THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 2025 FINDS STRONGEST CLUE YET OF POTENTIAL ANCIENT LIFE ON MARS epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard US COURT LETS LISA COOK TO STAY AS FED GOV A federal court has ruled that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook can remain in her position while she fights US President Trump’s efforts to fire her. PAGE 9 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 A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00  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 PAGES 12 Trump pushes India-US trade talks back on track Says no difficulty in sealing deal; there’s limitless potential: Modi P U S H P I TA D E Y & D I PA 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 EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ 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 stu- 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 Patil from Mumbai. P8 A soldier patrols 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 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 | P9 Day after Aishwarya, HC pulls up govt for Bachchan Jr files plea running schools from on misuse of his image tin shed classrooms E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi 307 ASIATIC LIONS DEAD IN GUJARAT IN 2 YRS The Gujarat government told the Assembly on Wednesday 307 Asiatic lions have died in the last two years, despite the administration spending `37.35 crore to prevent unnatural deaths. | P8 I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi BOLLYWOOD actor Abhishek Bachchan has approached the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights, alleging unauthorised use of his image, voice, and persona on digital platforms. After hearing the matter on Wednesday, the court said that it would pass appropriate orders. In his plea, Bachchan highlighted concerns over misuse of his likeness, including AI-generated content and deepfakes, for commercial purposes as well as in sexually explicit material. “All fake. There are videos using AI technologies to distort, a level which can create misunderstanding... may see how insulting that can get... It’s all fake news,” Bachchan’s counsel told the court. The plea comes a day after Aishwarya Rai Bachchan moved HC with similar grievances. Her counsel said unauthorised individuals were circulating AI-generated images and falsely claiming associations with her to collect money . THE Delhi High Court on Wednesday criticised the government for running schools from tin shed classrooms while hearing a PIL seeking state-of-the-art infra in three schools. The PIL, filed by civil rights group Social Jurist, said that around 1,400 students attending classes in makeshift tin shed structures at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Zeenat Mahal, Government Girls Secondary School, and Government Boys Secondary School in Ashok Nagar. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the government and the Directorate of Education to respond to the petition. Justice Gedela said: “We are in 2025 and it is very bad that the Delhi government is running tin shed schools putting students at risk. Not only is it a tin shed, it is also without walls, proper desks, blackboard…” The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 17, 2025. P3 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 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 Narendra 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. RUSSIAN DRONES LAND IN POLAND, NATO SCRAMBLES Poland said that 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. | P9 Cabbie held for molesting student in Maurice Nagar Action plan: Govt to microchip 10L stray dogs in 2 yrs E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi IN a move to improve rabies control, the Delhi government has announced plans to microchip nearly 10 lakh street dogs over the next two years. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to prevent dog bite incidents and strengthen animal welfare in the capital. The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Development Minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday which included De, velopment Commissioner Shurbir Singh, along with senior officials from the Animal A 48-year-old Rapido cab driver has been arrested for allegedly molesting a college student during a ride in north Delhi’s Maurice Nagar area, police said on Wednesday The student from Bengalu. ru in Karnataka shifted to the national capital two months ago. According to police, the driver identified as Lom Shankar, allegedly asked the student to sit in front and tried to touch her inappropriately The student got off the cab in the middle of the . journey and approached police. Acting on her complaint, a case was registered and the accused was arrested with the help of the cab’s aggregator. The vehicle has been seized and investigation is on, police said. In a statement, a Rapido’s spokesperson said that the company condemns the misconduct of the driver and is extending full cooperation to the police investigation. A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi RABIES CONTROL Move aimed at preventing dog bites and boosting animal welfare Microchipping to be done with UNDP Panel will be formed to oversee activities in animal markets Registration of pet shops in the capital will be made mandatory Welfare Board, Animal Husbandry Department, NDMC, MCD and other concer ned departments. With World Rabies Day approaching, it was decided that measures would be undertaken for rabies control. These include microchipping of dogs, prevention of dog bite incidents and digitisation of the vaccination process. Special emphasis was placed on “strengthening rabies control and dog population management in Delhi through microchipping”. The microchipping will be carried out in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. It was also resolved that an Animal Market Monitoring Committee would soon be formed to oversee activities in the markets. Mishra directed that a dog census and monitoring system be implemented at the earliest to ensure accurate data and stronger future planning. It was also decided in the meeting that registration of pet shops in the national capital would be made mandatory, for which a special monitoring committee woulkd be constituted. Mishra clarified that all related rules would be implemented soon, and every regional committee would be activated to ensure monitoring and action at the local level. 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. EXPRESS READ Chief secy rapped over J’khand local body polls The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday reprimanded the state government for failing to conduct local body polls despite court directives. The HC issued notices to Chief Secretary Alka Tiwary, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel among others for noncompliance of the court orders. Radhakrishnan may take V-P 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 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 .