Britain’s parliament has taken a significant step towards legalising assisted dying after a bill passed its first hurdle in the House of Commons on Friday. In a passionate debate, 330 lawmakers voted in favour of the "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)" bill, while 275 voted against it.
The bill, which aims to allow terminally ill adults to seek assistance to end their lives, will now undergo several months of further debate. The legislation will be reviewed in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, where it could be amended before it is potentially passed into law. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who introduced the bill, has stated that she anticipates the process could take up to six months.
The vote has reignited a longstanding and emotive debate over the issue of assisted dying, which has sharply divided public opinion in the UK. Supporters of the bill argue that it offers compassionate choice to those suffering from incurable illnesses, while opponents raise concerns about the implications for palliative care and the potential for abuse.
As the bill progresses, it is expected to spark further discussions on the standards of care for the terminally ill, with some critics warning that improving palliative care should take precedence over introducing assisted dying legislation.
The outcome of this vote marks the beginning of a crucial period in which lawmakers will carefully scrutinise the bill and its provisions, as the nation grapples with a complex and highly sensitive issue.
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Iran and the U.S. are set for a third round of indirect talks in Muscat, focusing on sanctions relief and guarantees over Iran’s nuclear program.
Donald Trump said talks between his envoy and Vladimir Putin made major progress toward ending the Ukraine war, urging Kyiv and Moscow to meet face-to-face.
Estonia has passed a €2.8 billion defense funding bill, raising military spending to over 5% of GDP amid growing security concerns over Russia.
George Santos, a former U.S. congressman, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after being convicted of fraud and identity theft.
The DRC and Rwanda have pledged to draft a peace deal by May 2 and stop backing armed groups, as part of new efforts to end conflict in eastern Congo.
Iran and the U.S. are set for a third round of indirect talks in Muscat, focusing on sanctions relief and guarantees over Iran’s nuclear program.
Donald Trump said talks between his envoy and Vladimir Putin made major progress toward ending the Ukraine war, urging Kyiv and Moscow to meet face-to-face.
Estonia has passed a €2.8 billion defense funding bill, raising military spending to over 5% of GDP amid growing security concerns over Russia.
George Santos, a former U.S. congressman, has been sentenced to over seven years in prison after being convicted of fraud and identity theft.
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