Elusive street artist Banksy has confirmed a new artwork in central London—a striking statue of a man marching forward with his face obscured by a large flag. Installed overnight at Waterloo Place in Westminster, the sculpture quickly drew attention for its political symbolism and bold placement among historic monuments. Banksy shared a video showing the installation process, sparking mixed public reactions. The piece is widely interpreted as commentary on blind nationalism or leadership. Known for provocative works, the artist continues to use public spaces to challenge political and social narratives. (PC: X)

Mojtaba Khamenei has issued a strong warning to the United States, vowing to introduce new legal and administrative controls over the Strait of Hormuz. He accused Washington of destabilising the region and declared that foreign actors engaging in hostile actions would face severe consequences. Khamenei said Iran’s proposed management of the vital oil transit route would benefit regional stability and economic interests, while reducing reliance on external powers. The remarks come amid heightened tensions following a US-led blockade and ongoing conflict dynamics, raising concerns about global energy supply disruptions and further escalation in the Gulf region. (PC: X)

The United States has returned 657 stolen antiquities valued at nearly $14 million to India following extensive investigations into international smuggling networks. The artefacts were recovered by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, with support from US Homeland Security, and formally handed over in New York. The operation targeted trafficking rings linked to art dealer Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Wiener, exposing large-scale cultural theft. Recovered items include rare sculptures such as Avalokiteshvara, Buddha, and Ganesha. Officials highlighted continued cooperation between India and the US, noting more efforts are underway to repatriate stolen heritage objects. (PC: Moneycontrol)

A US congressional hearing saw a sharp exchange over Donald Trump. Democratic lawmaker Sara Jacobs asked if the president is “mentally stable enough to be the commander in chief”.   She referred to recent social media posts, including a deleted AI image.   US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected the question. He asked if similar concerns were raised about Joe Biden. He said he would not engage with “disparagement” of the president.   Jacobs replied that Biden “was not our nominee” in the 2024 election. The exchange took place during a defence hearing. (PC: BBC)

Jonathan Hall, the UK government’s terrorism adviser, said attacks on Jewish people are “the biggest national security emergency” in almost a decade. He spoke after a stabbing in Golders Green, north London, which police have called a terrorist incident. Two Jewish men, Shilome Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, were injured. Both are in stable condition. Ephraim Mirvis said the attack shows that “if you are visibly Jewish, you're not safe”. Police arrested a 45-year-old British man on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers are also probing another incident linked to the same suspect. (PC: BBC)

Iran has said it will soon unveil a new weapon as talks with the United States remain stalled. Navy commander Shahram Irani said the weapon is “right next to them” and warned, “I hope they won’t have a heart attack.” The remarks came after Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal. Iranian officials claimed their forces carried out multiple strikes on US and Israeli targets. They said expectations of a quick victory had become “a joke.” Iran also accused the US of increasing its military presence. (PC: India Today)

The US Central Command has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, according to reports. The plan aims to break the deadlock in talks and push Iran towards a deal. Donald Trump said he will continue a naval blockade instead of immediate strikes. He called the blockade more effective, saying Iran is “choking like a stuffed pig.” Reports say possible strikes may target key infrastructure. Iran has warned of “unprecedented action” if pressure continues. Talks remain stalled with no clear progress. (PC: HT)

Police in London have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green. The victims, aged 34 and 76, are in stable condition. The Metropolitan Police arrested a 45-year-old British man born in Somalia on suspicion of attempted murder. Officers used a Taser after he tried to attack them. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it an “antisemitic attack” and said such acts target the whole country. Police said the suspect had a history of violence. Counter-terrorism officials are leading the investigation. (PC: BBC)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth declared America is "watching Iran 24/7" to monitor its nuclear programme, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee. Defending the Iran war, Hegseth stated Tehran's unrelenting "nuclear ambitions" made conflict unavoidable. President Trump dismissed Iran's latest peace proposal, warning Tehran to "get smart soon" and demanding complete nuclear dismantlement as a ceasefire condition. Meanwhile, UAE announced its exit from OPEC, shocking global energy markets, as Brent Crude surged past $112 per barrel. Diplomatic tensions deepened with Germany's Chancellor Merz publicly clashing with Trump over the war. In parallel, Lebanon's death toll climbed to 40 as the fragile April 17 ceasefire continued unravelling dangerously. (PC: The Indian Express)

King Charles III's historic state visit to the United States delivered charm, pageantry and carefully crafted diplomacy, but questions remain over its lasting political impact. While British diplomats never expected a full reset of strained UK-US relations, divided over Iran, NATO, Ukraine and trade as they hoped the visit would soften the tone. The King's gifting of an "HMS Trump" ship's bell was widely praised as masterstroke diplomacy. Addressing Congress, King Charles directly challenged Trump's isolationist ideology, declaring "the challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone." Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called the speech a "much needed morale boost" for Washington's deeply polarised political class.