Scotland's leader Humza Yousaf resigned, further opening the door to the UK opposition Labour Party regaining ground in its former Scottish heartlands during a national election expected to be held later this year.

Edinburgh

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced his resignation after serving for just over a year in the roles of both First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). Yousaf's decision to step down comes ahead of two no-confidence votes slated for this week, amid a period of significant political challenge within the country and his party.

Reflecting on the future direction of his party, the government, and the country at large, Yousaf concluded that the task of bridging the political divide in Scotland would be better served under new leadership. His resignation notice was formally communicated to the SNP's National Secretary. This move followed the recent termination of the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, triggered by a dispute over climate change targets, which further destabilized Yousaf's leadership.

The fallout from the end of the SNP-Greens partnership led to the Scottish Greens indicating their intention to vote against Yousaf in the impending no-confidence motions. The situation was further complicated by the potential need for Yousaf to negotiate support from Ash Regan of the pro-independence ALBA party, a former SNP member who had resigned from the party over policy disagreements.

Yousaf's departure occurs in the backdrop of declining support for the SNP, following the resignation of former leader Nicola Sturgeon, who has since been embroiled in a party funding scandal, though she denies any wrongdoing. Polling data from YouGov indicates that the Labour Party has recently overtaken the SNP in voting intentions for the upcoming Westminster election. The question of Yousaf's successor remains open, with former SNP leader John Swinney acknowledging his contemplation of running for the position. According to procedure, if the Scottish Parliament does not elect a new First Minister within four weeks, a general election will be triggered.



Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf quits

After just over a year as First Minister and Scottish National Party leader, Humza Yousaf, who was set to face two no-confidence votes later this week, has announced he is stepping down. After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I've concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm. I have therefore informed the SNP's National Secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader. It comes after Yousaf ended the SNP's power sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens last week, following disagreement over climate change targets. The collapse of the deal sparked two no-confidence motions, with the Greens saying they would vote to remove him as First Minister. To win the vote, Yousaf may have had to reach an agreement with Ash Regan, who quit the SNP last year. Regan is now an MSP for the SNP's rival pro-independence ALBA party. She had called for a reassessment of the Scottish government's policies on gender self-identification in exchange for supporting Yousaf in a no-confidence motion. Support for the SNP is falling, after the resignation of former leader Nicola Sturgeon last year, who has since become involved in a party funding scandal but denies wrongdoing. Polling firm YouGov said this month that Labour surpassed the SNP in voting intentions for a Westminster election. It is not clear who is likely to replace Yousaf. John Swinney, a former SNP leader, said he is thinking of standing for the role. If the Scottish Parliament fails to choose a new First Minister within the next four weeks, an election will be forced.

The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the foreign minister in a helicopter prompted public mourning as well as celebration by those who’d experienced Raisi’s brutal crackdown on opponents.

Tehran

Grief, celebration follows Iranian president’s death

Western allies are taking too long to make key decisions on military support for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Reuters in an exclusive interview in Kyiv. Zelenskyy also said he was pushing Western partners to get more directly involved in the war.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy says Western aid to Ukraine too slow

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission to appeal against his extradition to the United States on espionage charges. Assange argued at London's High Court he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a trial in a U.S. court.

London

Julian Assange wins right to appeal U.S. extradition

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Monday (May 20) applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Hamas leaders. Karim Khan said he was seeking warrants against Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes including "starvation."

The Hague

Israel-Gaza War

I.C.C. prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and all other passengers were killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, officials and state media said, after search teams located the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province.

Iran's president Raisi killed in helicopter crash

New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria State Governments are calling for the minimum age to use social media being raised to 16. It comes as the NSW Premier announces a social media summit later this year to explore the issue.

New South Wales

Calls for age restrictions on social media use

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip, residents said, as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid U.S. calls for a more focused military campaign.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. envoy visits Israel as troops push deeper into Gaza

A prominent member of Israel's war cabinet, Benny Gantz, has threatened to quit if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't outline a post-war plan for Gaza by early next month. There's also pressure from protesters who are calling on the government to do more to secure the release of captives.

Key ally of Netanyahu threatens to quit over Gaza

Sunday is the final day of the Premier League season, with both Manchester City and Arsenal in contention to win the title. A victory against visitors West Ham will guarantee a fourth championship in a row for City.

Manchester

Man City know ‘it’s win or Arsenal will be champions’

New York police have beaten and arrested several protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Brooklyn, according to witnesses. The New York Post said at least 12 people were arrested.

New York

Pro-Palestine protesters beaten, arrested in New York

There were ugly scenes in Melbourne city as hundreds of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups clashed with each other. With tensions flaring, a significant police presence blocked off streets and separated the rival demonstrators.

Melbourne

Palestinian and Israeli protestors clash in Melbourne

A police officer has been stabbed in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack near Hyde Park in Sydney city. The injured constable then chased his attacker, who was eventually tasered by a patrolling riot squad officer.

Council of the City of Sydney

Police officer stabbed in Sydney CBD

Crews in the U.S. city of Houston are working to restore power to nearly one million homes and businesses, after storms caused widespread damage. A Texas official says some residents could be without power for weeks.

Houston

Seven dead after powerful storms slam Houston, Texas

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into this morning, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations.

Berlin

Floods in parts of northern Europe after heavy rains

One more person was killed and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives.

Nouméa

Some neighbourhoods out of control in New Caledonia riots

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Bamyan

Spanish tourists killed in Afghanistan shooting

Gregor Haas, father of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been arrested in the Philippines. Authorities allege that he attempted to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia, a crime that carries the death penalty.

Cebu City

Father of NRL star arrested in Philippines

A new temporary pier built by the U.S. is helping bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The first shipment of humanitarian aid has already started rolling into the besieged enclave, but UN officials say it's no replacement for deliveries by land.

Rafah

Aid rolls into Gaza as U.S. constructed pier opens

Surveillance video from a hotel in 2016 appears to show rapper and record mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, matching allegations she made in a now-settled civil suit against him.

Los Angeles

Video emerges of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting woman

The world's number one ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested early this morning on his way to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. He is facing four charges including assault of an officer, after allegedly dodging a pedestrian death investigation.

Louisville

Scheffler, top ranked golfer arrested outside tournament

Hundreds of French police reinforcements have arrived in Noumea amid deadly riots that have claimed the lives of five people. The unrest follows plans to change electoral rolls to allow more French residents to vote.

French force arrives in New Caledonia

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Jerusalem

Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Speaking at the end of his state visit to China, President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces advancing in Ukraine's northeast were carving out a buffer zone to protect Russia from attacks. Ukraine's top commander warned of "heavy battles" looming on the war's new front in the Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv

Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone' around Kharkiv

FIFA will take independent legal advice on a call by the Palestinian Football Association to suspend its Israeli counterpart over events in Gaza, the world body's president said Friday (May 17).

Bangkok

FIFA to seek legal advice over Israel suspension

French police shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city of Rouen. Officers opened fire when the assailant threw an iron bar at them and threatened them with a knife as he left the building.

Rouen

French police kill attempted synagogue arsonist

The United States military on Thursday (May 17) said it had finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip, with officials poised to begin ferrying humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Gaza floating pier project for aid deliveries complete

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.