Scotland’s First Minister calls for second independence referendum by 2021

Arlene Foster said she would step down as party leader in May and as first minister in June. The announcement comes after her party pushed to oust her over her Brexit management.

Seven years after Scots voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom, the question of independence is front and center once again.

As voters head to the polls for the Scottish Parliament elections, the issue of independence is not far from people's minds. The Scottish National Party (SNP) is hoping for a majority in the 129-seat devolved parliament, which could pave the way for a second referendum on Scottish independence. Back in 2014, Scots voted by a margin of 55 percent to stay in the UK, but since Brexit, polls have indicated a rise in support for going it alone.

The alpine country could become the first in Europe to outlaw synthetic pesticides. Swiss voters will also decide whether to limit subsidies to organic farmers who use fewer antibiotics and more locally produced feed.

Scotland fans are in a jubilant mood in Glasgow despite a 2-0 loss to the Czech Republic in the opening round of the Euro 2020, as most look forward to the upcoming England clash.

Foster stepping down has the potential to trigger a snap election. The province's power-sharing executive is at risk of falling apart.

Scotland fans celebrate their team's draw against a heavily favoured England in their second match of Euro 2020. "At the end of the day, Scotland is Scotland, England is England and Scotland are number one," says one fan.

Residents of Gibraltar are voting on whether to ease its abortion law in a referendum. Campaigning has been fierce in this normally closely-knit British enclave at the southernmost tip of Spain, which is home to some 32,000 people.

Orban said in a live video post that he would hold a vote on whether to push ahead with an anti-LGBTQ law that prompted the European Commission to launch legal action against Budapest.

The country's president says that the referendum will strengthen democracy. But critics are calling it a political stunt and think it won't get the turnout it needs to be binding.

Switzerland is due to hold a vote this month on the legalization of same-sex marriage. Conservative politicians had called for the referendum to "protect traditions."

This week, the governor of California decisively defeated a Republican campaign to remove him from office. Gavin Newsom easily survived the recall election, leaving dozens of challengers far behind. The victory sends a strong message that California voters are still behind Newsom and the traditional polices of the deeply Democratic state. We take a closer look at the recall mechanism.