Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
The British Supreme Court rejected a bid by Scotland to hold an independence referendum next year. The high court ruled that the Scottish government could not hold a referendum without approval by the British government.
The United Kingdom’s Supreme Court ruled against Scottish nationalists when it rejected a bid by the Scottish government to hold an independence referendum next year, saying that it would need the approval of the British government to do so. The British government has previously said that such a referendum only be held once in a generation, citing the 2014 referendum in which the majority of Scots rejected the over three-century-old union with England.
“The Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence,” said UK Supreme Court President Robert Reed.
During the 2014 referendum, Scots voted 55 to 45 opposing independence. However, those in support of independence have argued that the decision by the UK to leave the European Union in 2016 changed the circumstances. Polls found that voters are split between whether or not they support independence and that a vote would be too close to call.
Following the ruling that was made on Wednesday, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that she was disappointed but would respect the high court’s decision.
“A law that doesn’t allow Scotland to choose our own future without Westminster consent exposes as myth any notion of the UK as a voluntary partnership and makes case for Indy,” said Sturgeon. “Scottish democracy will not be denied. Today’s ruling blocks one route to Scotland’s voice being heard on independence – but in a democracy, our voice cannot and will not be silenced.”
Sturgeon also said that the next national election would also be an effective referendum on Scottish independence.
“We must and will find another democratic, lawful, and constitutional means by which the Scottish people can express their will,” Sturgeon told reporters on the same day.
Sturgeon said that in the next national election, which will take place in 2024, the pro-independence Scottish Nationalist Party will be seeking to shore support from the majority on Scotland’s independence.
