Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 13 Apr 2017

1. Trump U-turns to say Nato is 'no longer obsolete'

Donald Trump says Nato is "no longer obsolete", reversing his position on the organisation. Speaking at a press conference with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the US President called the alliance a "bulwark of international peace and security". He also said US-Russian relations "may be at an all-time low" after Russia vetoed a UN resolution condemning the alleged chemical attack in Syria last week

Donald Trump sued by two states over business links

2. Gun and knife crimes increasing in London, Met says

Britain's largest police force has warned of a steep increase in knife and gun crime in London over the past year, saying they rise came "against the backdrop of significant reductions in resources". Scotland Yard recorded increases in crime in almost every category, with offences using knives up 24% and gun crime rising 42%. The Met has had to make £600m in savings since 2010.

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Met warns of violent crime surge in London amid police cuts

3. Assad says chemical attack was 100% fabricated

Syrian President Bashar-al Assad says reports of a chemical attack by his forces are "100% fabrication". Assad told AFP there had been "no order to make any attack" and insisted his government had surrendered its arsenal of chemical weapons in 2013. However, more than 80 people died in the town of Khan Sheikhoun earlier this month, with the nerve agent Sarin thought to have been used.

4. United Airlines sued by passenger dragged off flight

United Airlines are being sued by a man dragged off a fully booked flight in order to free up seats for airline crew. Dr David Dao was filmed being forcibly removed from the plane at Chicago O'Hare airport on Sunday, sustaining injuries along the way. His lawyers said he is recovering in hospital. United Airlines said it will refund all the passengers on the flight.

5. House prices 'stagnant' and looking gloomy, Rics warns

The latest monthly survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) suggests its members believe the UK housing market is stagnating and expect the outlook to be gloomy. However, in some parts of the country, such as north-west England, prices are rising faster because of a shortage of property going up for sale.

6. 'Furious' nurses consider strike over 1% pay rise

Nurses have warned they might take strike action after being awarded a 1% pay rise, effectively a pay cut due to the cost of living. The Royal College of Nurses said its members were "furious" after years of underpayment, which amount to a 14% real-terms cut since 2010. The organisation has 270,000 members.

7. Leicester fans clash with police in Madrid

Leicester City football fans have been involved in clashes with Spanish police ahead of their team's Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid. Eight fans were arrested in the Spanish capital for causing "a mess" on Tuesday night while yesterday, police used batons to disperse supporters, some of whom were chanting: "Gibraltar is ours."

Atletico end Leicester's Champions League adventure

8. Cyclone Cook: New Zealand towns evacuated

Towns along the north-east coast of New Zealand's North Island are being evacuated ahead of the arrival of Cyclone Cook. The huge tropical storm was expected to make landfall early this morning UK time, bringing high waves, storm surges and mudslides. Parts of the country are still recovering from the floods of Cyclone Debbie last week.

9. US stand-up comedian Charlie Murphy dies aged 57

US stand-up comedian Charlie Murphy, actor Eddy's older brother, has died of leukaemia at the age of 57. He was best known for playing himself on the Chappelle Show and also co-wrote some of his brother's films. Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda said Murphy's "storytelling was hilarious and unforgettable".

10. Briefing: The best Indian restaurants in Britain

The UK has long been one of the best places to sample Indian cuisine outside its home country, but its due recognition has been hard won. It was as late as 2001 that Atul Kochhar became the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star while head chef at Tamarind of Mayfair, followed by another in 2007 at Benares Restaurant, spearheading the trend for fine-dining takes on traditional dishes.

Now, we are home to some of the most acclaimed establishments in the world, from stalwarts such as Veeraswamy – the UK's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, which was given its first star in 2016 – to relative newcomers including Gymkhana, which was awarded the accolade in 2014, just a year after opening.

These relaxed destinations offer fresh, vibrant and creative dishes that bring a new lease of life to this well-loved cuisine.