King Charles jokes Americans ‘might be speaking French, if not for the United Kingdom’
Washington: Britain’s King Charles III on Tuesday used humour and history during a state dinner at the White House, remarking that Americans might “be speaking French” today if not for the United Kingdom.
Addressing US President Donald Trump and guests on the second day of his visit, the monarch referred to Trump’s earlier comment that Europe might be speaking German without US intervention, and responded with a light remark on historical ties, as reported by France 24.
“Dare I say that! if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” he said, adding that both nations shared warm ties with France.
The comment drew on the complex history between the United States, Britain and France, including the role of French support during the American War of Independence and earlier French influence in parts of North America.
According to a report published by The Independent Charles also made a reference to the War of 1812, when British forces captured Washington and set fire to the White House, describing it humorously as a “real estate redevelopment”.
Earlier in the day, speaking to a joint session of the US Congress, the King said the relationship between the two countries was shaped by both conflict and shared democratic values.
“Ours is a partnership born out of dispute,” he said, referring to historical events such as the Boston Tea Party and the evolution of ties between the two nations.
The state dinner, attended by senior officials and dignitaries, featured traditional white-tie attire, a format last seen during the 2007 visit of Queen Elizabeth II, and was seen as part of efforts to reinforce transatlantic relations.
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Yenepoya University conducts autism awareness campaign in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: The Department of Occupational Therapy at Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) conducted a community-based Autism Awareness Campaign at Fiza Mall and Ullal Beach in the city.
The campaign was aimed at promoting awareness, inclusion, and early identification of autism, in line with the global theme, “Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value.”
The programme was led by Dr. Dhayanithi K and Dr. Ananya Jana as organising chairpersons, with Dr. Anas, Dr. Amanda S. Phillip, and Dr. Ansu V. David served as organising members.
Students of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) programme participated in conducting the campaign.
The event included activities such as flash mobs, street plays, face painting, mehendi, and direct interaction with the public.
These activities focused on highlighting early signs of autism, the need for early intervention, and the importance of inclusion and acceptance of individuals with autism.
The campaign reached around 300 to 500 members of the public. It also provided students with practical exposure to community-based rehabilitation and public health education.
As part of the initiative, QR-based digital resources were introduced to help the public access reliable information on autism.
“Awareness is the first step towards inclusion, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes,” the organising team said.
The department thanked the university for its support in organising the campaign. It also acknowledged the cooperation of the management of Fiza Mall and the Ullal Beach Police Department in facilitating the event.
