UK special election could see Andy Burnham replace Keir Starmer

LONDON (AP) – Keir Starmer isn’t on the ballot, but the U.K. prime minister’s future is on the line in a special election on Thursday. Voters in the Makerfield district of northwest England are electing a new lawmaker, and the leading contender is Andy Burnham of the governing Labour Party.

Bank of England holds main interest rate at 3.75%

LONDON (AP) – The Bank of England has held its main interest rate at 3.7% as the inflation pressures on the British economy have become more benign after the U.S. and Iran signed a deal to sign deal to end their war.

Robin Hood's 1,200 Year Old Oak Tree Dies

LONDON (AP) – A massive ancient oak tree linked to the legend of Robin Hood may have been loved to death. The 1,200-year-old Major Oak in Sherwood Forest is believed to have died after it didn’t sprout leaves this spring, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said Thursday.

US-Iran talks begin Sunday in Switzerland as Tehran closes the strait over Lebanon fighting

TYRE, Lebanon (AP) – Iran on Saturday said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel’s continued attacks in Lebanon and warned that while negotiators were going to Switzerland for talks with the United States on their interim agreement, not much likely will happen if the fighting doesn’t stop.

Church of England apologizes for forced adoptions as recent as 1970s

LONDON (AP) – The Church of England apologized Thursday for its role in forced adoptions as recent as the mid-1970s, acknowledging the painful experiences of many unmarried women at so-called mother and baby homes in the U.K. that were affiliated with the church.

A UK border official sentenced for spying on China's behalf

LONDON (AP) – A former U.K. border official and a retired Hong Kong police officer were given prison sentences on Thursday for spying on dissidents and critics of Beijing in Britain.

Keir Starmer says he's staying put after defense secretary's departure

LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed Friday that he will fight to stay in office after the sudden resignation of his trusted defense minister left his shaky leadership weakened still further. Starmer has seen the departure of several junior and senior ministers in recent weeks.

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Yoga enthusiasts perform in a mass gathering across India and other parts of Asia on Sunday to mark the International Yoga Day.