NICOLA STURGEON

The SNP leader wins a majority of votes from MSPs to become the country's sixth first minister.

Scotland's governing party has elected Humza Yousaf, a Muslim and a descendant of Pakistani immigrants, to be the country's next leader.

His ascension comes as both the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, are also children of immigrants from South Asia.

Scotland’s governing Scottish National Party has elected Humza Yousaf as its new leader.

The leader of the Scottish Labour party has repeated his call for a snap Holyrood election.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has addressed lawmakers for the last time as Scottish leader.

The race to lead the Scottish National Party has cracked open fissures over political strategy, social issues and the legacy of departing leader Nicola Sturgeon.

From Roe v. Wade to girls losing out on education in Afghanistan and women protesting in Iran, how the ground shook for women around the world in the past year.

Financial failure brought Scotland into United Kingdom. Only very broad success is likely to take them out.

Three members of the Scottish parliament will battle to become leader of the governing Scottish National Party.

A brilliant political career ends in humiliating failure because it was a tower of words, not action.

Scotland, Corbyn and Northern Ireland may signal less volatile days ahead.

A selection of powerful images from around the world, taken in the past seven days.

With her departure — which could be seen as a tacit acknowledgement of the failure of her independence strategy — the state of the cherished cause is unclear.

Scotland’s independence movement needs a new leader — and a new plan.

Dismissing good-faith questions about gender self-identification laws drained the Scottish leader’s authority.

The surprise resignation of Scotland’s First Minister raises questions about the future of the SNP as well as Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party.

Scotland's First Minister has resigned - here's what you should know about her.

After more than eight years as the head of her country's government, Nicola Sturgeon will resign from her First Minister post, she announced Wednesday.

Sturgeon, noting the relentless pressure of her job, said she knew "in my head and in my heart" that the time had come to make way for a new leader.

Sturgeon has been in office for eight years, making her the country’s longest-serving first minister, and has spent her political career pushing Scottish independence.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced her intention to resign.

Nicola Sturgeon is set to resign as Scottish first minister, Sky News reported, citing a senior government source.

Violent trans prisoner Tiffany Scott has reportedly been granted permission to transfer to an all-women's Scottish prison despite history of targeting females.

Isla Bryson was convicted of raping two women before starting to transition. One top U.K. politician says the "dangerous rapist should not be in a women's prison."

There’s a lesson for the UK (and Scotland) from people who’ve left New York for Florida. Incentives matter.

A transgender woman convicted of raping two women when she was a man while be incarcerated with male inmates, officials said

Britain’s Conservatives blocked a bill that would make it easier for trans people to transition, drawing criticism from LGBT groups and Scottish nationalists.

The latest brawl with the UK government is more than a disagreement over a new law on gender recognition.

The latest brawl with the UK government is more than a disagreement over a new law on gender recognition.

The British government blocked a Scottish law that would make it easier for citizens to change their gender on documents. The Scottish leader is willing to go to court over the issue.

Scotland’s leader says she will take the British government to court over its decision to block a law that makes it easier for people in Scotland to change their gender on official documents

Scotland’s leader says she will take the British government to court over its decision to block a law that makes it easier for people in Scotland to change their gender on official documents.

The British government says it will block a law designed to make it easier for people in Scotland to legally change their gender.

Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, visited Scotland this week. During Sunak's visit, he pledged to work constructively with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to work constructively with Scotland’s leader despite tensions over her administration’s wish for a new independence referendum.

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to highlight the benefits of remaining in the U.K. when he meets with the Scottish leader during his first visit to Scotland since taking office.

For a small but growing network of countries, the world's go-to metric of economic health is no longer fit for purpose.

The Sun has taken down a vitriolic column by TV host Jeremy Clarkson that slammed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their new Netflix series.

In a 2014 referendum on whether Scotland should break away to become Europe’s newest nation state, Scots voted to stay in the three-centuries-old union with England and Wales by 55% to 45%. Rather than settling the matter, though, the separatists gathered in strength and numbers. They became key political power brokers by winning most of Scotland’s seats in the UK Parliament. Now they’re laying the ground for another vote, even though the government in London has refused to allow one, and the pu

In a 2014 referendum on whether Scotland should break away to become Europe’s newest nation state, Scots voted to stay in the three-centuries-old union with England and Wales by 55% to 45%. Rather than settling the matter, though, the separatists gathered in strength and numbers. They became key political power brokers by winning most of Scotland’s seats in the UK Parliament. Now they’re laying the ground for another vote, even though the government in London has refused to allow one, and the pu

The case for Scottish independence has never looked weaker or more self-indulgent.

The U.K. Supreme Court has ruled that Scotland does not have the power to hold a new referendum on independence without the consent of the British government

The U.K. Supreme Court has ruled that Scotland does not have the power to hold a new referendum on independence without the consent of the British government.

Women are leading negotiations about the thorniest topic in the United Nations climate talks in Egypt.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is aiming to repair frayed relations with Britain’s European Union neighbors and with skeptical leaders in Scotland and Wales.

Downing Street had argued the prime minister was too busy preparing for the budget.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer did not condemn comments from a party member that claimed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is "not on your side."

Dana Bash interviews Kari Lake about election lies

Judges heard two days of legal arguments about whether Holyrood has the power to set up a referendum.

Judges at the U.K.’s highest court have begun hearing evidence on whether Scotland’s Parliament can legislate to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

What are the arguments set to be made about a Scottish independence referendum?

U.K. government ministers are imploring Conservative colleagues to rally behind Prime Minister Liz Truss after a disastrous start to her premiership.

Scotland’s leader says she will push on with her campaign to take her country out of the United Kingdom, even if she loses a Supreme Court case seeking the authority for a new independence referendum.

The SNP's deputy leader started the event by calling the PM a "symptom of dysfunction at Westminster".

King Charles III and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, have visited Scotland in their first joint public engagement since the royal mourning period to remember Queen Elizabeth II ended.

Queen Elizabeth II has been likened to the invisible glue holding the United Kingdom together.

All of the newspapers focus on the Queen's last journey from her beloved Balmoral to Edinburgh.

In a 2014 referendum on whether Scotland should break away to become Europe’s newest nation state, Scots voted to stay in the three-centuries-old union with England and Wales by 55% to 45%. Rather than settling the matter, though, the separatists gathered in strength and numbers. They became key political power brokers by winning most of Scotland’s seats in the UK Parliament. Now they’re laying the ground for another vote, even though the government in London has refused to allow one, and the pu

The BBC looks at how exams, the pandemic and government policy has affected the attainment gap.

The ex-chancellor seizes on a warning from the Bank of England at the latest Tory leader hustings.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has bolstered her front-runner status in the race to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The U.K. Supreme Court says will hold hearings in October on whether Scotland can call an independence referendum without the consent of the British government

The U.K. Supreme Court says will hold hearings in October on whether Scotland can call an independence referendum without the consent of the British government.

“If Putin was a woman … I really don’t think he would’ve embarked on a crazy, macho war of invasion,” the British prime minister told German broadcaster ZDF.

At least for now, a replay of the 2014 independence vote is the last thing the country needs.

At least for now, a replay of the 2014 independence vote is the last thing the country needs.

Nicola Sturgeon hopes to move forward on another referendum, bypassing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson if he refuses.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told lawmakers in Edinburgh that she plans to hold a fresh referendum on Scottish independence on Oct. 19, 2023.

Others responded in support of the move. The Vatican said that the decision would challenge “the whole world."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon claimed an “indisputable democratic mandate” to call another independence vote, but doing so without London's permission is legally fraught.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has started her campaign for a second independence referendum.

Scotland's leader says the Russian war in Ukraine only makes Scotland’s drive for independence from the U.K. more important.

Police said Monday that they spoke to Scotland’s leader to reminder her about sticking to coronavirus mask rules after she was filmed without a face covering indoors, Police Scotland said officers reminded First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of the “importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so.”.

Britain has banned any ship with Russian connections from entering its ports as part of efforts to isolate President Vladimir Putin’s government because of its war in Ukraine.

British officials say a coronavirus vaccine will be offered to almost six million children from 5 to 11 years old in the U.K. The government said young children will be offered a low-dose COVID-19 shot on a “non-urgent” basis beginning in April in England.

A powerful winter storm has swept through northern Europe over the weekend.

Scotland’s leader says she will renew her push for independence from the United Kingdom next year with the aim of holding a referendum on secession in 2023.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday broadened its recommendation for COVID-19 booster shots for all adults as the new omicron variant is identified in more countries.

Britain is extending its COVID-19 booster vaccine program to millions more people as part of efforts to tackle the spread of the new omicron variant, which is feared to be more contagious and vaccine resistant.

Queen Elizabeth II has opened the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament, reflecting on the “deep and abiding affection” she and her late husband shared for Scotland.

The resurgence of COVID-19 this summer and the national debate over vaccine requirements have created a fraught situation for the nation’s first responders, who are dying in larger numbers but pushing back against mandates.

The Scottish National Party and the Scottish Greens have agreed a power-sharing deal that falls short of an official coalition government but could pave the way to another referendum on Scotland’s independence from the U.K. in the coming couple of years.

Scotland’s leader has defended the ban on nonessential travel between the country and the northwest English city of Manchester after its mayor lambasted the decision and called for compensation.

The most anticipated summer in Scottish soccer in a generation started with a public outbreak of perhaps its deepest-rooted problem.

Scotland’s leader has told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a second Scottish independence referendum is “a matter of when, not if,” after her party won its fourth straight parliamentary election.

The Scottish National Party has won its fourth straight parliamentary election on Saturday and insisted it will push on with another referendum on Scotland’s independence from the U.K. even though it just failed to secure a majority.

British voters are casting their ballots in local and regional elections that could have huge repercussions for the future of the United Kingdom.

Scotland holds an election Thursday that could hasten the breakup of the United Kingdom.

FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014 file photo, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond poses for photographs in Turriff, Scotland. The former First Minister is setting up a new pro-independence party that will field candidates in the countrys upcoming elections. The governing Scottish National Party, which Salmond led for two decades until 2014, hopes to use the vote as a springboard to another referendum on Scottish independence, and is leading in opinion polls. The new party is the latest twist in a bitter feud between Salmond and with his successor as SNP leader, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Salmond was Scotland’s first minister between 2007 and 2014, playing a major role in transforming the separatist party into Scotland's dominant political force.

A Scottish parliamentary investigation says Sturgeon misled lawmakers about sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor. Lawmakers have been investigating the Scottish governments handling of sexual harassment allegations against former First Minister Alex Salmond. A report published Tuesday says Sturgeon gave lawmakers an inaccurate account of what happened at a key meeting with Salmond in 2018 and "misled the committee on this matter. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)LONDON – A Scottish parliamentary investigation concluded in a split decision Tuesday that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon misled lawmakers about sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor. … But I am clear in my mind that I acted appropriately and that I made the right judgements overall," Sturgeon told lawmakers.

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2020, file photo, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks during a 'Scotland's European Future after Brexit' event at the European Policy Center in Brussels. Sturgeon did not mislead lawmakers or act improperly over sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor, a senior lawyer said Monday, March 22, 2021 in his report into a scandal that is roiling Scottish politics. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool, File)LONDON – Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon didn't mislead lawmakers or act improperly over sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor, a senior lawyer said Monday in his report into a scandal that has roiled Scottish politics. Hamilton’s probe centers on the Scottish government’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against Alex Salmond, who served as Scotland’s first minister before Sturgeon took office in 2014. The political and personal feud has pitted Sturgeon against her former friend and mentor Salmond, and is wracking Scotland’s governing Scottish National Party.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks at the Holyrood Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland, Thursday March 18, 2021. Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has dismissed suggestions that she misled lawmakers, saying she stands by testimony she gave to the Scottish parliament committee investigating her governments handling of sexual harassment allegations against her predecessor Alex Salmond. (Andy Buchanan/PA via AP)LONDON – Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has dismissed suggestions that she misled lawmakers, saying opposition members of a legislative panel had made up their minds before they heard her evidence. If Sturgeon is found to have misled parliament, she could be forced to resign for breaking the rules governing the conduct of government ministers. In his testimony to the committee, Salmond criticized the government of his one-time friend for undermining democratic principles and the rule of law.

First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon takes the oath before giving evidence to the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints, at Holyrood in Edinburgh, Scotland, Wednesday March 3, 2021. The inquiry is investigating the governments handling of sexual harassment allegations against former leader Alex Salmond, and allegations that Sturgeon misled parliament. Its antagonists are Salmond and Sturgeon, two former allies and friends who have dominated Scottish politics for decades. AdHe accuses Sturgeon of lying about when she learned of the allegations and breaking the code of conduct for government ministers. "I’ve learned things about Alex Salmond over the past few years that have made me rethink," she said.

Johnson is facing accusations that he is not abiding by lockdown rules as he makes a trip to Scotland on Thursday to laud the rapid rollout of coronavirus vaccines across the United Kingdom. (Jeff Mitchell/Pool Photo via AP)LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced accusations Thursday that he is not abiding by the country's lockdown rules as he visited Scotland to laud the rapid rollout of coronavirus vaccines across the United Kingdom. “I’m here in my capacity as prime minister of the whole country to thank hard-working officials and public servants across the whole of Britain who are doing fantastic work," he said. Police Scotland confirmed they had received a “small number” of complaints about the prime ministerial visit. ___Follow AP’s coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines and understanding the outbreak:https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemichttps://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccinehttps://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak___Follow all AP stories about Brexit and British politics at https://apnews.com/Brexit

A person walks with an umbrella in light rain in the City of London financial district in London, Jan. 5, 2021, on the first morning of England entering a third national lockdown since the coronavirus outbreak began. Mexico City’s hospitals hold more virus patients than ever. Even pandemic success story Thailand is fighting an unexpected wave of infections. Mexico’s capital has more virus patients than at any point in the pandemic and is flying in doctors from less hard-hit states. The pandemic is even reaching countries that seemed to have the virus under control.

“It’s not hyperbole to say that the (National Health Service) is going through probably the toughest time in living memory,″ said Siva Anandaciva, chief analyst of the King’s Fund, a U.K. think tank that focuses on health and social care. Johnson and Sturgeon said the restrictions were needed to protect the hard-pressed National Health Service as a new, more contagious variant of coronavirus sweeps across Britain. On Monday, hospitals in England were treating 26,626 COVID-19 patients, 40% more than during the first peak in mid-April. In December, a record 2,930 people were forced to wait 12 hours or more before hospitals could find beds for them, the Health Service Journal reported Monday, citing leaked figures from the National Health Service. In addition to a nationwide network of hospitals, doctors and nurses, it can rely on other allied health care professionals, such as pharmacists, to deliver the vaccine.

People were told to work from home unless it's impossible to do so, and leave home only for essential trips. All nonessential shops and personal care services like hairdressers will be closed, and restaurants can only operate takeout services. As of Monday, there were 26,626 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in England, an increase of more than 30% from a week ago. Authorities have recorded more than 50,000 new infections daily since passing that milestone for the first time on Dec. 29. London and large areas of southeast England were put under the highest level of restrictions in mid-December, and more regions soon joined them.

(AP Photo/Andy Wong)BEIJING — China has designated parts of Hebei province near Beijing as a coronavirus high danger zone after 14 new cases of COVID-19 were found. The other three COVID-19 cases were in the city of Yantai. Approximately 174 private clinics have also requested vaccines, State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said. County health officials fear the incoming Christmas and New Year’s surge. Superintendent Henderson Lewis said a spike in positive cases in the city prompted the “unfortunate but necessary” decision to go back to distance learning.

A lorry arrives to board the first ferry heading to Britain after Brexit, Friday Jan.1, 2021 in Calais, northern France. A new U.K.-EU trade deal will bring restrictions and red tape, but for British Brexit supporters, it means reclaiming national independence from the EU and its web of rules. In the subdued streets of London — which voted strongly to remain in the EU in Britain's 2016 referendum — there was little enthusiasm for Brexit. Northern Ireland, which shares a border with EU member Ireland, remains closely tied to the bloc’s economy under the divorce terms. In Scotland, which voted strongly in 2016 to remain in the EU, Brexit has bolstered support for separation from the U.K.