UK general election announced for 4 July

Hello. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a general election on 4 July, the first to take place in the country in nearly five years. Chris Mason explains the timing's significance. In Myanmar, Quentin Sommerville reports on the young fighters taking on the regime - he's spent a month in the east of the country living alongside resistance groups. We're also hearing from India's D-voters prevented from taking part in the election, and taking a look at the world's most expensive feather.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The first UK July election since 1945

Mr Sunak became prime minister in October 2022 after winning the Conservative Party leadership contest. Credit: Reuters

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced 4 July as the date of the next general election as rain poured down and music blasted from just outside the Downing Street gates. It's the first July election to be held in the country since 1945, and it has taken some by surprise.

Was a UK summer election expected?

For weeks there had been a growing expectation the election would be held in the autumn, giving the prime minister at least two years in office and giving the economic outlook a greater opportunity to improve.

What's the reasoning for holding a vote sooner rather than later?

Those making that argument felt that things might not improve much. Also, the perceived desire of the electorate to have a say soon might risk making any Conservative defeat worse if the appointment with voters was pushed back.

What can we expect from the electoral campaign?

The Conservatives will say over and over again: Be careful what you wish for. Labour and others will say over and over again it is time for change. The outcome will be quite something, whatever happens. Either the opinion polls are broadly right and the party of government will change, or they are wrong and it will be one of the biggest upsets in recent years.

THE BIG PICTURE

The 'doubtful Indians' barred from voting

In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would solve the D-voter issue and abolish detention camps from the state. Credit: BBC

In India's northeastern state of Assam, there are some 97,000 voters who have a "D" for "doubtful" marked against their name, indicating that their Indian citizenship is under question and are thus barred from voting.

And finally... in New Zealand

A single feather of the now extinct huia bird has set a world record after being sold for NZD$46,521.50 ($28,417; £22,409) at an auction. Take a look.