THIRUVANANTHAPURAM l thursday l September 11, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 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 Earth-based analysis needed: Scientists 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 ■ ■ 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 30 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 SHPITA D E Y & DIPA K M ONDAL @ 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 E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi 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 students 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. Advocate Raman Kumar Karna, speaking to Reuters, confirmed that protest leaders are seeking a meeting with the army to present the proposal. 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 Patil from Mumbai. Armed Police Force personnel stand guard on a road in the aftermath of anti-government protests in Birgunj, Nepal, on Wednesday | PTI 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 7,000 inmates escape from different prisons Five juvenile inmates died during a clash with security personnel at a jail in western Nepal, while more than 7,000 prisoners escaped from different jails across the country taking advantage of the protests Bring gold sheets back to Sabarimala, HC tells TDB What’s govt’s role in Ayyappa meet, asks HC Kochi: The HC on Wednesday raised questions on the state government’s role in the Global Ayyappa Sangamam organised by the TDB. It also asked the advocate general how the funds for the event will be collected and utilised, why should the state hold such an event as part of the TDB’s platinum jubilee celebrations and the criterion for selecting the delegates. E x p r e s s Ne w s Se r v i c e @Kochi Coming down heavily on the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) for sending goldplated sheets of the ‘dwarapalaka idols’ of Sabarimala to Chennai for repair without infor ming the special commissioner or the court, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the board to bring the sheets back. It also sought explana- tion from devaswom officials for what it said was ‘wilful violation’ of the earlier directive. A division bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice K V Jayakumar said, “Since the repair work has been undertaken without proper intimation either to the special commissioner or to this court, we deem it necessary to direct the board to forthwith stop the repair work being car- ried out at Smart Creations in Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai, on the sponsorship of Unnikrishnan Potti. The items transported shall be re-transported back to the Sannidhanam.” The bench said the devaswom commissioner, executive officer and Thiruvabharanam commissioner shall show cause why action should not be taken against them for wilful violation of the earlier binding di● More on P5 rections. 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 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 aya n t h J a c o b @ 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. 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 oath on Friday RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi Vice-President-elect C P Radhakrishnan is expected to take the oath of office on Friday, sources said. The swearingin ceremony is likely to take place at 9.30 am at Rashtrapati Bhavan, with President Droupadi Mur- C P Radhakrishnan mu 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 opposi, tion nominee B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes. 16 pages, including 4 pages of THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Express