Radio

(CNN) June Spencer, the last original cast member of BBC Radio 4 drama "The Archers," has retired from the show after more than 70 years, at the age of 103. The British soap legend, who played matriarch Peggy Woolley (formerly Archer), made her debut in the first-ever episode of the much-loved drama in 1951. Her final performance was broadcast on July 31. "In 1950 I helped to plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted out and called 'The Archers,'" Spencer said in a statement on the BBC website. "Over the years it has thrived and become a splendid great tree with many branches." In 1991, "The Archers" celebrated 40 years on the air with a special edition featuring the wedding of Peggy Archer, played by June Spencer, and Jack Woolley, played by Arnold Peters. Explaining her decision to leave the show after seven decades, she said: "This old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe so I decided it was … [Read more...] about BBC soap legend June Spencer retires at age 103

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The U.S. deputy secretary of state said Monday the prime minister of the Solomon Islands “missed an important opportunity” by failing to attend a memorial service to mark the anniversary of a key World War II battle, amid concerns the South Pacific island nation is building closer ties with China. Wendy Sherman and U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy were among dignitaries who attended a dawn service near the capital Honiara on Sunday to commemorate the Battle of Guadalcanal. Sherman’s father, Marine Mal Sherman, and Kennedy’s father, the late President John F. Kennedy, almost died in fighting on the Solomons. Kennedy had been the commander of a patrol torpedo boat that was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. Sherman was wounded during the Guadalcanal campaign, which was the Japanese army’s first defeat of WWII. Local … [Read more...] about US official says Solomon Islands leader ‘missed opportunity’

Fifty-three people were shot, six of them fatally, during the weekend in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s (D) Chicago. Breitbart News reported 45 people were shot Friday into Sunday morning, and four of those shooting victims succumbed to their wounds. ABC 7 / Chicago Sun-Times noted the overall number of weekend shooting victims was at 52 by Monday morning, with at least two additional shooting fatalities. The first of the three additional shooting fatalities occurred Sunday at 12:22 a.m., when a 43-year-old man was shot was standing outside “in the 2800 block of West Wilcox Street.” The 43-year-old was rushed to a hospital, where he died. The next fatal shooting was discovered at 2:35 a.m., when police found a man aged 20 to 30 lying in the street “in the 4000 block of West Monroe Street.” The man had been shot multiple times. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Chicago’s weekend violence was quickly followed by another shooting fatality on Monday. … [Read more...] about 53 Shot During Weekend in Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Chicago