US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions in Congress over President Donald Trump and his “mental stability” during a hearing. Democratic lawmaker Sara Jacobs asked if Trump was “mentally stable enough” to lead. Hegseth did not give a direct answer. He instead defended Trump and said he would not engage in “disparagement”. He later called Trump an “incredible commander-in-chief who puts our troops first”. The exchange comes as Trump’s recent social media posts during the Iran crisis have raised concerns and drawn criticism from some lawmakers.

The UK government has raised the national terror threat level from “substantial” to “severe” after a stabbing attack in Golders Green, London. Security minister Dan Jarvis said people should stay “alert and vigilant” but “not alarmed”. He added the move was due to wider risks, including Islamist and far-right threats. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the decision may worry many, especially the Jewish community. She urged people to report concerns. Police said the attack is being treated as terrorism. Authorities added that security agencies are “working round the clock” to keep people safe. (PC: BBC)

The ongoing Iran conflict is triggering a wider food security crisis across Asia by disrupting fertiliser supplies. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global fertiliser trade has sharply reduced exports from the Gulf, pushing urea prices up over 40%. At the same time, China, the world’s largest fertiliser producer, has restricted exports to protect domestic food security. This dual shock is hitting Southeast Asian agriculture hard, especially in countries like Vietnam and Philippines, which depend heavily on imports. Farmers are cutting planting, raising concerns about reduced rice output and cascading food supply disruptions across the region. (PC: BBC)

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson stated that the United States is “not at war” with Iran as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution approaches. The law limits presidential military engagement without congressional approval. Donald Trump had notified Congress of operations on March 2, placing the deadline on May 1. Johnson emphasized that active combat operations have paused, with Washington focusing on negotiations and maintaining a ceasefire announced in April. Despite earlier military action, US officials maintain the situation does not constitute a formal war, highlighting the legal and political sensitivity surrounding ongoing tensions and diplomacy with Tehran. (PC: AP)

Donald Trump announced the removal of tariffs on Scottish whisky as a gesture to King Charles III and Queen Camilla following their US state visit. The decision reverses duties that had impacted the UK whisky industry, a key export sector heavily reliant on the American market. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed the move as part of broader trade understandings between the two allies. The step comes amid tensions over the Iran conflict, suggesting an effort to reinforce transatlantic ties. The tariff rollback is expected to boost UK exports while signalling continued economic and diplomatic cooperation between Washington and London. (PC: X)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn attention after saying he would urge King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India during the monarch’s US visit. Speaking ahead of a 9/11 memorial event, Mamdani highlighted the jewel’s colonial origins, noting it was taken by Britain in the 19th century. His remarks resonated strongly in India, where many view the diamond as a symbol of colonial exploitation and have long demanded its return. However, it remains unclear whether Mamdani raised the issue directly with the King. The diamond’s ownership continues to be disputed by multiple countries.

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)