A U.S. federal grand jury has indicted ten Indian nationals for allegedly conspiring to commit visa fraud through staged armed robberies. The accused reportedly orchestrated fake robberies at convenience stores to help individuals falsely claim victim status and apply for U visas, meant for genuine crime victims assisting law enforcement. Authorities said some participants paid to be listed as “victims,” exploiting immigration protections. The scheme operated across multiple states and involved coordinated roles, including organisers and fake assailants. The accused had earlier been charged and released under conditions. The case highlights growing scrutiny over misuse of humanitarian visa programs. (PC: Getty Images)

NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully withstood extreme re-entry conditions, as the Orion capsule endured temperatures of nearly 5,000°F (2,760°C) while returning to Earth. The fiery descent, lasting around 13 minutes, marked the most dangerous phase of the mission, testing the spacecraft’s heat shield under real conditions. Engineers had earlier raised concerns after damage was observed during Artemis I, prompting trajectory adjustments to reduce heat stress. Despite risks, the capsule performed as expected, protecting the crew and ensuring a safe splashdown. The success validates NASA’s design improvements and is seen as a major step forward for future lunar missions. (PC: Reuters)

US Vice President JD Vance has arrived in Islamabad leading a high-level American delegation for crucial “make-or-break” ceasefire talks with Iran, amid fragile truce conditions in the Middle East. Pakistan is hosting the negotiations under tight security, positioning itself as a key mediator. The discussions aim to stabilise the ceasefire and address major sticking points, including sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear programme, and tensions in Lebanon. Iran has set preconditions, while Washington has warned against “bad faith” negotiations. With oil flows disrupted and regional violence ongoing, the outcome of these talks is seen as critical for preventing further escalation. (PC: AFP)

Kuwait’s air defence systems intercepted and destroyed at least seven drones that entered its airspace, highlighting rising tensions despite the fragile US–Iran ceasefire. The unmanned aerial vehicles reportedly targeted sensitive sites, including facilities linked to the National Guard, causing limited damage and injuring personnel, who are now stable. Kuwaiti authorities blamed Iran-linked actors for the attacks, calling them a violation of sovereignty, while Tehran denied any involvement. The incident underscores growing instability in the Gulf region, where repeated drone and missile threats continue to challenge the ceasefire and raise concerns about further escalation. (PC: Facebook)

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf carried images of victims from the deadly Minab school strike on his flight to Islamabad for crucial talks with the United States, underscoring the human cost of the conflict. The gesture refers to the February 28 attack in Minab that killed over 150 civilians, many of them children, and remains a deeply sensitive issue in Iran. Qalibaf’s move is seen as a symbolic message ahead of negotiations, as Iran seeks accountability, sanctions relief, and stronger ceasefire assurances during the high-stakes dialogue.

An Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, ahead of crucial talks with the United States. The visit marks a notable shift, as Qalibaf leads the delegation instead of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, amid earlier uncertainty over Tehran’s representation. The delegation includes senior lawmakers and officials, reflecting the political significance of the dialogue. Pakistan is hosting the talks as part of efforts to ease tensions, address nuclear concerns, and stabilise the fragile ceasefire in the region. 

US soldiers who survived a deadly Iranian strike on a base in Kuwait have described the attack as “movie-like” and chaotic, contradicting the Pentagon’s official account. Survivors said their unit was “unprepared” and lacked proper defenses, disputing claims that the base was fortified and protected. The March 1 strike killed at least six US personnel and injured over 20, making it one of the deadliest attacks on American forces in recent years. Soldiers alleged there was no effective drone defense and questioned why they were stationed in a known high-risk zone. The Pentagon has not commented, citing an ongoing investigation. (PC: NDTV)

Crucial talks between the United States and Iran are scheduled in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, with Pakistan facilitating the meeting amid heightened West Asia tensions. US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is likely to represent Tehran, though Iranian officials have issued mixed signals about participation. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is hosting the dialogue aimed at easing tensions, discussing nuclear concerns, and reinforcing a fragile ceasefire. The meeting comes as conflict-linked instability continues across the region, making the outcome diplomatically significant. (PC: Reuters)

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, concluding a nearly 10-day mission around the Moon—the first crewed lunar journey in over 50 years. The Orion spacecraft re-entered Earth’s atmosphere at extreme speeds before deploying parachutes for a safe landing off the California coast. The four-member crew travelled over 694,000 miles, setting new deep-space records and testing critical systems like the heat shield and life support. The mission marks a major milestone in NASA’s Artemis programme, paving the way for future lunar landings and long-term human exploration, including planned missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. 

Donald Trump has issued a stark warning ahead of crucial US-Iran talks in Islamabad, signalling potential military escalation if diplomacy fails. In a recent statement, Trump said American warships are being rearmed with the “best weapons ever made,” indicating readiness for a major operation. He emphasised that while negotiations represent a “reset” opportunity, failure to reach a deal would trigger decisive military action. The remarks come amid a fragile ceasefire and rising tensions in the region, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming talks, where diplomacy and conflict stand at a critical crossroads.