News 27/04/26

The King and Queen have arrived at the White House at the start of their four day state visit.

Charles and Camilla were welcomed on the South Lawn by Donald Trump and his wife Melania, where the couples shook hands and embraced before posing for photographs and heading inside, with extended conversations seen during the visit.

Cole Allen, the suspected gunman in Saturday’s shooting at the White House correspondents dinner, has appeared in court.

The thirty one year old is charged with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. The judge said he could face life in prison if found guilty, and he also faces charges relating to firearm discharge and transporting weapons across state lines with intent to commit a felony.

Taylor Swift has applied to trademark her voice and appearance in the United States in a move aimed at preventing artificial intelligence impersonations.

Three applications have been lodged, including an image from her Eras Tour and audio clips of her introducing herself. The move follows similar action by actor Matthew McConaughey, as AI generated versions of Swift have appeared in recent years.

The cabinet member responsible for housing at Slough Borough Council has resigned and stepped down as a councillor.

Conservative member for Cippenham Green, Robert Stedmond, has left his role, with a by election expected in June. Slough’s mayor told a council meeting he had recently resigned, describing him as a friend with a quick wit and a love of sharing a craic.

MPs will vote tomorrow afternoon on whether Sir Keir Starmer should be investigated by a powerful committee.

He has been accused of misleading the Commons by saying due process was followed during the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States and that no pressure was applied to the Foreign Office. The Speaker has now allowed a vote on a motion to refer him to the Privileges Committee.

The end of the Birmingham bin strike is said to be within sight after more than a year.

Council leader John Cotton says there has been a breakthrough in the dispute over jobs and pay. He says a negotiated settlement is now possible, with an improved offer being prepared that could address issues discussed at Acas and allow Unite members to agree a deal to end the strike.

The last surviving member of The Ronettes, Nedra Talley Ross, has died aged eighty.

She performed in the nineteen sixties group alongside her cousins Ronnie Spector and Estelle Bennett, with hits including Be My Baby, Walking in the Rain, Baby I Love You and The Best Part of Breakin Up. The band’s official social media account announced her death, describing her as a light to those who knew and loved her.

Dame Sarah Mullally has prayed with Pope Leo the Fourteenth at the Vatican in a meeting seen as significant.

The Archbishop of Canterbury met the pontiff for private prayer and discussion before both delivered addresses. Although their churches differ on issues including women’s ordination, they found common ground. Dame Sarah also presented gifts, including honey from beehives at Lambeth Palace Garden in London.

A thirty seven year old man has been arrested by counter terror police investigating a series of attacks on Jewish sites in London.

The Metropolitan Police say he was detained on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts at an address near Barnstaple in Devon on Sunday and taken to a London station for questioning. There have been twenty six arrests linked to incidents in north west London since March, including attacks on community ambulances, a synagogue and former charity offices.

The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey says she is incredibly disappointed the prime minister met social media bosses before speaking to bereaved families about online safety.

Sir Keir Starmer held talks with Google, TikTok and Meta, urging them to do better for children. In a letter signed by twelve families, Esther Ghey said it was equally important he listened to their experiences. The government says it shares her determination to keep children safe online.

A new report says people in the wealthiest areas can expect up to twenty more years of good health than those in the poorest parts of the country.

The Health Foundation also found that average healthy life expectancy in the UK has fallen by around two years over the past decade, from 2012 to 2024. The charity says the decline represents a significant economic cost and should be seen as a watershed moment. Healthy life expectancy refers to how long people live in good health, based on surveys and mortality data.

The King’s state visit to the United States will go ahead as planned despite the president being targeted in an assassination attempt.

The UK ambassador to Washington says the four day visit has appropriate security measures in place. Sir Christopher Turner says both countries have been planning the trip for weeks. He added some minor adjustments may be made to engagements, but the overall plan remains unchanged.

One of the UK’s largest chicken producers and a water company are due in the High Court accused of polluting rivers.

More than four thousand five hundred people living or working near the Wye, Lugg and Usk have signed up to the case against Avara Foods and Welsh Water. Lawyers say it is the biggest environmental pollution claim in the UK. Both companies deny the allegations.

Oil prices have risen after plans for further peace talks between the United States and Iran stalled.

Brent crude increased by one percent to just over one hundred and six dollars a barrel, while US traded crude also rose. The situation follows the cancellation of plans to send a US team to Pakistan for negotiations. Supplies have been under pressure since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed.

A councillor who told a call handler to speak English has been reprimanded and must complete additional training.

Janet Cleverly made the comments while reporting fly tipping to Newport City Council. An ombudsman described the remarks as derogatory and humiliating. She apologised and told a standards committee she was mortified by her actions.

Police are appealing for help to find a missing fifteen-year-old girl.

Thames Valley Police say Aaliyah was last seen in Windsor at around ten to two in the morning on the sixteenth of April. She is about five foot three, of average build, with long black hair. Officers are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward.