King Charles began his historic address by thanking the American people for the warmth of their welcome, alongside Queen Camilla, saying that for 250 years the United States and United Kingdom have remained closely intertwined.

He then quoted Oscar Wilde with a touch of dry humour: “We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language!”

The King acknowledged a period of “great uncertainty” facing both nations, referencing recent violence in Washington in a sober reminder of the fragility of public life. 

With steady emphasis, he declared that such acts “will never succeed,” stressing that despite differences both countries remain aligned in protecting citizens and honouring those who serve. 

Charles repeated Donald Trump’s own words back: “The bond of kinship and identity between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable.”

In a more personal reflection, the monarch recalled his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who addressed the chamber in 1991, saying he was honoured to continue that legacy and to bring “the highest regard and friendship of the British people” to the States.

He joked that when addressing the UK Parliament, “an age-old tradition” still involves taking a Member of Parliament “hostage” at Buckingham Palace until the monarch is safely returned. 

Everyone started laughing.  He continued in the same tongue-in-cheek spirit, adding that in modern times guests are “looked after rather well” -often to the point that they “do not want to leave.”

Turning to the Speaker, he quipped: “I don’t know, Mr Speaker, if there were any volunteers for that role today,” prompting further chuckles from assembled lawmakers.

The European Union has expressed readiness to sanction Israel after a diplomatic crisis erupted between Ukraine and Israel following the unloading of a ship, carrying grain from Russia, to the port of Haifa.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of selling stolen Ukrainian grain. In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, “Russia is systematically seizing grain on temporarily occupied Ukrainian land and organizing its export through individuals linked to the occupiers.”

He added that the country was working with its partners and preparing for relevant sanctions on countries that are involved in purchasing stolen goods.

A European Union spokesperson told Euronews that the union has approached the Israeli foreign minister regarding the issue, adding, “We condemn all actions that help fund Russia’s illegal war effort and circumvent EU sanctions.”

They added that the ship was allowed to unload despite previous contacts between Ukrainian and Israeli officials.

The spokesperson said that the EU was ready to take by listing individuals and entities in third countries if necessary.

The Panama-flagged vessel was carrying 6,200 tonnes of wheat and 19,000 tonnes of barley to Israel.

The crisis has escalated tensions between previously allied countries.

Ukraine has generally maintained diplomatic support for Israel in recent regional conflicts. It welcomed Israel’s illegitimate military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Israel has yet to respond to the Ukrainian president and EU’s spokesperson’s statement. 

Taylor Swift is calling out her fan base for taking things too far sometimes.

While dissecting her songwriting process in a new interview with The New York Times published Tuesday, April 28, the pop superstar explained that there are a few traditions she shares with her fans when it comes to her songs. But sometimes, they can cross a line.

“There’s so many of [the traditions] now which is great, but there’s corners of my fanbase who are gonna take things to a really extreme place,” said Swift, noting that “there’s nothing I can do about that.”

The multi-Grammy-winner went on to share her thoughts about fans who like to do “detective work” and figure out who a certain song is about.

“When it can be a little bit weird for me is when people act like it’s sort of a paternity test,” she stated. “Because I’m like, ‘That dude didn’t write the song — I did.”

However, Swift acknowledged that it just comes with the territory. “You have to hold tight to your perception of your art and your relationship with it,” she emphasised, noting that once she releases a song, she also releases her expectations. “Hope you like it. And if you don’t, hope you do in five years. And if you never do then I was doing it for me anyway.”