MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Solomon Islands lawmakers on Thursday chose former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele as the new prime minister of the South Pacific island nation that has grown closer to China in recent years.

By Kirsty Needham (Reuters) -Solomon Islands lawmakers selected Jeremiah Manele as their new prime minister on Thursday, elevating the former foreign minister who has pledged to continue the Pacific Island nation's international policy that drew it closer to China.

Haiti’s newly installed transitional council has chosen a little known former sports minister as the Caribbean country’s prime minister, as it tries to establish a stable new government amid stifling

Scotland's First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has resigned. He took over from Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), just over a year ago. The SNP and Scottish Greens led the Scotland's government together in a power-sharing deal which Mr Yousaf ended last week.

A motion of no confidence in Humza Yousaf has been withdrawn after he announced his decision to quit. The Scottish Tories will not push ahead with a vote as he is on the way out of office. Yousaf was facing defeat this week after the Scottish Greens decided to back the no confidence motion.