Scotland's leader resigns after conflicts over climate change, gender identity weakened government

LONDON (AP) — Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, resigned on Monday, triggering a leadership contest as the governing Scottish National Party seeks to heal internal divisions and strengthen its position ahead of U.K.-wide parliamentary elections expected later this year. ...

Affluent Americans are driving US economy and likely delaying need for Fed rate cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Since retiring two years ago, Joan Harris has upped her travel game. Once or twice a year, she visits her two adult children in different states. She's planning multiple other trips, including to a science fiction convention in Scotland and a Disney cruise soon...

Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, resigns rather than face a no-confidence vote

Scotland's under-pressure leader insists he won't resign before crunch confidence vote next week

LONDON (AP) — Scotland's leader insisted Friday that he won't be resigning as he fights for his political survival amid the fallout of his decision to pull the plug on a three-year power-sharing agreement that has made his Scottish National Party a minority government. The pressure...

Scottish leader faces battle for survival after ending power-sharing deal over climate change clash

LONDON (AP) — Scotland's leader is facing a fight for his political survival after he ended a three-year power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Green Party following a clash over climate change policies. Thursday's decision by First Minister Humza Yousaf of the Scottish National...

Husband of former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon charged with embezzlement in party finance probe

LONDON (AP) — The husband of former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon was charged Thursday with embezzlement in a probe into the finances of Scotland’s pro-independence governing party, a shocking setback for the country's most powerful political couple. Police in Scotland said a...

Sweden's parliament passes a law to make it easier for young people to legally change their gender

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Swedish parliament passed a law Wednesday lowering the age required for people to legally change their gender from 18 to 16. Those under 18 still need approval from a guardian, a doctor and the National Board of Health and Welfare. No longer required...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of April 21-27

Celebrity birthdays for the week of April 21-27: April 21: Actor Elaine May is 92. Singer Iggy Pop is 77. Actor Patti LuPone is 75. Actor Tony Danza is 73. Actor James Morrison (“24”) is 70. Actor Andie MacDowell is 66. Singer Robert Smith of The Cure is 65. Guitarist Michael...

German parliament votes to make it easier for people to legally change their name and gender

BERLIN (AP) — German lawmakers on Friday approved legislation that will make it easier for transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to change their name and gender in official records. The “self-determination law,” one of several social reforms that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s...

Police say JK Rowling committed no crime with tweets slamming Scotland's new hate speech law

LONDON (AP) — J.K. Rowling did not break the law with tweets criticizing Scotland’s new hate speech law and referring to transgender women as men, the police said Tuesday. The “Harry Potter” author opposes the law, which came into force on Monday and makes it illegal to stir...