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Washington, April 11 (IANS) NASA’s Artemis II astronauts splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 8:07 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, completing a historic 10-day mission around the Moon and marking humanity’s return to deep space after more than 50 years.

The Orion spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, made a parachute-assisted landing as recovery teams moved in to retrieve the crew, NASA said in official updates.

“SPLASHDOWN!” NASA said, confirming the crew was “back on Earth” after completing the mission.

“What a journey,” Wiseman said moments after landing during a livestream. “We are stable one. Four green crewmembers.”

The mission marked the first crewed test flight of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket, sending astronauts beyond low Earth orbit, around the Moon and back.

According to reporting by Smithsonian Magazine, the crew completed a nearly 10-day journey and splashed down off the California coast, marking the first time humans have travelled near the Moon in more than half a century and setting the stage for future lunar missions.

During the mission, the astronauts travelled as far as 252,756 miles from Earth, breaking the previous distance record set during the Apollo 13 mission, and observed the Moon’s far side and multiple lunar surface targets, including ancient basins and craters.

The flight also marked several milestones: Glover became the first Black astronaut to reach the Moon’s vicinity, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first Canadian.

The journey was not without technical challenges. Minor issues, including problems with the spacecraft’s toilet system and unusual odours inside the cabin, were reported during the mission, though they did not affect its outcome, Smithsonian Magazine noted.

Re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere was one of the most demanding phases. The spacecraft travelled at about 25,000 miles per hour and endured temperatures approaching 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit as superheated plasma built up around the capsule.

NASA said the capsule deployed drogue and main parachutes in sequence before splashing down in the Pacific, where recovery teams approached in boats and later transported the astronauts by helicopter to the USS John P. Murtha for medical checks.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the mission. “I just couldn’t be more proud of the entire workforce, the years, the effort, the late nights, all the hard work from across the country that contributed to this incredible moment,” he said.

The successful return drew praise from across the US government. The State Department said the mission “has shown the world what is possible,” while President Donald Trump called the trip “spectacular” and the landing “perfect,” adding that he looked forward to welcoming the crew to the White House.

Artemis II is a key step in NASA’s broader lunar programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustained presence there. The next mission, Artemis III, is expected to test docking capabilities and pave the way for a crewed landing on the lunar surface later this decade.

--IANS

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United Nations, April 11 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the US-Iran talks scheduled to start in Islamabad over the weekend, his spokesperson said.

"He calls on the parties to seize this diplomatic opportunity to engage in good faith toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement, with a view to deescalation and the prevention of a return to hostilities," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a daily briefing, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter," Dujarric said.

The UN chief's personal envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences, Jean Arnault, continues to be in the region to support diplomatic efforts, Dujarric added.

The temporary ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel was achieved early Wednesday, despite which Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon.

Meanwhile, a high-level Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to participate in the upcoming talks with the United States, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The delegation also includes Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

The United States and Iran are scheduled to begin negotiations on Saturday morning during the diplomatic window of a two-week conditional truce announced on Tuesday, more than one month after the start of US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran.

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been strained as Israel continues striking Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf have stressed that stopping the attacks on Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefire.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 11 (IANS) A high-level Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to participate in the upcoming talks with the United States, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement.

The delegation also includes Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

According to the statement, the Iranian delegation was received upon arrival by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi.

Ishaq Dar expressed hope that the parties would engage constructively and reiterated Pakistan's willingness to continue facilitating efforts toward a lasting and durable solution to the conflict, Xinhua news agency reported.

The United States and Iran are scheduled to begin negotiations on Saturday morning during the diplomatic window of a two-week conditional truce announced on Tuesday, more than one month after the start of US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran.

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been strained as Israel continues striking Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group in Lebanon. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf have stressed that stopping the attacks on Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Friday demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Iran's blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations with the United States.

He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X while elaborating on Iran's preconditions for taking part in the talks to ease tensions in the Middle East, which are expected to take place in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the warring parties.

Also, Foreign Minister Araghchi, earlier on Friday called on the United States to fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire regarding the necessity to stop Israel's attacks against Lebanon, the official news agency IRNA reported.

He made the remarks in a phone call with Iran's proposed ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, on Friday afternoon, while condemning Israel's ongoing "military aggressions and crimes" against Lebanon and underlining the full support and solidarity of the Iranian government and people for and with Lebanon's "legitimate resistance" against Israel.

--IANS

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Washington, April 11 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that US negotiators will discuss the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz with the Iranians in Pakistan on Saturday, asserting the crucial global energy waterway will reopen soon and "automatically," with or without Iran's cooperation.

"That will open up automatically," Trump told reporters. He later said he believed the waterway would be open "fairly soon."

"I think it's going to go pretty quickly. And if it doesn't, we'll be able to finish it off one way or the other," Trump said of the strait, which Iran effectively closed during the more than one month long US-Israeli war against Iran, Xinhua news agency reported.

Trump said his main focus in a deal with Iran was ensuring that Tehran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

"No nuclear weapon. That's 99 per cent of it," Trump said.

Trump also claimed on Friday that Iran has "no cards" other than short-term "extortion" with the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Iran on Friday declared that its armed forces remain at full readiness, just as during the 40-day "asymmetric battle," given the "frequent breaches of promises" by the United States and Israel.

"The Iranians don't seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social Friday. "The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!"

Earlier on Friday, Trump told The New York Post in a phone interview the outcomes of negotiations with Iran will be clear "in about 24 hours," threatening that US warships are being reloaded to resume strikes on Iran if peace talks in Pakistan fail.

The United States, Iran and Israel have all claimed victory in the war. Analysts believe the current ceasefire is fragile and that competing interests and long-standing differences would make it difficult to reach a permanent peace deal in the upcoming negotiations.

--IANS

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Washington, April 11 (IANS) The NASA’s Artemis II mission has successfully concluded, marking a major milestone in humanity’s return to deep space exploration with the four-member crew, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, safely splashed down after completing a historic 10-day journey around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.

NASA posted on X, “Welcome home Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy! The Artemis II astronauts have splashed down at 8:07pm ET (0007 UTC April 11), bringing their historic 10-day mission around the Moon to an end.”

In another post earlier, the agency highlighted the spacecraft’s descent, stating, “Orion's main parachute has deployed. The spacecraft has a system of 11 chutes that will slow it down from around 300 mph to 20 mph for splashdown.”

The mission has garnered global attention, as it marks humanity’s return to deep space exploration beyond low Earth orbit for the first time in over five decades. NASA described the journey as one that carried astronauts farther than any human has ever travelled, underscoring its significance in paving the way for future lunar missions.

During the mission, the crew set a new distance record by travelling 248,655 miles from Earth and eventually reaching approximately 252,756 miles at the farthest point. This surpasses the previous record set during the Apollo 13 mission, establishing a new benchmark in human spaceflight.

Officials said the mission was designed to rigorously test the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft in a deep-space environment with astronauts on board. The lunar flyby was a critical step in validating systems that will support future missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon.

Dr Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, said the achievement reflects the agency’s commitment to pushing boundaries. From orbit, Hansen noted that the milestone honours the legacy of earlier space pioneers while opening a new chapter in exploration.

Artemis II is widely seen as a crucial step toward NASA’s long-term goal of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon, setting the stage for even more ambitious missions in the years ahead.

--IANS

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Dhaka: At a time when antisemitism is resurging across continents — manifesting in rhetoric, violence, and organised incitement — the response of democratic governments remains uneven and, at times, troublingly inconsistent. While some nations continue to permit the entry and public amplification of extremist clerics, others are beginning to recognise the dangers posed by such figures. Australia’s recent actions against foreign preachers accused of spreading anti-Jewish hatred offer a notable example of the latter — and raise urgent questions about global standards in confronting hate.

For years, Islamist preachers have operated across Western societies through conferences, religious gatherings, and diaspora networks, often using these platforms to promote hostility toward Jews, Israel, and non-Muslim communities more broadly. These messages — frequently framed as theological or political commentary — have, in many cases, crossed into explicit antisemitic conspiracy theories and dehumanising rhetoric.

Against this backdrop, Australia has taken steps that signal a shift toward stricter scrutiny.

On April 5, Australian authorities cancelled the visa of Bangladeshi preacher Shaykh Ahmadullah over alleged antisemitic remarks, effectively preventing him from proceeding with planned speaking engagements in the country. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs is currently reviewing whether to impose a permanent ban, with a decision expected imminently.

The decision followed controversy surrounding Ahmadullah’s statements about Jewish people. In a video cited by 'The Telegraph', he suggested that even minor conflicts should be viewed through the lens of a supposed “Jewish conspiracy”, further alleging that Jews act as hidden orchestrators behind global unrest. Such rhetoric echoes long-standing antisemitic tropes that have historically fueled prejudice and violence.

Ahmadullah’s case is not isolated. Earlier, another Bangladeshi preacher, Mizanur Rahman Azhari, was deported from Australia midway through a nationwide speaking tour after past statements resurfaced. Azhari has described Jews as the “biggest terrorists in the world” and referred to Adolf Hitler as a “divine punishment” against them — remarks that go far beyond political criticism and enter the realm of explicit incitement and historical distortion.

Events featuring Azhari had been organised by several groups, including the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC). According to 'The Daily Telegraph', Azhari — despite having previously been barred from entering the United Kingdom — had been granted a visitor visa to deliver sermons in Sydney and other major Australian cities.

Reports by 'Daily Mail' indicate that Azhari commands an audience of approximately 10 million followers online, underscoring the scale at which such messages can spread across borders. His Australian tour, branded as the “Legacy of Faith” series, included scheduled appearances in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra, reflecting a coordinated effort to engage Muslim communities across the country.

The content of Azhari’s past sermons has drawn significant concern. In a 2023 address delivered in the United States, he reportedly promoted a range of antisemitic conspiracy theories, including claims that Jews were responsible for global crisis such as the spread of AIDS. He also expressed admiration for Hitler’s actions against Jews — statements that not only distort historical reality but also risk normalising genocidal rhetoric among audiences.

Azhari is also reported to have links with Jamaat-e-Islami, an ideological offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. His international engagements have included invitations from organisations such as the Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), where he appeared alongside figures including Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Despite the controversies surrounding his views, US authorities did not revoke his visa or prevent his participation in such events.

This discrepancy in responses has not gone unnoticed. The Middle East Forum reported that Bangladeshi-American and other Bengali activists expressed concern over the decision by US border authorities to admit Azhari, allowing him to speak at an Islamist conference in Philadelphia.

UK-based activist and lawyer Mufassil Islam has similarly questioned how individuals with well-documented records of inflammatory rhetoric are permitted entry into Western countries. He has described Azhari as a “hate preacher” who has called for violence against ex-Muslims and promoted the subjugation of Jews and Christians.

Further allegations suggest that Azhari maintains close associations with Zakir Naik, an Indian Islamist figure wanted by Indian authorities in connection with terror financing — adding another layer of concern regarding networks and ideological influence.

Notably, the United Kingdom has taken a firmer stance in the past. In 2021, British MP Bob Blackman told the House of Commons that Azhari was spreading a “message of hatred against Jews and Hindus,” formally identifying him as a hate preacher. Subsequently, British authorities revoked his visa, and officials in Doha, Qatar, prevented him from boarding a flight to the UK.

Australia’s recent actions, therefore, place it among a smaller group of nations willing to act decisively when confronted with evidence of extremist rhetoric. At a time when Jewish communities worldwide are increasingly concerned about rising antisemitism—both online and offline — such measures carry significance beyond domestic policy. They signal a willingness to draw clear boundaries between freedom of expression and the promotion of hatred.

Yet the broader international picture remains uneven. Inconsistent enforcement allows individuals accused of spreading hate to move between jurisdictions, continuing to reach audiences and amplify their messages. In an era defined by digital connectivity, the consequences of such inconsistencies are magnified, as rhetoric delivered in one country can quickly resonate across continents.

For Israel and Jewish communities globally, this issue is not abstract. The normalisation of antisemitic narratives — whether framed as conspiracy theories or political grievances — has tangible consequences, contributing to an environment in which hostility can escalate into discrimination or violence.

Australia’s example raises an important question for policymakers worldwide: should the threshold for action be uniform when it comes to individuals accused of promoting hatred against identifiable groups? And if so, what mechanisms are needed to ensure that such standards are consistently applied?

Ultimately, the challenge is not only about immigration policy or border control. It is about safeguarding democratic societies from ideologies that seek to undermine coexistence by promoting division and hostility. Governments that fail to act risk allowing such narratives to take root, with long-term consequences that extend far beyond any single speech or event.

Australia has drawn a line. Whether others will follow remains an open — and increasingly urgent — question.

(The writer is an award-winning journalist, writer, and editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specialises in counterterrorism and regional geopolitics. Views expressed are personal)

Islamabad/New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The attention surrounding Pakistan’s role in facilitating a ceasefire between Iran and the US is largely symbolic rather than substantive.

While a series of social media posts from Iran and the US have been cited as credible evidence suggesting Pakistan’s role in brokering a two-week ceasefire, diplomatic assessment and logical analysis do not justify the claims, a report said on Friday.

“After nearly 40 days of intense conflict in the Middle East, the guns have at least been silent for two weeks, but this silence hangs by a single thread that can snap at any moment. This ceasefire is a result of desperation and the lack of options. The US’s rapid strike exit strategy did not inspire confidence in the security community. The last attempt was to strike Kharg Island to assess the ground, but that also seemed to present an unstable and risky situation for ground operations. As the US ran out of options a day before Trump’s ultimatum, the US had no choice but to make a quick move for survival, facing diplomatic pressure, and thus a ceasefire circus ensued,” a report in India Narrative detailed.

According to the report, several factors indicate that Pakistan’s role in the ceasefire is “merely engaging in a high-voltage symbolism game through propaganda” to project itself as a central player.

The report mentioned that the diplomatic and persuasive significance remains absent, with Pakistan acting as a "simple facilitator" despite being desperately promoted by its media as a key mediator. Recently, Iran’s envoy to India dismissed the claims of Pakistan’s involvement in mediating the conflict.

“The only support Pakistan relies on is its Islamic politics, which limits Islamabad’s role in the conflict, allowing it only to act as an intermediary or middleman with very little diplomatic influence or impact on mediation, contrary to what has been suggested. Diplomatic wisdom depends on a crucial question: What leverage or influence does Pakistan hold to persuade Iran or the US to agree to a ceasefire? Barely anything, so what justifies Pakistan as the primary player in this event? Only symbolism,” the report noted.

The statements from Iran and the US acknowledging Pakistan’s role in mediation have been widely misinterpreted, portraying Islamabad as a key player in the process. “The main takeaway from the statements issued by the leaders of both countries is that Pakistan should act as a facilitator rather than a mediator,” the report added.

Speaking exclusively to IANS on Thursday, Reuven Azar, the Ambassador of Israel to India, when asked about Pakistan’s involvement during the war, said that it has not played any major role.

“We have not seen Pakistan participating in the war, but they have not been playing a positive role. The United States has chosen to use them as a facilitator for their own reasons. We trust the United States to implement the 15-point plan,” he stated.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 10 (IANS) A leading minority rights organisation on Friday condemned the custodial killing of a Christian man hours after Pakistani police arrested him on what it described as "fabricated" kidnapping charges.

According to the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM), police claimed that 42-year-old Iftikhar Masih, father of four children and a gardener at the University of Lahore, died by suicide inside the jail.

However, his family rejected the account, alleging that Masih was tortured to death while in custody.

Citing Iftikhar’s brother, Riyasat Masih, the rights body stated that Mohsin Shah, an officer at the Kahna post of the Industrial Area Police Station in Punjab province, made a “vile” demand of 200,000 Pakistani rupees to “resolve” the case, despite there being no FIR or complaint.

"My brother was innocent, a man of unshakeable character,” the VOPM quoted Riyasat as saying.

After struggling to arrange the bribe, the family was told that Masih “committed suicide", allegedly found hanging from a scarf tied to a ceiling fan.

The rights body stated that Riyasat, upon seeing the body, found bruises, scars, and marks of merciless beatings. “There were wounds everywhere,” he stated rejecting the suicide claim.

“No post-mortem report, no justice, just stonewalling from those who murdered him in custody. No girl came forward, no evidence surfaced. It was a trap, a fabricated lie to bleed the family dry. Iftikhar, 42, a provider for his four children, was reduced to a pawn in their corrupt game,” the VOPM stated.

“Rage erupted like a storm. Over 300 Christians, hearts ablaze with shared pain, blockaded the station. They halted an ambulance, their cries echoing Iftikhar’s innocence—forcing the world to listen. Provincial lawmaker Falbous Christopher stormed in, demanding accountability," it added.

Following the protests over Masih's death, the police filed an FIR against the police officer Shah and his “shadowy” accomplice, while the rights body questioned whether it was sufficient accountability.

Expressing concern over the incident, the VOPM said, “This isn’t isolated agony. Punjab’s shadows hide horrors: the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan tallies 924 lives snuffed in police “encounters” in 2025’s first eight months. Extrajudicial killings, bribes, brutality—how many more fathers must die before the system weeps with the widows?”

--IANS

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Paris, April 10 (IANS) A leading international human rights organisation on Friday strongly condemned the passage of the 'July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Bill, 2026' in Bangladesh’s Parliament, which grants immunity from all forms of civil and criminal liabilities for acts committed by participants during the July–August 2024 demonstrations.

Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) said that the bill passed on April 8 converts an ordinance issued by the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government earlier this year into a “full-fledged law".

Expressing grave concern, the rights body said that the move constitutes a clear violation of the Constitution of Bangladesh and the fundamental human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Under this law, individuals who participated in the July mass uprising have been granted complete legal immunity from any form of criminal or civil liability for their actions. Furthermore, all previously filed cases, complaints, or legal proceedings related to such participation will be withdrawn, and the filing of any new cases on these grounds has been legally prohibited,” the JMBF stated.

The rights body noted that while the law formally provides immunity, in effect it institutionalises a “dangerous culture of impunity”, where serious violations may go “uninvestigated and unpunished”.

By shielding a specific group from accountability, it said, the law undermines the rule of law and independence of the judiciary in Bangladesh.

Citing international human rights law, the JMBF said that the development is extremely alarming.

“As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Bangladesh is obligated to ensure justice, accountability, and the right to an effective remedy. However, by granting sweeping immunity that leads to de facto impunity, this law effectively halts judicial processes in cases of potential human rights violations,” the rights body mentioned.

“This law not only conceals past wrongdoing but also sets a dangerous precedent for the future, encouraging unlawful acts with the expectation of protection from accountability. Such a framework weakens state accountability, erodes public trust in the legal system, and severely undermines democratic governance,” it added.

JMBF called for the immediate repeal of this law, the independent and impartial investigation into all alleged offences, the assurance of justice for victims, and the restoration of judicial independence.

It also urged the United Nations, the European Union, other intergovernmental organisations, international human rights bodies, and all pro-democracy forces to stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in their “pursuit of justice and against impunity”.

--IANS

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London, April 10 (IANS) The Baloch National Movement (BNM) staged a protest in London outside the Prime Minister’s House against ongoing human rights violations across Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, collective punishment, and the “genocide” of civilians by the Pakistani forces.

The demonstrations held this week were part of the month-long BNM Global Campaign running from March 10 and brought together a large number of members of the Baloch diaspora.

According to the BNM, during the protests, a structured awareness campaign was launched, with activists distributing pamphlets at key political, media, and tourist locations across the city to raise awareness about the current situation in Balochistan.

These locations, it said, included the Prime Minister’s Office, the British Parliament, the headquarters of the media outlet BBC, and other prominent public places.

Addressing the participants, senior BNM leader Hassan Dost Baloch stated that Pakistan is “making the mistake of believing it can suppress the Baloch national movement through genocide."

Recalling the sacrifices of Baloch national leaders and the BNM leadership in 2009, he noted that “the movement has intensified since then, and today the Baloch nation is closer than ever to achieving its freedom."

He added that “the ongoing state actions in Balochistan are, in fact, clear evidence of Pakistan’s failure and defeat."

The BNM mentioned that other speakers at the protest - including human rights activists Abid Abdullah, Jasim Baloch, and Ahmed Abdul Hameed - also expressed their views and stressed the urgent need for greater international attention to the dire situation in Balochistan.

Last week the BNM organised a peaceful protest in South Korea’s Busan, highlighting the persistent human rights abuses in Balochistan and systematic military repression by Pakistani forces.

Held as part of its ongoing global campaign, the BNM said the protests aimed to raise international awareness and demand justice and freedom for the Baloch people, with informative pamphlets widely distributed to passers-by.

Addressing the participants, BNM member Bakhtawar Baloch delivered a speech in the Korean language to explain the dire situation in Balochistan to the local public and media while calling for global solidarity against the atrocities by Pakistani forces.

“The participants raised strong slogans demanding freedom for Balochistan and strongly condemning the brutality of the Pakistani army. Slogans echoed calls for an end to enforced disappearances, the release of all missing persons, justice for victims, and freedom from occupation and repression,” the BNM stated.

--IANS

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