World Briefs

Flash floods in Indonesia leave at least 11 dead, 13 missing

cape canaveral: Mars rover Perseverance has uncovered rocks in a dry river channel that may hold potential signs of ancient microscopic life, scientists reported Wednesday. They stressed that in-depth analysis is needed of the sample gathered there by Perseverance — ideally in labs on Earth — before reaching any conclusions. Roaming Mars since 2021, the rover cannot directly detect life. Instead, it carries a drill to penetrate rocks and tubes to hold the samples gathered from places judged most suitable for hosting life billions of years ago. The samples are awaiting retrieval to Earth — an ambitious plan that’s on hold as NASA seeks cheaper, quicker options.

Britain’s Prince Harry to meet with his father, King Charles

london: Prince Harry arrived Wednesday at Clarence House in London for an expected meeting with his father, King Charles III, British media reported. The meeting would be their first in well over a year. The two have been estranged since Harry and his wife, Meghan, left royal life and moved to California in 2020 and then publicly aired grievances about his family. The Duke of Sussex has been in the U.K. for a series of visits to charities he supports, and speculation has been swirling that he might meet his father. The last time Harry and Charles met was in February 2024, when the prince flew to London after receiving news that his father had been diagnosed with cancer.