somwarpet from Madikeri via Surlabbi lost control over the vehicle at the turn near Kumbaragadi village. As a result, the bus hit a tree on the side of the road. Among the passengers in the bus, most of them were reported to be school children. 

Meanwhile, had the bus continued without hitting the tree, it might have ended up plunging into a 50-foot-deep gorge. The road in Surlabbi is narrow and has several curves. Simultaneously the locals claimed that the absence of signboards in the area was the cause of the accident, they also urged the concerned authorities to immediately install sign boards at the curves.

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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.