MADURAI l friday l may 29, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l LATE CITY EDITION Iran, U.S. reach tentative plan to extend ceasefire & start n-talks Iran, US negotiators have reached an agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and launch talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, reports said Trump yet to sign off on the agreement... ...wants ‘couple of days to think about it’ 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 ■ ■ US officials said terms of the deal have been mostly agreed to by the negotiators but both sides need approval from senior leadership US negotiators briefed Trump on the details of the final deal, but he did not immediately sign off saying he wants “a couple of days to think about it”, Axios said. Iran’s leadership is ready to sign the MoU 60 days Proposed extension of ceasefire, during which n-talks will be held CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI 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 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 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ 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 PMO oversees prep 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. E x p ress R e a d TN to seek clarification on HC’s cow slaughter ban Chennai: The TN government is considering moving the courts to seek clarification on the recent Madras HC order directing it to ensure no cow or calf is slaughtered on Bakrid or on any other day, with officials flagging its ambiguity on whether it is a blanket ban or merely restricts slaughter in public and unauthorised places. Senior officials from multiple departments, including Animal Husbandry, told TNIE that the government is seeking legal opinion on the matter | P2 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 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. moves SC against HC’s Phogat fiat The Wrestling Federation of India has challenging in the SC the Delhi HC’s order that allowed Vinesh Phogat to participate in the selection trials for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled for Saturday | P7 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 SHPITA DE 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- Exceptional heat in next 5 yrs: UN body WFI Rajnath Singh 1.3°C-1.9°C Annual global mean near-surface temperatures during 2026–2030 predicted to be 1.3°C-1.9°C above the 1850-1900 average 91% 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. Global average temperatures likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, says new report from the World Meteorological Organization 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 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 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 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. in velachery Two from Bihar held for rape of 61-yr-old woman Express news service @ Chennai Two men from Bihar were arrested by the Velachery police on Thursday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 61-year-old woman with intellectual disabilities earlier in the day Pas. sersby had noticed the woman walking along the 100-ft Road in Velachery around 4 am with blood stains on her legs and alerted the police, bringing the crime to light. According to police, the accused — identified as Mohammed Muthab (26) and Mohammed Atheel (23) from Bihar — were employed at separate eateries in Velachery A 15-year. old boy from Bihar was also initially detained, but let go after investigation ruled out his involvement, police said. The survivor is an elderly woman, who had left her family and was living near the Velachery Bus Stand, police said. Shortly after midnight, she was walking along the Velachery 100-ft Road, when a group of men on a bike taxi intercepted her. They took her to a secluded location near a corporation park and allegedly sexually assaulted her, before fleeing the spot, police said. Around 4 am, passersby found the woman walking along the 100-ft Road near a petrol bunk, with blood stains on her legs. When they tried to ask her what had happened, she was unable to provide a coherent answer. Subsequently, the 108 ambulance service and police control room were alerted. Police personnel on patrol arrived at the spot and questioned the survivor and those nearby, but were unable to elicit information from the woman, they added.  P5 TVK to bolster party structure as scores from AIADMK join P r a b h a k a r Ta m i l a r a s u @ Chennai The election dust has barely settled, but the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has turned its attention towards building up its party machinery. TVK president and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had given the task of restructuring and strengthening the party to minister and party chief coordinator K A Sengottaiyan, who left the AIADMK last November to join TVK. Part of this effort includes the spree of inductions of more people from other parties, in- C Vijaya Baskar at political crossroads Pudukkottai: Amid mounting speculation over his political future, Viralimalai MLA C Vijaya Baskar on Thursday held consultations with his supporters and district-level AIADMK functionaries at his residence in Illupur. He was among the ‘rebel’ MLAs aligned with the CVe Shanmugam-led faction that voted in favour of the TVK government during the Assembly floor test | P4 cluding the AIADMK. On Thursday, over 300 functionaries, including former minister Vellamandi N Natarajan, former DGP and MLA R Natraj, for mer MLAs R Thangadurai and M Rajasekhar (Rajapalayam), along with former district secretar- ies, union councillors and youth wing members from the AIADMK and other parties joined the TVK at its headquarters in Panaiyur. In the past week, four AIADMK MLAs have resigned from their seats and joined the ruling party, drawing allegations of horse- trading by the TVK. During Thursday’s event, TVK’s general secretary (election campaign management) Aadhav Arjuna praised Sengottaiyan and called on more members of the AIADMK to join the TVK. “When Sengottaiyan joined the TVK, AIADMK leaders mocked him, but he (Sengottaiyan) knew the pulse of people. He is the one who was part of the cabinet of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and Jayalalithaa and now our leader’s,” Arjuna said. However, TVK general secretary N Anand, took pains to assuage concerns of existing party workers and functionaries regarding the newcomers. “The induction of newcomers will not in anyway affect existing party functionaries and our leader will not abandon anybody like that,” he told the gathering in Panaiyur.  P5