UK News
UK and US always find ways to come together, King Charles to tell Congress | King Charles III
King Charles is expected to allude to recent strains between the UK and US in a rare address by a monarch to the US Congress as he will underline that “time and again our two countries have always found ways to come together”.
The king’s remarks in a speech to both houses on Tuesday will come after Donald Trump has threatened to tear up a trade deal signed by the UK and US, mocked the Royal Navy and insulted the UK prime minister.
Donald Trump’s anger with the UK and Keir Starmer is largely driven by the latter’s refusal to take part in the US and Israeli offensive against Iran, which continues to destabilise the global economy.
Charles and Camilla are in Washington on a four-day state visit to the US to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from the UK.
In his speech, the king is expected to reflect that while the UK and US have not always agreed on all matters over the past 250 years, the foundations of their “democratic, legal and social traditions” – stretching all the way back to Magna Carta – are such that “time and again our two countries have always found ways to come together”.
As Trump threatens to impose “a big tariff” on the UK if it does not drop its digital services tax on US technology companies, Charles will reference the importance of trade and technology deals that will play a vital part in the two countries’ continued economic partnership.
The start of the trip – Charles’s first to America as king – has been overshadowed by an assassination attempt against Trump at a Washington media dinner on Saturday night.
The monarch is expected to make brief reference to the attack and offer “the highest regard and friendship of the British people to the people of the United States” on the 250th anniversary of American independence.
It is only the second time a British monarch has addressed a joint meeting of Congress, after Queen Elizabeth II did so in 1991.
The king will point out how the US and UK have stood together through moments that have defined their shared history, and that “our defence, intelligence and security ties are measured not in years but in decades”.
As the war on Iran drives up the cost of living around the world, an effect that critics have called “Trumpflation”, Charles is expected to say that by defending and reaffirming their common values and ideals, the US and UK can promote security and prosperity now and in the future for the benefit of the world.
He will hail America’s natural wonders and stress how important it is to defend and protect “nature’s own economy”.
Referring to his faith, he will express his belief that in the hearts of the two countries lies “a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value people of all faiths and none”.
He is expected to conclude by noting that the story of both nations over the last 250 years is one of “reconciliation and renewal”, giving rise to “one of the greatest alliances in human history”, which he hopes will continue to safeguard their shared values long into the future.
The speech, which has been written on the advice of the government, is expected to last 20 minutes.
King Charles will address the US Congress on Tuesday at a time of diplomatic tensions between London and Washington.
Source link
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where fox hunting is still permitted.
Source link
UK News
Rebel Wilson tells defamation trial she was not behind websites that attacked producer | Rebel Wilson
Hollywood star Rebel Wilson has denied lying as she maintains she had no involvement in websites that attacked a producer with whom she is feuding.
The Pitch Perfect star is being sued by Charlotte MacInnes, the Australian lead actor of the musical comedy The Deb.
MacInnes claims she was defamed by social media posts from Wilson that suggest she is a liar who retracted a sexual harassment complaint to advance her career.
Wilson claims the young actor confided that she felt uncomfortable after sharing a bath in swimwear with The Deb co-producer Amanda Ghost following a medical episode in September 2023.
MacInnes denies making the complaint and says her reputation has been damaged by suggestions she retracted it for a lead role and a record deal.
The court heard the claims were referenced in smear websites created by a crisis PR team that described Ms Ghost as an “Indian Ghislaine Maxwell” and a sex trafficker.
Giving evidence in the Federal Court on Tuesday, Wilson denied authoring or ordering the creation of the malicious websites.
She said her US lawyer hired The Agency Group to assist her with a legal dispute with her co-producers, repeatedly insisting the firm had not been commissioned to work for her.
The firm is also accused of creating smear websites against Hollywood actor Blake Lively on behalf of her co-star Justin Baldoni.
Wilson rejected suggestions from MacInnes’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC that she was lying and pretending to misunderstand questions.
“You know you’ve lied about this topic for a year haven’t you?” Chrysanthou asked.
“No,” Wilson responded.
The Bridesmaids star said anyone could have created the word document from which the content of the smear websites appeared to have been sourced.
The metadata records the author as Wilson’s company, but the actor denied any knowledge of the document and suggested anyone could have used the name.
Wilson said she didn’t think she would have been horrified by the allegations against Ghost on the websites because the producer had been bullying and harassing her at the time.
She was questioned about a previous statement that she regarded herself as a champion of women and considered her commitment to The Deb was proof of that.
“Do you still say you regard yourself as a champion of women?” Chrysanthou asked.
“Yes,” Wilson replied.
“If you look over my 25-year career, you can see many evidences (sic) of me supporting women”.
The Deb director denied mistreating MacInnes and Ghost while working with them on the film, labelling accusations of private and public bullying as “absolute nonsense”.
“Inappropriate behaviour from a person in power to an employee is a serious problem,” Wilson said.
She had smiled as she entered the courthouse but appeared more guarded when she got into the witness box.
Wilson falsely portrayed herself as a whistleblower who spoke up to protect MacInnes when she was actually using the alleged complaint as leverage in a dispute with her co-producers, Chrysanthou claimed.
“This is how this bully, apparently this saviour of women, the protector of the harassed, responds,” she previously told the court.
But Wilson raised her concerns with others even though she had doubts about the veracity of the alleged complaint, her lawyer Dauid Sibtain SC said.
The central issue is not whether MacInnes was a victim but instead whether she complained to Wilson and then altered her story, he said.
“She changed her story,” Sibtain said in his opening address.
“She did so to ensure her career as an actress and musician progressed by appeasing Ghost.”
Sibtain argued MacInnes’ reputation hasn’t suffered any harm at all as a result of the social media posts.
The trial continues.
-
Crime & Safety1 week agoBicester man denies sexually assaulting two young girls
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoDrug driving arrest carried out in Oxfordshire market town
-
UK News1 week agoStarmer says it ‘beggars belief’ he wasn’t told about Mandelson vetting failure as he faces Commons – UK politics live | Politics
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoLorry overturns on Oxfordshire A43 roundabout with driver trapped
-
UK News6 days agoTV tonight: Shetland meets CSI in a new drama about a disgraced cop | Television
-
Oxford News1 week agoBanbury cake company with 400 year history shut down
-
UK News1 week agoFears over rogue parking by sunrise-chasers at national park after overnight ban
-
UK News3 weeks agoUkraine war briefing: Russian oil facilities burn as Zelenskyy tours Middle East | Ukraine