UK

As of Monday, in the wake of Mr Yousaf's resignation from the SNP and Scotland, an ongoing inquiry is underway to identify a new leader. John Swinney has declared his intention to succeed Humza Yousaf as leader of the Scottish National Party and first minister of Scotland. The MSP for Perthshire North has been in the opposition for the past year, having resigned as deputy first minister in 2023, following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.

Kensington Palace has published an additional photograph of Princess Charlotte on her ninth birthday.  The palace captioned the social media post with the following: "Happy Ninth Birthday, Princess Charlotte! I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for all the kind messages received today.  The Princess of Wales was the photographer of the image.

A lightning strike struck a care facility in West Sussex during the night, and a university structure in Chichester sustained roof and power system damage. Following a night of intense lighting and precipitation that impacted other regions of England and Wales, the Met Office has issued a fresh weather advisory regarding thunderstorms that are expected to affect significant areas of the country.

Approximately 10,500 drivers may be entitled to £25,000 in compensation each under the most recent lawsuit, which alleges Uber obtained a license unlawfully from Transport for London in 2012.  London's black taxi drivers have filed a multimillion-pound lawsuit against Uber, reigniting a long-standing dispute regarding the operation of the ride-hailing application in the capital of the United Kingdom.

On Wednesday, 711 individuals were observed traversing the English Channel in small vessels, the most for a single day this year.  Home Office estimates place the total number of migrants arriving by small vessels for the year at 8,278 as of this moment.  This figure represents a 34% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year (6,192 individuals), and a 19% increase over the same period in 2022 (6,945 migrants).

It is believed that British defence officials are examining alternatives to bolster the country's capacity to defend vital national infrastructure—including government structures, power plants, and military installations—against the type of cruise and ballistic missile assaults by Russia that are wreaking havoc in Ukraine.

A fourteen-year-old boy was fatally wounded and four others were injured in east London due to an assault by a man brandishing a sword; two police officers received severe injuries.  Tuesday shortly before 7 a.m., the Metropolitan police were dispatched to Thurlow Gardens, near the Hainault underground station, "on reports of a vehicle being driven into a house." At that time, the man, 36, was reportedly apprehended.

Scotland's first minister, Hamza Yousaf, will remain in office until his successor is designated. It is the day following the sensational announcement by Humza Yousaf that he would resign as the first minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, having served for just over a year in the position. In the Scottish parliament, Mr. Yousaf was confronted with two motions of no confidence as a consequence of his choice to withdraw from the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.

Four individuals are hospitalized and a 14-year-old boy has lost his life in a stabbing attack in northeast London. At approximately 7:00 a.m., reports surfaced that a 36-year-old man was threatening members of the public while brandishing a sword. In response, the police were dispatched to the scene.

After Humza Yousaf's resignation, prominent individuals now support the former deputy of the party. Kate Forbes could, however, vie for the presidency once more. As a result of Humza Yousaf's resignation on Monday, the Scottish Conservatives assert that the SNP's next leader could be "crowned... without contest."

The King was queried about his emotional state during a visit to a cancer treatment facility in London accompanied by the monarch. The King stated that he is "significantly better" as he resumed public responsibilities for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer. During his visit to the Macmillan Cancer Centre in London, the King engaged in handshakes with patients who were afflicted with cancer.

Ash Regan, the only MSP for the Alba Party, is expected to demand that several of her opponents resign; this demand will be categorically denied. Humza Yousaf will not support an electoral alliance with Alex Salmond's party that would have required the SNP to cede control of certain Scottish seats. According to The Sunday Times, the Alba Party intended to elevate the accord to the "top line" of its discussions with Mr. Yousaf.