Going beyond the ordinary news headlines
Friday’s UK headlines are dominated by the upcoming vote in the House of Commons on assisted dying. The End of Life Bill would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to get medical assistance to end their own lives. MPs will have one final debate before the vote takes place this afternoon. If approved, it will go to the House of Lords for scrutiny, but if MPs do not support it, it will fail.
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a whip over the government’s plans to cut disability benefits. In a letter to the prime minister, Foxcroft said that cuts to personal independence payments and universal credit should “not be part of the solution” to the growing benefits bill.
UK, French and German foreign ministers will hold talks with their Iranian counterparts in Geneva today as part of efforts to ease the Israel-Iran conflict. Ahead of the meeting, David Lammy says “a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution”.
The UK’s ongoing heatwave is a hot topic today, with temperatures set to rise above 30C for a second day running. Heat alerts have been issued as the heat gripping the nation is set to last until Sunday.
IN FULL: WTX News Assisted Dying – Live
The UK Parliament is set to vote today on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, commonly known as the assisted dying bill. If passed, it would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with fewer than six months to live to apply for assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a multidisciplinary panel. The bill has undergone significant amendments, including replacing judicial oversight with a panel consisting of medical and legal professionals, and ensuring protections for vulnerable individuals. While public support is strong, some lawmakers express concern about protections for vulnerable people and the impact on the National Health Service.
If the bill passes the House of Commons, it will proceed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. If approved there, the legislation could become law by October, with a four-year implementation period. The decision is seen as a landmark moment in UK healthcare and ethics legislation.
IN FULL: WTX News coverage of Israel-Iran – Live updates
Iran and European diplomats have begun urgent nuclear talks in Geneva, as Israel ramps up airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites. Israeli missiles have reportedly hit dozens of targets, including the Arak reactor and Natanz enrichment site. The move comes after Iran was accused of nearing weapons-grade uranium levels—something Tehran denies.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is meeting counterparts from the UK, France, Germany and the EU. The diplomatic effort follows warnings from US President Trump that he will decide “within two weeks” whether to launch US strikes. Iran has refused to negotiate with the US while Israeli bombardments continue, despite what it says are repeated American requests for talks.
Talks in Geneva are seen as a last-ditch attempt to prevent a wider regional war. The UK’s David Lammy said there is a “window for diplomacy,” but warned Iran must prove it’s serious about nuclear compliance. The US may target Iran’s Fordow nuclear site if diplomacy fails, using bunker-buster bombs no other nation possesses.
The UN Security Council will meet again, amid calls for international restraint. But with casualties mounting and nuclear facilities under fire, the window for talks may be closing fast.
IN FULL: The UK heatwave set to hit 33C again – heat alerts issued
The UK is experiencing an early summer heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 32°C in central England for a second day, following Thursday’s hottest day of the year so far. An amber heat-health alert has been issued across England, warning of significant impacts on health and social care, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable. Regions including Suffolk and London have already met the criteria for a heatwave, with temperatures forecast to peak on Saturday around 34°C. Firefighters have responded to over 500 wildfires so far this year in England and Wales, a dramatic increase from last year. Scientists link the severity and frequency of these heat waves to human-induced climate change, which is making such events more likely and dangerous.
The heatwave is expected to continue through the weekend, with some thundery showers in northern Wales and north-west England on Saturday, followed by slightly cooler temperatures on Sunday. Authorities are urging the public to take precautions, especially around fire safety and looking out for vulnerable people. The NHS and emergency services are bracing for increased demand due to heat-related health issues. Experts warn that climate change will make these heatwaves hotter and more frequent, increasing risks to public health, transport, and the environment in the years ahead.
Dominating the front pages is the news that two homes connected to the prime minister in North London were set on fire yesterday – as was a car on the street of one of the houses on fire.
For a second day, there’s a lot of coverage of yesterday’s announcement from the prime minister regarding a planned crackdown on legal migration to the United Kingdom.
Friday’s newspaper front pages report on today’s assisted dying vote in the House of Commons. The vote will take place this afternoon after one more debate in the Commons. If passed, it will head to the House of Lords for scrutiny. Most of the papers are in support of the bill.
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