Britain’s King Charles told the U.S. Congress on Tuesday that despite an age of uncertainty and conflict in Europe and the Middle East, the UK and the U.S. will always be staunch allies united in defending democracy.

“Whatever our differences, whatever disagreements we may have, we stand united in our commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk ‌their lives in the service of our countries,” Reuters quoted King Charles III as saying during a rare speech to a joint meeting of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and after a prolonged standing ovation at his entrance with Queen Camilla.

In a speech that Buckingham Palace said beforehand would not be political, Charles also made references to President Donald Trump’s criticism of NATO, highlighted the importance of continued U.S. help for Ukraine in its war with Russia, the dangers of isolationism, and even a call for the safeguarding of nature, an important issue to the king for most of his life, Reuters reported.

Trump has been highly critical of NATO and European allies, most recently over their reluctance to provide military help in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Trump has also been ambivalent about prolonged U.S. financial and military aid to Ukraine.

Charles referred to the September 11, 2001, attacks, saying, “we answered the call together, as our people have done so for more than a century, shoulder to shoulder through two world wars, the Cold War, Afghanistan ⁠and moments that have defined our shared security today. Mr. Speaker, that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine, and her most courageous people.”

Later, at a state banquet at the White House, Trump said that Charles did not want Iran to have a nuclear weapon, a statement the king did not comment on.

“We’re doing a little Middle East work right now and we’re doing very well,” Trump said at the dinner. “We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we’re never going to let that opponent ever — Charles agrees with me even more than I do — we’re never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.” In his own comments after Trump spoke, Charles did not speak about Iran or the Iran war.

Earlier, in his comments to Congress, in what appeared to be a reference to Trump’s “America First” agenda, Charles added, “I pray with all my heart that our lands will continue to defend our shared values with our partners in Europe and the Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”

The king was only the second British sovereign to address the U.S. Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spoke to both houses in 1991.

Later Charles met with U.S. tech leaders, discussing challenges for early-stage startups as the UK touts itself as a top destination for technology firms, according to Reuters.

The leader of Mali’s military government, Assimi Goita, on Tuesday made his first public appearance since insurgents launched coordinated attacks over the weekend, vowing in a televised address to “neutralize” those responsible, Reuters reported.

West Africa’s al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-dominated separatist group hit Mali’s main army base and the ‌area near Bamako’s airport in the attacks on Saturday, while also pushing Russian troops supporting government forces out of the strategic town of Kidal in the north.

Mali’s defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in Saturday’s attacks.

Goita had not been seen until his office on Tuesday afternoon published pictures of him meeting the Russian ambassador, Igor Gromyko.

The two men “discussed the current situation and the strong partnership between Bamako and Moscow”, and Gromyko “reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Mali in the ⁠fight against international terrorism,” Reuters reported citing a readout from Goita’s office.

Goita also visited a hospital where people wounded in Saturday’s attacks were receiving treatment, and expressed condolences to Camara’s family, his office said.

He then delivered a brief address on the evening news in which he declared that “the situation is under control” and said operations would continue until they achieved “the complete neutralization of the groups involved” in the attacks.

In a video message distributed on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the al Qaeda affiliate, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), boasted about Saturday’s violence and described it as revenge for drone strikes and other attacks perpetrated by Malian forces.

Russia said ‌on Tuesday ⁠that jihadi and separatist forces in Mali were regrouping after Moscow’s forces helped thwart what it described as a coup attempt on Saturday, preventing insurgents from seizing key facilities including the presidential palace.

“The enemy has not abandoned its aggressive intentions and is currently regrouping,” the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Russian forces were conducting active reconnaissance operations to destroy insurgent field camps and stood ready to repel further attacks, it added.

Mali turned to Russia for support after expelling French and U.N. troops following coups in 2020 and 2021.

Africa Corps, a paramilitary group controlled by Russia’s Defence Ministry, confirmed on Monday that its forces ‌had withdrawn from the northern town of Kidal in Mali after fierce fighting there.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran in a social media post on Wednesday morning, saying the country “better get smart soon!”

“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!,” Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social.

The post was accompanied by an AI-generated picture of Trump holding a gun with explosions in the background, and the words “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”

The post comes as the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded and as the status of talks with Iran remains uncertain, with attempts to continue negotiations in the last few days seemingly stalled.

U.S. negotiators were due to travel to Islamabad, Pakistan for more talks last weekend, but Trump canceled the trip, CNBC reported. 

“We have all the cards,” the U.S. President told Fox News, adding that if Iran wanted to talk, “they can come to us, or they can call us.” Previous negotiations led by Vice President JD Vance also ended without a deal.

Tehran has proposed that it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. lifts its ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and the war ends, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday.

The proposal would postpone negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear ambitions for a later date, Axios and The Associated Press reported earlier on Monday.

Reuters reported earlier Tuesday that Trump was not happy with Tehran’s proposal.

West Texas Intermediate futures continued to rise after Trump’s post to trade 2.82% higher at $102.75 after the post, while benchmark Brent futures were up 3% to settle at $114.62, according to CNBC.

Oil prices were already elevated after the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it would be leaving the oil-producing group OPEC on May 1.

Russia has extended the permitted period of stay for international road transport drivers from CIS member states and Georgia under a visa-free regime, according to a government decree published April 27.

Under the revised rules, the cumulative duration of temporary stay in the Russian Federation for citizens of CIS member states, as well as Georgian nationals engaged in international road transport, will increase to a total of up to 180 days per calendar year. Previously, the limit was 90 days within the same period.

The regulation requires affected foreign nationals to submit applications in accordance with established procedures for entry into and residence in the Russian Federation.

The Russian government decree is scheduled to take effect on June 30, 2026.

Earlier regulations had introduced a 90-day annual limit on stays in Russia for citizens of visa-free countries. Following that change, transport drivers in Armenia, a member of the CIS, had staged periodic protests, calling on authorities to engage with the Russian side to amend the rule, arguing that the limit was insufficient for international transport operations that often involve extended delays at border crossings.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029 will take place in Armenia and Georgia, the sport’s governing body announced on Wednesday, after the two countries filed a joint bid in 2024 to co-host the tournament.

“Armenia and Georgia set to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029! This will be the first ever FIFA tournament to be held in either country,” FIFA said in a statement on X.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hailed the decision as “important news.”

He said on social media that the matches in Armenia will take place in Yerevan, Vanadzor, and Ijevan. “We will soon actively begin preparing to properly host the tournament,” he said.

All necessary infrastructure is being upgraded.

“This is a very important event for all of us. I want to congratulate Georgia, and I want to congratulate all of us in Armenia—football players and fans alike—on this important event and decision,” Pashinyan added.

Armenian Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan attended the official reception held at the White House in honor of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla, the embassy said on social media.

The event featured speeches, after which King Charles III also delivered an address to Congress.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and top officials visited the province of Gegharkunik on Wednesday as part of regular trips across the country to inspect government-funded projects and meet residents.

He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Khachatryan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, and Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan. The delegation first stopped in the village of Berdkunk near Lake Sevan, where they attended the opening ceremony of a newly built kindergarten.

Pashinyan posted a video from the ceremony on social media.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that addressing water supply and irrigation challenges will be a top priority for Armenia over the next five years, stressing the need for improved water resource management and wider use of water-saving technologies.

He made the remarks at a meeting with residents of the village of Vardenik during a visit to Gegharkunik province.

“In the next five years, water issues will be a priority for us. To help you understand how important we consider water issues, I will say that just as peace was one of the primary issues in the past five years, water will be one of the priority issues in the next five years. My most painful observation is that there is not a single settlement in the country where there are no water problems. The good news is that we have water resources in our highlands, but we must be able to collect those resources and manage them properly. I should also note that we need to change the way we irrigate fields and orchards. There are water-saving technologies for that as well, and we will stand by our farmers on all these issues,” the prime minister added.

He further noted that in some communities, residents use drinking water for irrigation, which in turn leads to shortages of potable water.

“There must be both drinking and irrigation water everywhere, because if neither exists, the problem is not solved. If there is drinking water but no irrigation water, people will use drinking water for irrigation, and in that case there will not be enough drinking water. It is very simple logic,” Pashinyan said.

Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan has reiterated that the Pashinyan administration maintains constant focus on issues pertaining to the remaining Armenian captives and other detainees held in Azerbaijan.

Avanesyan was asked at a press conference whether she had any information regarding the health condition of the detainees.

“Coordination efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia regarding all issues related to both the health condition and other matters concerning Armenians held in Baku are continuously ongoing. I assure you that these issues remain in the spotlight through both international law and all possible humanitarian channels, under the coordination of our foreign policy department. These efforts do not pause or slow down for a single moment but are constantly in the focus of our government’s attention,” Avanesyan said.

The 19 remaining Armenian captives and detainees in Azerbaijan include former political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh, such as former presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arkady Ghukasyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; former Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

The Armenian government has repeatedly stated that it continues efforts to secure the release of the captives and other detainees.

Earlier in February, an Azerbaijani military court sentenced several former top political and military leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh to life imprisonment on war-crime-related charges, which are widely seen as fabricated and part of a sham trial. Vardanyan was sentenced to 20 years. He denounced the trial as a “farce” and denied all charges.