News 17/03/26

The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK are urging Israel and Lebanon to begin negotiations on what they call a sustainable political solution.

In a joint statement they described the humanitarian situation in Lebanon as deeply alarming. They called on Hezbollah to disarm and stop attacks on Israel, condemning the group for joining Iran in hostilities, and urged immediate de-escalation to avoid a wider and longer conflict.

MSPs are due to vote later on whether to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in Scotland.

The proposed law has gone through lengthy debate with hundreds of amendments discussed during several long sessions in the Scottish Parliament. If approved, the bill would allow adults aged eighteen or over, with mental capacity and less than six months to live, to request medical assistance to end their life. The vote is expected late tonight.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she wants to stop leading British technology firms and scientists moving abroad to make money.

She told the BBC the government wants that pattern to end and confirmed investment of two point five billion pounds in quantum computing and artificial intelligence. She says closer links with the European Union and stronger regional economies will help growth, while Conservatives say ministers are trying to blame others for economic problems.

Temperatures in parts of the UK could reach close to twenty degrees later this week, bringing the warmest weather of the year so far.

After a colder spell with some wintry conditions in places, forecasters say more spring-like weather is returning. The change will come around the time of the spring equilux, when day and night are the same length, and most areas are expected to stay dry with spells of sunshine.