News Dabba for 21 May 2026: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from the Twisha Sharma death case, a record summer power demand in Indian, to Iran ceasefire updates.

Madhya Pradesh starts investigating mother-in-law in Twisha Sharma death case, Indian Express

The Madhya Pradesh government has initiated an inquiry against retired Bhopal judge Giribala Singh after criminal charges were registered against her in connection with the death of her daughter-in-law, model and actor Twisha Sharma, Indian Express reports. The report says that the development marks the first formal administrative action initiated by the state government against Giribala Singh since the registration of the FIR. Singh, a retired district judge currently serving as chairperson of the district consumer commission in Bhopal, was named in the case filed after the death of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma at her matrimonial home earlier this month. Read the full report here.

India preps for record summer power demand, NDTV reports

India's peak power demand touched 256 gigawatt on April 25 and increased to 265 on May 20, NDTV reports. It is projected to rise to 271 in June and 283 in July as the summer intensifies, the Power Ministry told the standing committee on energy. Additional Secretary Piyush Singh outlined a series of measures to avoid power cuts or shortages during peak summer months. The report says that the government has decided that all thermal power plants will remain operational during the season, which means no maintenance shutdowns will be allowed. Officials said this is to ensure uninterrupted supply as demand surges. Read the full report here.

Far-right Israeli minister condemned for taunting handcuffed Gaza flotilla activists, BBC reports

There has been international condemnation of Israel's treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces. BBC reports that the US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed outrage after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. His actions also drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were "not in line with Israel's values", the report adds. Read the full report here.

Hindustan Times on Delhi-Bengaluru Air India aircraft grounded after tail-strike during landing

An Air India flight operation from Delhi to Bengaluru was grounded after it experienced a tail strike during landing on Thursday, Hindustan Times reports. The airline said that everyone on board was safe, including the passengers and crew and that they disembarked normally. The report mentions that the flight had 179 people on board. Air India said that the flight, AI2651, has been grounded for “detailed inspection”. Read the full report here.

Iran reviews US proposal to end war as Pakistan steps up mediation efforts: Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reports that Tehran says it is reviewing the latest responses from the United States to its proposal to end the nearly three-month US-Israel war on Iran as mediator Pakistan steps up efforts to achieve progress in the talks that US President Donald Trump has warned are on the “borderline” between a deal and renewed strikes. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said late on Wednesday that the Iranians have “received US views and are reviewing them”, according to the Iranian state agency Nour News. The report says Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Iran on Wednesday for his second visit in less than a week to discuss Washington’s latest proposal. Read the full report here.