BHUBANESWAR l thursday l september 11, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l late CITY EDITION Nasa finds strongest clue yet of potential ancient life on mars NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance has uncovered rocks in a dry river channel that may hold potential signs of ancient microscopic life signs of microbial activity on rocks The Perseverance rover uncovered colourful, speckled rocks in a dried Martian riverbed that contains iron phosphate and iron sulphide, chemical compounds that can be produced when microorganisms chomp down on organic matter. Lead researcher Joel Hurowitz of Stony Brook University said it is the best candidate yet in the rover’s search for signs of life ■ 30 Earth-based analysis needed: Scientists ■ Scientists cautioned that non-biological explanations are possible for the findings, and Earth-based analysis is needed to confirm the ancient life theory. The samples are expected to reach Earth in 2040 The sample was collected from reddish, clay-rich mudstones in Neretva Vallis, a channel that once carried water into Jezero Crater rock samples collected so far by perseverance rover 45180/12 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 Trump pushes India-US trade talks back on track Says no difficulty in sealing deal; there’s limitless potential: Modi P U S H PI TA D E Y & D IPA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi Some of the prisoners who escaped during the anti-government protests, being escorted back to a jail in Kathmandu, Nepal on Wednesday | PTI Ex-CJ Karki leads interim PM’s race, Army restores calm A soldier patrols on a road in the aftermath of anti-government protests, in Birgunj, Nepal, on Wednesday | PTI Armed soldiers patrolled empty streets and guarded key buildings in Nepal’s capital on Wednesday, enforcing a strict curfew amid uneasy calm following days of violent anti-corruption protests that forced Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to resign. Hopes are rising for a political resolution as youth protest leaders signal readiness for talks, even as nearly 700 air passengers, including Indian pilgrims, remain stranded at the Kathmandu airport that reopened in the evening. The Nepal Army, now effectively in control of security, said the situation remained tense but “under watch”, and extended a nationwide curfew until at least 6 am Thursday. “Infiltrators under the guise of protests have committed arson, looting, and violent attacks. We are committed to restoring peace and protecting lives,” said Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet. The health ministry confirmed 30 deaths since Monday and over 600 injuries, including both protesters and police, in what has become Nepal’s worst unrest in decades. Armoured vehicles guarded the scorched Parliament building, set ablaze on Tuesday while security , checkpoints checked IDs of every vehicle crossing city limits. The protests erupted after a social media ban sparked outrage among Gen Z-led groups already angry at entrenched corruption, political dynasties, and government overreach. Though the ban was lifted, the damage was done. Demonstrations quickly escalated into riots, with government buildings, party offices, and even former prime ministers’ homes set on fire. The leaderless protest movement, primarily made up of stu- Fee to be levied on recruitment exams by govt Cabinet okays new city development plan for Bhubaneswar at `8,179 crore Bhubaneswar: To improve quality of applications and reduce non-serious candidates, the state government on Wednesday decided that examination fee will have to be paid by applicants except those belonging to the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and persons with disabilities (PwDs) categories for recruitment examinations conducted by dif ferent state agencies. The examination fee will be decided by the recruiting agency, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja said after the state cabinet approved a proposal in this regard. The fee will be refunded in full to candidates who appear in the examination. Currently no examination fee , is charged for candidates appearing in recruitment examinations conducted by the agencies. As a result, a significant number of applications are received and high absenteeism observed, resulting in increased administrative burden, higher costs and wastage of resources. ENS E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi dents and young professionals, has now proposed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister. At 73, Karki is seen as a rare figure of integrity in a political landscape dominated by patronage. Later in the day Nepal’s army chief General , Ashok Raj Sigdel met a delegation of youth protest leaders and other key parties and discussed the way forward. Despite the violence, signs of civic resolve were visible in Kathmandu. Small groups of young people some wearing masks and carrying bin liners were seen cleaning streets outside charred buildings. Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport reopened, but hundreds remain stranded, including Indians. Among them are 130 from the Isha Foundation returning from Kailash Mansarovar, and dozens of tourists caught mid-transit. “The Indian Embassy told us to stay where we are until they can advise further,” said Mayur P10 Patil from Mumbai. @ Bhubaneswar The state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Wednesday gave inprinciple approval to a ‘new city development’ plan which proposes creation of a modern and inclusive urban hub within the Bhubaneswar Development Plan Area (BDPA) to absorb pressure of rapid urbanisation and growing population of the state capital. The project will cover approximately 800 acre of land across Gothapatna, Malipada and Daspur mouzas of the city . The cabinet projected a total investment of `8,179 crore over the next 15 years for the project, including public and private funding. An initial allocation of `1,342 crore has been proposed from the state budget for the first five years between 2025-26 and 2029-30. The funds will be utilised for land acquisition, road construction, core utility infrastructure, public CM Mohan Charan Majhi releasing a compilation of key decisions taken in last 25 cabinet meetings, on Wednesday Project to come up on 800 acre Land across Gothapatna, Malipada & Daspur mouzas `8,179 cr investment over next 15 years `1,342 cr proposed from state budget MoU between BDA and Surbana Jurong amenities and administrative contingencies. Addressing mediapersons after the cabinet meeting, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja said a significant milestone in the implementation of the project was achieved with the signing of an MoU between Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) Other names in play to head the new govt Apart from former chief justice Sushila Karki (pic), Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and former electricity board CEO Kulman Ghising were being considered to lead an interim govt. Karki is the only woman to serve as the CJ of Nepal’s top court France’s turn to be rocked by protests France, too, was rocked by protesters who blocked roads, lit bonfires and were met with volleys of tear gas on Wednesday in Paris and elsewhere, pressuring President Macron who appointed a new PM — 4th in 2 years | P11 and Surbana Jurong Infrastructure Private Ltd (SJI) of Singapore on January 17 in the presence of the President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam and the chief minister. Under this partnership, SJI will provide consultancy services for preparing the master plan and advisory support for urban infrastructure development in the g reenfield township. Planned as a multi-economic growth zone aligned with the state’s long term development vision ‘Viksit Odisha 2036’, the new city will feature state-ofthe-art infrastructure, including MICE (meetings, incent ive s, c o n f e re n c e s a n d exhibitions) facilities, innovation based plug-and-play hubs and data management centres. The new city has been planned as a transit-oriented development, focusing on efficient public transport, reduced travel distances and seamless access to a well-integrated mix of land uses.  Continued on P5 INDIA-US trade talks, which were stalled amid diplomatic friction arising out of Washington’s punitive tariff action on New Delhi, are likely to resume soon with US President Donald Trump striking a conciliatory note towards India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reciprocating positively . Late on Tuesday, Trump announced via a TruthSocial post that India and the US were trying to address trade barriers through negotiations. “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the upcoming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our great countries,” President Trump said. In response, Modi stated: “India and the US are close friends and natural partners. I am confident that our trade negotiations will pave the way for unlocking the limitless potential of the India-US partnership. Our teams are working to conclude these discussions at EU team coming Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that European Commissioner for Trade, Maros Sefcovic, will visit India on Thursday to advance negotiations on the India-EU free trade agreement the earliest. I am also looking forward to speaking w i t h P re s i d e n t Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people.” Government sources said the talks will resume soon, with ministries from tariff-affected sectors claiming they have been assured by the commerce ministry that a favourable deal is on the horizon. Confir ming the development, Commerce and Industry outreach to Qatar’s Emir PM condemns doha strikes by israel J ayanth J a c o b @ New Delhi Minister Piyush Goyal said that India is in talks with the US and other trade partners. “We are in active dialogue with the United States of America and with New Zealand. With Qatar, we will be finalising the terms of reference by the first week of October,” Goyal said at an event in Delhi. India and the US have been negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, with the first tranche expected to be completed by September-October. However, tensions over India’s Russian oil purchases led the US to call off the visit of its trade negotiators to Delhi in August last week, effectively stalling the process. At that time, the commerce ministry said the delegation’s visit would be rescheduled, but no new dates were provided. The US has since imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, pushing New Delhi to explore other export markets. Now, with the leaders of both countries signalling renewed goodwill, talks are expected to gain momentum. A government source told this newspaper that while no dates have been finalised yet, the next round of negotiations will happen soon. Radhakrishnan likely to take V-P oath Friday RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condemned the recent Israeli strikes in Doha during a phone conversation with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, calling the attacks a violation of Qatari sovereignty . “Spoke with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and expressed deep concern at the attacks in Doha,” Modi posted on X. “India condemns the violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly State of Qatar.” A readout from the External Affairs Ministry said “PM expressed deep concern over the attacks in Doha and condemned the violation of the sovereignty of the State of QaSheikh Tamim tar. PM appreciated the role being played by Qatar in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts in Gaza to achieve ceasefire and release of all hostages.” “Prime Minister Modi reiterated support for resolution of all issues through dialogue and diplomacy and the need to avoid escalation. :He highlighted that India stands firmly in support of peace and stability in the region, and against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the MEA said. Sheikh Tamim thanked Modi for the expression of solidarity with the people and the state of Qatar. NATO19scrambles to confront Russian drones in Poland Poland said that several Russian drones entered its territory over the course of many hours and were shot down with help from NATO allies, describing the incursion as an act of aggression carried out during a wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine | P11 Vice-President-elect C P Radhakrishnan is expected to take the oath of office on Friday, sources said. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place at 9.30 am at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Murmu administering the oath, sources within the government and the BJP said. However, an official confirmation is awaited. Radhakrishnan, 67, was elected Vice-President on Tuesday, defeating the joint opposition nominee B Sudershan Re d dy by a margin of 152 vo t e s . R a d hakrishnan se- C P Radhakrishnan cured 452 firstpreference votes compared to Reddy’s 300. Radhakrishnan is currently the governor of Maharashtra. He is expected to resign from the gubernatorial position by Thursday . The Election Commission on Wednesday issued the official certification of Radhakrishnan’s election. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and S S Sandhu signed the certificate, which was handed over to Union home secretary .