MSPs vote down assisted dying Bill at Holyrood Controversial legislation that would have made Scotland the first nation in the UK to back assisted dying has been defeated at Holyrood. MSPs voted by 57 to 69, with one abstention, against a Bill that would have allowed terminally ill Scots to seek help to end their
Meningitis: Cases rise to 20 as health officials deal with ‘explosive’ outbreak Five new cases of meningitis have been reported in Kent, taking the total number being investigated by health officials to 20 The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that, as of 5pm on Tuesday, some 20 cases of meningitis had been reported to
Charity calls for legislation to allow shared e-scooter schemes A charity is urging Scotland’s political parties to commit to passing legislation that would give people access to shared e-scooter schemes for the first time. Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK) said that while pilot schemes are running in England, north of the border people are missing out
Bank warns about ‘cruel’ friendship fraudsters targeting older people Older and vulnerable people are being targeted by online scammers in a “cruel” spate of friendship fraud, a bank is warning. TSB said criminals are preying on people’s loneliness and desire to seek a connection. People often just make one payment in such scams, but in
Starmer tells Zelensky ‘we can’t lose focus’ on Ukraine despite Iran crisis Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to benefit from the Iran war, the Prime Minister told Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to the UK. Sir Keir Starmer said Russia should not reap the rewards of higher global oil prices and benefit from the easing
Crowds in cities and towns across island of Ireland enjoy St Patrick’s Day Families and tourists thronged the streets in cities and towns across the island of Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, while reflecting on what it means to be Irish. Parades were held in Dublin, Belfast, and Cork, while in Jessie Buckley’s native Killarney
King to host first state visit by Muslim leader during Ramadan for a century The King is preparing to host the first incoming state visit by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in what is believed to be nearly 100 years. Charles is set to welcome the Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, first
Rachel Reeves sets out plan for UK to align with more rules set in Brussels The UK should follow more of the European Union’s rules to boost trade and cut prices, Rachel Reeves has claimed. The Chancellor warned the UK risked being “stranded” between rival trading blocs unless it sought a closer relationship with Brussels.
Meningitis outbreak: Students in university halls in Kent to be offered vaccine Students in university halls in Kent are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine, Wes Streeting has said, as officials work to stem the spread of infection in an “unprecedented” outbreak. The Health Secretary said most students would not already be vaccinated against
Meningitis B confirmed as strain behind outbreak that has left two dead Some cases of meningitis seen in Kent have been confirmed as meningitis B, health officials have said, as hundreds of people are being urged to get antibiotics to stem the spread of infection. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which is investigating the