FRIDAY IRAN, US REACH TENTATIVE PLAN TO EXTEND CEASEFIRE & START N-TALKS 29 MAY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard DORM FIRE 60 DAYS BLAZE KILLS 16 GIRL STUDENTS IN KENYA PROPOSED EXTENSION OF CEASEFIRE, DURING WHICH N-TALKS WILL BE HELD TRUMP YET TO SIGN OFF ON THE AGREEMENT A fire ripped through a dormitory in a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya on Thursday, killing at least 16 students, a government official said A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  The proposed deal will move forward if and when US President Donald Trump gives his final approval, Axios reported, quoting two US officials and a regional source involved in the mediation efforts. Iran is yet to confirm its acceptance, the report added. The tentative agreement worked out by the two sides comes at a time the fragile ceasefire seems to be wavering | P9 PAGES 12 Siddu quits to make way After NEET-UG leak, IAF option on for DKS, declines RS berth table to airlift retest question papers CLP meet, swearing-in ceremony only after guv accepts resignation THE Centre is assessing to draft in the military, with the Indian Air Force set to transport question papers for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination after the paper leak controversy forced the cancellation of the May 3 test, sources in the defence establishment said following a high-level meeting on Thursday . The nearly 40-minute meeting was held at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence and attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, NTA Director General Pradeep Singh Kharola and senior representatives A S H W I N I M S R I PA D & D E V A R A J B H I R E H A L L I @ Bengaluru ENDING six months of speculation over leadership change in Karnataka, a teary-eyed Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced his decision to resign from the post of Chief Minister and make way for his deputy D K Shivakumar to be sworn in as his successor. The announcement came a couple of day after hectic parleys in New Delhi with the high command asking Siddaramaiah to step down and take a Rajya Sabha berth instead. Siddaramaiah, however, declined the berth and said he would continue in active politics in Karnataka. He made the announcement at a breakfast meeting with his cabinet colleagues, including Shivakumar. Many ministers too turned emotional when Siddaramaiah announced his resignation. He then went to Lok Bhavan at 3 pm and tendered his resignation to the Special Secretary to the Gover nor, Prabhu Shankar, as Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot had flown to Indore following a medical emergency involving a family member. Gehlot returned to Bengaluru late Thursday evening but by then Siddaramaiah had left for New Delhi to meet the party high command, and is expected to be back on Friday The resignation can be . accepted only when Siddaramaiah presents himself before the Governor. “The resignation has been submitted. However, it has to be presented in person to the Governor. Only after the Governor accepts it, will the resignation become official. Until then, Siddaramaiah will continue as Chief Minister,” Lok Bhavan sources told this newspaper. If the resignation is accepted Siddaramaiah announcing his resignation as chief minister as Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar looks on, in Bengaluru on Thursday | NAGARAJA GADEKAL Flight diverted Siddaramaiah’s chartered flight from Bengaluru to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Thursday due to heavy rains at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It landed at 7.55 pm. Five other party leaders were on board. Two hours later, the flight was yet to take off for Delhi, airport sources said on Friday the Congress Legisla, ture Party (CLP) could be convened on Saturday or Sunday, followed by Shivakumar’s oathtaking as the new chief minister. Sources said there is also a likelihood of the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, depending on Shivakumar finding an auspicious time for it in consultation with his astrologer. If the Congress high command approves a full-fledged cabinet, the swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha — a legacy associated with former Chief Ministers Ram- akrishna Hegde and S M Krishna, which Shivakumar is keen to continue. However, with the June 18 Rajya Sabha polls approaching, the leadership is also considering a partial cabinet expansion while keeping some berths vacant. Analysts reckon that a full cabinet formation could trigger dissidence among disappointed aspirants, giving the opposition an opportunity to woo disgruntled MLAs ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. If only a partial cabinet is sworn in, the ceremony is likely to be held at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan. Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah said he has no intention to switch to national politics despite Rahul Gandhi offering him a RS seat. “I have very humbly declined. I have no interest in national politics. I am staying right here in state politics. The people have elected me for a five-year term, and there are still two years left. Until then, my focus is entirely on being there for the people of Karnataka and the people of my constituency he said. ,” In-law in CBI custody in Twisha death case E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Bhopal THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested retired judge Giribala Singh in connection with the alleged dowry death of her daughter-in-law Twisha Sharma. CBI sleuths took her into custody from her Bhopal residence after 5 hours of questioning in the highprofile case. Sources said the CBI has informed the Bhopal District and Sessions Judge Manoj Srivastava about the arrest. The ex-judge will be produced before the court on Friday . The arrest of the 63-year-old former judge came a day after the Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed the anticipatory bail granted to her by a sessions court. Giribala’s son and Twisha’s husband Samarth Singh is already in CBI custody Officials . said the CBI will interrogate J A V A R I A R A N A @ New Delhi the mother-son duo together. Two CBI teams were at Giribala’s house on Thursday. While the first team, comprising technical and forensic experts arrived for crime scene mapping and forensic analysis at around 10.30 am, the second team comprising women sleuths arrived at around 12.30 pm. T he 33-year-old model-actor Twisha Sharma was allegedly found hanging on May 12, six months after her marriage with Bhopal-based advocate Samarth. The local police lodged a case of dowry death, harassment and cruelty against Samarth and Giribala on May 15. An SIT was subsequently formed by Bhopal police commissioner Sanjay Kumar to probe the high-profile case. On May 23, the state government recommended a CBI probe, based on the demand by Twisha’s parents. The CBI took over the probe on May 25. EXPRESS READ Chief of Maoist splinter outfit held from Ranchi Following a crackdown on Maoists in Jharkhand, police have intensified operations against splinter outfits and arrested People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) chief Amrit Horo. He was carrying a bounty of `10 lakh on his head. After the arrest of PLFI supremo Dinesh Gope and the encounter of Martin Kerketta in Gumla, Horo had assumed leadership of the outfit. In recent times, he had been demanding “levy” (extortion money) after carrying out attacks across several districts. PMO oversees prep Sources said the PMO is closely overseeing preparations, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi being regularly briefed on developments related to the examination and the security arrangements being put in place Rajnath Singh from the education ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office, sources told this daily . They added that the discussions focused on strengthening security protocols across the entire exam cycle, including paper setting, printing, storage, transport and coordination at centres across India. Dharmendra Pradhan Jyotiraditya Scindia “The Air Force is expected to assist in the secure and timebound movement of question papers to minimise risks during transit, which investigators believe was a major vulnerability in the earlier process,” a source said, adding that contingency plans and inter-agency coordination mechanisms were India among 30+ nations working to build non-China supply chain P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi INDIA, along with more than 30 countries, is working to build an alternative supply chain for critical minerals used in electric vehicles, smartphones and defence equipment, as governments seek to reduce heavy dependence on China after Beijing tightened exports of key minerals, sources said. “India, along with 30-40 other countries, is trying to create an alternative market and supply chain for critical minerals to reduce import dependence on China,” an official aware of the matter said. India is in talks with Chile, Canada, Japan, Australia and others to bring them on board for creating a resilient critical minerals supply chain. Recently India, Australia, Ja, pan and the US—the Quad partners—set an ambitious target What are critical minerals? Critical minerals include copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, aluminium, manganese, silicon, and silver, rare earth elements, among others. These are essential for national security as they are vital for defence, aerospace, nuclear, and space applications of mobilising up to $20 billion in government and private-sector support to build secure critical minerals supply chains, reduce dependence on dominant suppliers and strengthen regional industry . “India does have reserves, but these are mostly used for very specific projects, such as those in ISRO. For mass-market needs like smartphones and ve- hicles, the industry is still importing from China,” another official said. The biggest challenge lies in convincing Indian industry to source from alternative markets, as China continues to enjoy a strong competitive edge in critical mineral exports, sources said adding that pricing is a big concern. “The challenge lies in matching prices and convincing industry to buy from India and partner countries that are working together,” the official said. India is seeking to position itself as a trusted partner in emerging mineral alliances. “Countries need confidence in our systems before they open up sensitive technologies,” the official said. Indian agencies are also exploring partnerships with research institutions in Australia to gain expertise in mineral extraction and processing. Exceptional heat in next 5 yrs: UN body Global average temperatures likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, says new report from the World Meteorological Organization 1.3°C-1.9°C 91% WFI MOVES SC AGAINST HC’s PHOGAT FIAT The Wrestling Federation of India has moved the SC challenging the Delhi HC order that allowed Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled for Saturday | P7 Annual global mean near-surface temperatures during 2026–2030 predicted to be 1.3°C-1.9°C above the 18501900 average chance of global mean near-surface temperature exceeding 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average for at least a year between 2026 and 2030 Global temperature crossed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time in 2024 Arctic temperatures over the next five extended northern hemisphere winters (November-March) predicted to be 2.8°C above normal El Niño predicted for the end of 2026, which increases the chances of the following year, 2027, being the next record-breaking year — Dr Leon Hermanson, lead author of the report EXPRESS ILLUSTRATION A rare visitor in Spiti’s skies—the Pallas’s Gull H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh CHANDRATAL Lake, the shimmering high-altitude Ramsar wetland in Himachal Pradesh’s remote Lahaul and Spiti district, has added another distinction to its ecological importance with the first confirmed sighting of Pallas’s Gull, also known as the great black-headed gull. Forest officials and researchers documented the rare migratory bird on August 31, 2025, at an altitude of nearly 4,298 metres, the highest altitude record of the species in India. The finding, supported by photographs and video evidence, also reviewed as part of a “multi-layered security architecture” being put in place for the examination. The move is part of a wider framework being built around the June 21 re-test, which will be conducted for more than 22 lakh aspirants. Investigations into the NEETUG 2026 paper leak continue across Rajasthan and Maharashtra, with the CBI probing allegations that portions of the question paper circulated before the exam through guess papers and encrypted messaging platforms. Queries sent to the defence ministry on the meet did not elicit a formal response till the filing of this report. P7 In a first, Himalayan brown bear in Gamgul Deep inside Himachal Pradesh’s rugged Gamgul Siyabehi Wildlife Sanctuary, cameras have captured the elusive Himalayan Brown Bear with a cub, offering the first photographic proof of the species in Chamba. Listed as critically endangered, the rare bear faces mounting threats from climate change, habitat loss and shrinking alpine ecosystems. has now been published in the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society . Goldy Chabra, Divisional Forest Officer of Lahaul and Spiti, said the sighting underlines the ecological connection between Central Asian migratory flyways and Himalayan wetlands. He noted that the species had previously been recorded at Pong Dam and in Ladakh, but had never been recorded in the Spiti Valley . Researchers observed a firstwinter juvenile gull resting quietly along the edge of the lake, where its large size made it immediately noticeable. Native to breeding grounds stretching from souther n Russia to Mongolia, the species migrates south during winter, favouring coastal regions, estuaries and inland lakes across the Indian subcontinent for feeding and shelter. CM and Harsh Malhotra (centre) at Delhi BJP office on Thursday | PARVEEN NEGI Union Minister Harsh Malhotra appointed new Delhi BJP chief A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Thursday appointed Union MoS for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highway Harsh Malhotra as the new Delhi BJP president, replacing Virendra Sachdeva after the completion of his threeyear term. Malhotra assumed charge at the party office soon after the announcement. Party leaders said the appointment is aimed at strengthening the BJP’s outreach among Punjabi voters in the national capital ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections and the MCD polls scheduled for next year. According to sources, Malhotra’s image as a Punjabi face is expected to help consolidate support among the community. A Mona Punjabi face was missing, even though the party has huge support among Punjabi voters, sources said. The BJP has already intensified preparations for the Punjab polls as it seeks to unseat the AAP government. At the same time, the party is focusing on retaining control of the MCD. “I believe that responsibilities in the BJP are like a 400metre relay race. Today Viren, dra Sachdeva has handed over to me the baton of responsibility, and I resolve that with the support of thousands of party workers and under the guidance of the leadership, I will make every possible effort to strengthen the party and accelerate the work of the Delhi government,” Malhotra said after taking the charge. Malhotra, 62, is the only member in the Narendra Modi’s cabinet from Delhi. Previously, he served as general secretary of the Delhi BJP and was regarded within the organisation as a specialist in civic administration and organisational affairs. He was elected mayor of the erstwhile East Delhi Municipal Corporation in 2015. He won the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat in 2024 by nearly 94,000. A longtime RSS and ABVP volunteer, Malhotra has been active in BJP politics since 1991. He studied Botany and law at Delhi University P7 .