A new First Minister for Scotland. John Swinney is elected to the role and pledges to reunite the SNP and reach across the political divide.

Tue 07 May, 6.00 pm

A new exhibition about the Japanese Kimono and it's influence on art, fashion and film has opened to the public at the V&amp;A museum. 



The collection is the last stop on the international tour of Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk.



Almost three hundred objects have been collected to tell the story of one of Japan's most recognisable garments.



Felicity Clifford reports

Felicity Clifford

A new exhibtion looks at the history of the iconic kimono.

Kyoto to Catwalk exhibiton explores Japanese dress at the V&A museum

John Swinney looks on course to become the next leader of the SNP and First Minister.



He promised he would not be taking the position on an interim basis as he launched his campaign this morning.



Hours later Kate Forbes issued a statement saying she will not run against him.

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

John Swinney was previously elected SNP leader almost 24 years ago

Swinney on course to be new FM as Forbes will not run

Nine years ago tomorrow Sheku Bayoh died after being restrained by police officers in Kirkcaldy.



Today, at the public inquiry into his death, the man who was Scotland's most senior law officer at the time said it was "obvious" from the start that issues around race could be a factor.



In his evidence, former Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland also said he'd told his successor it was important to maintain personal contact with Mr Bayoh's family.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

Mr Bayoh died on May 3, 2015 after he was restrained by police officers

Race ‘obvious’ factor in death of Sheku Bayoh says former Lord Advocate

Veterans at a social enterprise company in Erskine are being rewarded for their efforts, with a King’s Award for Enterprise.



The 21 workers at Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company make road and rail signs.

Fraser Nicoll

Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company specialises in the production of signs

Veteran’s social enterprise company receives King’s Award

A major renovation of Edinburgh's King's Theatre is well under way - almost one thousand tonnes of rubble has been excavated from the site, in what is the biggest project at the venue in recent years.



There's also a plea for those who may have old stories of the building to come forward with their cherished memories.

Reporter

Vanessa Kennedy

Once complete, it will feature new accessible lifts and stairwells as well as a new bar

Good progress in King’s Theatre redevelopment

It's a celebration of the diverse voices that shape Aberdeen.



The Rise Up festival kicks off in the Granite City this week, with three days of art and music performed by black and people of colour.

Kirstin Tait

Artists taking part want to shine a light on creatives in the North East

Aberdeen’s Rise Up festival begins in the city this evening

A campaign teaching young women about healthy relationships has launched across Scotland.



Brave Lassies Blether is part of a Tayside-wide initiative following an increase in calls to the children's charity NSPCC about intimacy, and consent from young people.



The groups have been working with The Young Women's Movement and the NSPCC to create an educational toolkit.

The charities hope they'll be able to tackle the issue and create a safer Scotland.

Campaign launches to teach young women about relationships

The former deputy first minister John Swinney says he is weighing up whether running for the leadership of the SNP would be the right thing for his family, his party and the country.



Swinney is being tipped as a potential successor to Humza Yousaf who announced his resignation yesterday.



The former finance secretary Kate Forbes also says she is considering her options.

A Labour no confidence motion in the Scottish Government is due to go ahead tomorrow

Forbes and Swinney frontrunners to be next First Minister

STV News understands new guidelines around the use of smartphones in Scotland's schools could be announced in the coming weeks - but it's likely to stop short of pupils being asked to hand them in every morning.



The UK government has already urged headteachers in England to move towards a ban on mobiles amid concerns over safety and disruption to lessons.

The rules on when they can be used differ between schools.

New guidelines for pupils using mobile phones could be announced

MSPs have voted to pass the first stage of a bill that would see the creation of buffer zones around clinics where abortions are carried out.



The legislation, brought forward by Green MSP Gillian Mackay would prevent anti-abortion protesters from gathering within 200 metres of hospitals and other facilities.



However, it faces strong opposition from those who say they are not protesting but holding vigil.

A total of 123 MSPs backed the bill at Stage one.

Abortion buffer zones bill passes first stage at Holyrood

One of Argyll and Bute's key attractions has reopened its doors to visitors following a period of redevelopment.



The Kilmartin Museum showcases the area's rich archaeological heritage, bringing to life more than 12,000 years of history through stories and artefacts.

Caitlin Hutchison

The museum showcases the area's rich archaeological heritage

Kilmartin Museum reopens after redevelopment

A project in Leith helping to prevent young people getting involved in crime has contributed to a 25% reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area.



Friday Night Lights was launched a year ago following a rise in criminal activity amongst youngsters there.



It is aimed at pre-teens to deter them being targeted by gangs, after the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland increased to 12 years old.

Amie Flett

During the sessions young people play different sports and build communication skills 

Leith social project helping reduce anti-social behaviour 25%

Highland Council has unveiled plans to invest £2bn in schools and roads over the next twenty years.



The local authority says it aims to fund the improvements by raising council tax - meaning higher bills.



But the its also pledging to generate extra income.

Iain Ramage

Council chiefs spelt out their vision at a news conference in Inverness.

Highland Council unveil £2 billion investment plans

An exhibition celebrating award-winning North East artists has opened in Aberdeen Art gallery.



'The Gordon Contemporaries' showcases new work by 18 artists who have all previously won a prestigious award at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Anne Smith

Gordon Contemporaries is on at Aberdeen Art gallery until November

Exhibition celebrating North East artists opens in Aberdeen

The fire service says urgent action is needed as it revealed some of its stations are no longer fit for purpose.



The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have launched a review which looks at the location of fire stations and the wider issues around the future of the service.



But the Fire Brigade Union warn the review should not be a smokescreen for cuts.

Steven Brown

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says almost half its 356 stations are either in poor or bad condition.

Action needed as station not fit for service, say fire brigade

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government said it was scrapping it's annual and 2030 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.



Instead, it outlined a range of features for farming and land owners to improve Scotland's environment and reduce its carbon output.



But some of the plans have been met with frustration. by farmers who feel like the industry is coming under attack.

Haley Bouma

The government says agriculture plays an important role in reducing the greenhouse gases.

Farmers frustrated over new Scottish Government plans

Humza Yousaf has resigned as Scotland's First Minister.



After more than a year in the role, his demise came as he faced a vote of no confidence after terminating the power sharing agreement his party had with the Greens.



As the search begins for a successor there are calls for a Scottish election. In the meantime Yousaf will remain in the hot seat - in charge of a minority government.

The withdrawal of support from the Greens left Yousaf with few options.

Humza Yousaf resigns as Scotland’s First Minister

Humza Yousaf's time in the top job has been difficult from the start. 



The leadership contest was brutal, with fellow candidate Kate Forbes delivering the damning line that when Yousaf was justice secretary the police were stretched to breaking point and as health secretary, Scotland had the longest NHS waiting lists.



She questioned whether things would be any better with him as First Minister.



The reality was it didn't get any better.



His poll ratings are poor and there were 12 council by-elections during his tenure, which the SNP didn't win one.



And there was the terrible result in the Rutherglen by-election, which saw Labour achieve their biggest ever swing against the SNP.

Vanessa Taaffe

Yousaf inherited a bad hand and things appeared to go from bad to worse while he was FM. 

Humza Yousaf: Look back at First Minister’s time in office

Humza Yousaf's decision to resign as First Minister took some members of the public by surprise.



The FM stood down after holding a press conference at Bute House on Monday. 



So was he right to stay or go? Can the SNP ship be steadied or should the people of Scotland decide the next First Minister?

Political Reporter

Laura Alderman

STV News has been getting reaction to Monday's dramatic developments.

Voters react to the resignation of Humza Yousaf

While the First Minister is fighting a vote of no-confidence in his leadership, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has gone a step further and says he will lodge a motion of no-confidence in the Scottish Government.



Speaking on a visit to a windfarm in East Lothian, he said it's not enough to simply remove the First Minister - he wants a Holyrood election.



It comes as Lorna Slater insisted she will not step down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens after being sacked from government.

The Scottish Labour leader said it is simply not enough to remove Yousaf as First Minister. 

Sarwar submits no-confidence motion in Scottish Government

One of Scotland's most historic cities has launched a year-long celebration to mark its 900th birthday.



Stirling is holding a series of events including concerts and exhibitions.



Local schools and artists have worked together to ensure the major moments of Stirling’s rich history are remembered.

Laura Piper

All of the city's memorable moments will be celebrated over the next 12 months.

Stirling launches year-long 900th birthday celebrations

More than a million tonnes of sand and an initial £10m will be needed to save Montrose from coastal erosion which is accelerating.



But there's a warning work to permanently restore the sand dunes may not begin until spring next year, with a price tag which could run into the tens of millions.

Saul Sievwright

This mammoth project comes with a significant price tag.

Millions of tonnes of sand needed to stop Montrose coastal erosion

Colleagues and friends of murdered Aberdeen scientist Brenda Page have remembered an "inspirational colleague" while unveiling a memorial to her.



Her former husband, 82-year-old Christopher Harrison, was found guilty of her murder last year.

Brenda was found dead in her home in Aberdeen's Allan Street in 1978.

Memorial unveiled for murdered scientist Brenda Page

A report into plans to pedestrianise part of Academy Street in Inverness has found the proposals are poor value for money.



It says there could be a wider economic boost of up to £4m, but may result in heavier traffic elsewhere.

Nicola McAlley

Highland Council says the report is based on the worst-case scenario.

Inverness pedestrianisation plans ‘poor value for money’

Humza Yousaf ended the SNP's power sharing deal with the Scottish Greens on Thursday morning, ending the Bute House Agreement with immediate effect.



An emergency Cabinet meeting followed, before confirmation the SNP was returning to leading a minority government.



The Greens have reacted furiously, accusing Yousaf of political cowardice.



Meanwhile the Conservatives lodged a motion of no confidence in the First Minister - a vote that Humza Yousaf could struggle to survive.

The move has triggered a vote of no confidence in Humza Yousaf

FM ends Bute House Agreement, kicking Greens out of government

There's been a lot of reaction to Thursday's political developments but MSPs of all parties will be looking at how this plays out with voters.



It was the desire to create a pro-independence majority in the Scottish Parliament that brought the Greens and SNP together, but in the past few weeks backtracking on crucial policies like climate targets has led to the relationship breaking down.

Climate campaigners worry key green commitments will now be watered down.


Voters react to end of SNP-Green power sharing deal

There are calls for Scottish Government funded childcare places to be extended to youngsters under three.



The Joseph Rowntree Foundation say crippling costs and a lack of affordable options are significant barriers to working parents and families trying to lift themselves out of poverty.

Sharon Frew

Currently around 30 hours a week are funded for three and four-year-olds

Call for funded childcare places to be extended to under three’s

He sailed a paper boat down the Clyde, and built a train from straw - this weekend, a gallery to immortalise the works of prolific Scottish artist George Wyllie will open in Greenock.



A selection of his sketches and lesser known works will be on display this spring at the Wyllieum.

Vidushi Tiwari

The Wyllieum is an ode to the 'social sculptor' - who used humour to criticise social injustice.

New gallery opens celebrating Scottish artist George Wyllie

A Fife charity that supports people who are blind and have sight loss say their services are under threat, due to a lack of volunteers.



Seescape helps more than 3,000 people who struggle with loneliness and isolation due to their condition.

Seescape support more than 3,000 people with who are blind or partially sighted



Sight loss charity call for more volunteers to avert closure

An incinerator which processes waste that can’t be recycled has officially opened in Aberdeen.



Council bosses say the NESS Project puts the north east ahead of the curve, before a ban on bio-degradable waste in landfills comes into force.

Waste from Aberdeenshire and Moray will also be transported to the facility

New non-recyclable waste incinerator opens in Aberdeen

The National Officer for the Royal College of Midwives has told the Scottish Covid Inquiry that the profession still hasn't recovered since the pandemic.



As part of her evidence Emma Currer also said 75% of midwives are considering leaving the NHS because of the impact the pandemic has had on them.



The inquiry heard midwives were at "breaking point" and that there was a sense of "extreme burnout" amongst midwives due to mounting pressures.

More unions representing health and social care workers will give evidence later this week

75% of midwives considering leaving due to pandemic, hears inquiry

A mother whose 12-year-old daughter died after an asthma attack believes more awareness is urgently needed for others to understand the severity of the condition.



A leading charity is calling for annual checks for patients, with more education on preventative help.

Tracy Bulpitt has been sharing her family's experience amid a warning that asthma care is in crisis

Mum calls for greater awareness after daughter’s asthma death

One half of a bridge which connecting Renfrew to Yoker and Clydebank has arrived at its final destination on the Clyde.



The 600ft swing bridge will open for passing ships but its installation could come at the cost of one of the area's oldest businesses - the Yoker-Renfrew ferry.

Brandon Cook

The bridge was built in Holland and slowly crossed the North Sea headed for Scotland last week

First Renfrew-Yoker bridge section arrives on the Clyde

North Berwick beach has become one of the first Scottish seaside towns to secure two motorised wheelchairs after being inspired by the friendship of two women from Edinburgh.



Beach Wheelchairs provides free beach-friendly chairs to those with limited mobility across East Lothian, but those behind the charity want to widen its inclusivity.

The project was inspired by the friendship of two Edinburgh women.

North Berwick beach becomes first to have beach wheelchairs

A daredevil great-granny is back in the Highlands after completing her latest charity challenge - a wingwalk on top of a plane in full flight.



Norma Russell, 74, has raised thousands of pounds for the Highland Hospice over the years and says the "nerve-wracking" events keep her young.

Norma Russell travelled to the south of England to take to the skies.


Daredevil great-granny back home after charity wingwalk

An Aberdeenshire gym will be the first of its kind after staff were specifically trained to support clients with the menopause.



A personal trainer at Énergie Fitness in Inverurie inspired the change, sharing her own experiences to raise awareness.

Gráinne Ní Ghréacháin

Fitness instructors can now identify the needs of clients with the menopause.

Aberdeenshire gym first with specially trained menopause staff

The Scottish Government has announced plans to create a new strategy to help those living in Scotland's island communities - but denied the current plan wasn't fit for purpose.



Deputy first minister Shona Robison was in Stornoway visiting a new deep water port - and says a new plan will be published next year.

Oliver Wright

Islanders say they face struggles in childcare, transport and affordable housing.

Scottish Government unveils new islands community strategy

Scotland is facing a "very dangerous moment" as it tries to set up a new plan to tackle the climate crisis.



That's the warning from the chief executive of the advisory Climate Change Committee just days after a key target was scrapped by the Scottish Government.



Chris Stark said the next 12 months would be a crucial test of how serious the Scottish Government is on its climate credentials.

The focus now is on the detail - the delayed plan the Scottish Government has failed to provide

Scotland facing ‘dangerous’ time with new climate plans

Health and social care workers were "left to rot" during and after Covid.



The public inquiry into the pandemic has heard that the social care sector was under prepared.



The head of the Scottish TUC, Roz Foyer, said care was already in crisis before the pandemic struck.



Under-staffed and under-resourced, she said it had been a perfect storm. The trade union leader said many lessons had not been learned.



The efforts of the people in the sector, she said, needed to be "honoured and recognised".

Unions representing health and social care workers will give evidence later this week.


Health and social care workers ‘left to rot’, hears Covid inquiry

Police investigating the murder of a retired groundsman, shot while walking his dog on the outskirts of a Perthshire town, have admitted, two months on, they have no suspect or motive for the killing.



The detective leading the investigation into Brian Low's death says she is confident they will solve the case - and that the answer lies in the local community.

Susan Nicholson

It was initially thought Brian Low had died of natural causes.

No suspect or motive for Perthshire shooting, admit police

The vision is to build a new world class specialist centre to transform cancer services across the Lothians and beyond.



It's a bold ambition for Edinburgh's Western General hospital that comes with a £1bn price tag and plans are now on hold due to a Scottish Government spending freeze.



On the existing site, the health board say it's modernising where it can and has refurbished two units to cope with an increasing number of patients.



A leading cancer charity fears without major investment, the current set-up will struggle to meet future needs.

NHS Lothian say demand for cancer services has significantly outgrown existing facilities

Cancer centre plans in limbo after government spending freeze

A rail line is set to remain closed for another week after a massive sink hole appeared underneath the tracks.



Engineers initially detected the one-metre deep fault between Caldercruix and Drumgelloch in Lanarkshire on Sunday.

The sinkhole has expanded with repairs being described as “potentially complex”

Sinkhole knocks out North Lanarkshire train services

City leaders say Edinburgh's most famous shopping street could be on its way to economic recovery.



But there's a warning it has to balance building retail, hospitality and entertainment venues.



Over recent years, Princes Street has been severely impacted economically, but the opening of a major new retailer has restored faith that it does have a future.

UNIQLO chose this location to open its first ever store in Scotland 

Princes Street revival hopes as major retailer to open

An Easter Ross group that has helped almost 50,000 vulnerable people with odd jobs around the home is marking its 30th anniversary.



ILM Highland also sells refurbished electrical goods and says the cost of living crisis means services are in demand.

Over the years ILM said it has collected 32,000 tonnes of electrical waste.

Highland refurbishment and odd jobs group celebrating 30 years

It's one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is taking the North East by storm.



More people are joining the roller derby craze, and an Aberdeen based club is going from strength to strength.



With a recent win against Glasgow’s Maiden Girders, Granite City Roller Derby are looking for more people to join in the action.

The club are set to host a fresh intake this May, teaching brand new skaters the basics.

Aberdeen roller derby club calling for more to try the skates

A group of mothers have joined forces to help transform lives in their local community in Dundee.



The ‘Wee Night In’ offers parents a support network as well as the chance to learn new skills.

Abigail Taylor

It's bringing people together, boosting confidence and helping form friendships

Group of mothers join together to set up community evenings

The Scottish Government was leading the world in tackling the climate crisis, but it has scrapped its flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 after accepting that it is now "out of reach".



The move has been branded the worst environmental decision in Holyrood's history - and climate campaigners say the announcement is "bitterly disappointing".



But the Scottish Government insists the target to reach net zero by 2045 - five years earlier than the UK - remains.

Even though the targets are legally binding, they have been missed for eight out of twelve years.

Scottish Government scraps headline climate targets

The prescription of puberty blockers has been paused for new patients in Scotland.



The decision follows a major review into gender care that found the medicine was built on shaky foundations.



However opposition parties say the decision should have been taken weeks ago.

Equality campaigners claim the move will harm trans young people.

Puberty blocker perceptions paused for new patients

This report contains images which some viewers may find upsetting.



Glasgow's cleansing workers say its time for the council to declare a "rat emergency" and that the city's over-run by rodents.



They insist chronic understaffing is making the job impossible and fuelling a rat pandemic.

Glasgow City Council say staff absence continues to be a problem, but worker safety is a priority.

Time to declare ‘rat emergency’ say Glasgow cleansing workers

Daffodil growers are enjoying record sales following this winter's cold weather.



Grampian Growers, who represent farmers, say more than 8 million bunches have been sold, the highest amount in the co-operative's 55 year history.

An early season in England also saw high demand for the Scottish flowers.

Scottish daffodil growers see record sales following cold weather

Record demand for the use of an oxygen chamber to treat MS and a host of other illnesses has left an Inverness charity struggling to keep up.



A rise in illnesses post-Covid has added to the financial pressure.

The centre catered for 6,500 appointments last year.

Charity struggling to keep up with record oxygen chamber demands

Scotland's ferry policy is "manifestly dysfunctional" and must be overhauled, according to a transport expert.



But operator CMAL says the report "oversimplifies a highly complex matter".

Scotland's ferry network carried over 9 million passengers in 2022

New ferry policy ‘manifestly dysfunctional’ says transport expert

The mother of a schoolgirl murdered in 1996 says justice has been done but she will always feel the "void" left by her daughter's death.



Caroline Glachan's mum was speaking outside court after one of the teenager's killers was jailed for at least 17 years.



Donna Marie Brand is the third person to be sentenced for her part in what the judge described as a plan to inflict murderous violence.



Brand, acting with others, then left Caroline to drown in the River Leven in West Dunbartonshire.

Caroline Glachan was left to drown in the River Leven.

Third person jailed for 1996 murder of schoolgirl

How much exercise do you do? Well, a new study suggests as many as one in four of us in Scotland don't do any at all, with less than half regularly taking part in sport or physical activity.



The research, commissioned by a sport think-tank, also highlights widening health inequalities - with respondents from poorer backgrounds less likely to participate.

These findings will add to worries about the nation's health - and the impact on health services


One in four Scots don’t do any exercise, new research finds

Young Ukrainians living in Scotland have been working with professional actors and directors to help bring their stories to life, in a playwriting workshop in Edinburgh.



It's the first time the international programme for Ukrainians has been held in Scotland since the Russian invasion.

STV News has been along to speak to some of those involved.

Young Ukrainians take part in playwriting workshop

Immediate action must be taken to tackle water scarcity in Scotland, according to experts at Dundee University.



There's a warning the country is being left "vulnerable" due to climate change and increased water usage.



A new report is calling on people to change their behaviour to help the nation become more resilient.

Last June, SEPA issued warnings across every part of Scotland.


Water scarcity must be tackled with immediate action, says report

Just days after a key climate target was ditched, one of the world's biggest offshore floating windfarms is set to be built off the north east coast.



The Green Volt Project has received the green light and will see up to 35 turbines located off Peterhead.

STV News - Glasgow