LONDON, April 21-22 (Reuters) - New parliamentary testimony this week deepened the political crisis facing Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. Former top Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins told MPs he faced “constant pressure” from Downing Street to speed the appointment and that the process was treated as a near certainty, even as the Cabinet Office’s UK Security Vetting unit had flagged Mandelson as a borderline or potentially denied case. Starmer has said he was “wrong” to appoint Mandelson and regrets the decision, but has blamed officials for failing to tell him that independent vetting officers had recommended clearance be denied. Robbins was sacked last week; his evidence and reporting that Downing Street sought a role for ex-aide Matthew Doyle have fuelled calls for Starmer’s resignation and exposed divisions in cabinet. Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister’s former chief of staff, and senior civil servants are due to give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee this week as police continue inquiries linked to Mandelson’s ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI, April 21-22 — U.S. forces have intercepted and redirected at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka as Washington enforces a naval blockade on Iranian ports, shipping and security sources told Reuters. Vessels named in tracking data included the supertankers Dorena and Deep Sea and the Sevin; U.S. Central Command said Dorena was under escort after attempting to breach the blockade. The moves came as Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired on and seized ships in the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of gunfire striking at least three container vessels and two vessels taken to Iranian shores. President Donald Trump on April 21 said he would indefinitely extend a ceasefire to allow talks to continue, though Tehran has yet to confirm attendance. The closure and interdictions have choked about one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows, lifting Brent and U.S. crude toward $100 a barrel, squeezing insurance markets and prompting shipping disruptions and broader market volatility.

U.S. Representative David Scott, a Georgia Democrat and the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, died on April 22, 2026, at age 80, his office said. Scott represented the Atlanta-area 13th District since 2003 and had been seeking a 13th term in a Democratic primary scheduled for May 19. His staff called the death unexpected; further details were not immediately released. A veteran lawmaker, Scott began his political career in the Georgia legislature in 1974 and was a longtime voice on farm policy, food-aid programs and support for historically Black colleges and universities. Tributes poured in from House Democrats and Georgia officials. Scott’s death is the fifth member to die during the 119th Congress and briefly alters the narrow balance in the House, increasing the GOP margin amid several recent resignations and vacancies. Under Georgia law the governor must call a special election within 10 days of a vacancy and the contest must occur at least 30 days after that declaration, creating a potential scramble in an already competitive midterm cycle.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 21 he would indefinitely extend a ceasefire with Iran to allow further peace talks, a move that appeared unilateral and was not immediately accepted by Tehran or Israel. The announcement coincided with renewed maritime incidents: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz and multiple vessels were reportedly fired upon, while U.S. forces intercepted and diverted at least three Iranian-flagged oil tankers in Asian waters. The Strait — which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and LNG flows — has effectively been disrupted, pushing Brent above $100 a barrel and U.S. crude toward the low $90s. Global markets grappled with the mixed signals: U.S. equities advanced on ceasefire relief (S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached recent highs), while European and Asian indices showed uneven moves. The dollar and U.S. Treasury yields edged higher; gold and some precious metals firmed. Central banks and markets adopted a wait-and-see stance ahead of upcoming policy meetings, and energy and insurance markets signalled rising costs and logistical strains for global trade and transport.

U.S. political and industry leaders weighed in this week after reports that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby floated a possible tie-up with American Airlines. In a Reuters interview on April 21, President Donald Trump said he opposed a United–American merger, while indicating he would welcome interest in struggling Spirit Airlines. Kirby, on United’s April 22 earnings call, played down consolidation rumours and declined to comment on earlier reports that he had raised the idea with Trump in a February meeting. American has publicly said it is not interested in talks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the proposal “interesting” but said United would need to make a stronger consumer case. Senators including Elizabeth Warren and Mike Lee have asked the carriers for responses about competition concerns by May 3, noting a combined carrier would control roughly 40% of U.S. domestic capacity and likely face steep antitrust scrutiny. United argued consolidation talk reflects broader worries about U.S. carriers’ global competitiveness versus large Middle Eastern and Asian airlines and pointed to alliance partnerships as an alternative. Shares of United and American dipped after the reports.