In the news. Belgian MPs due to vote on child euthanasia. 13 February 2014Last updated at 10:48 GMT Heavy sedation can be used to relieve acute pain, opponents of the bill argue Belgium's MPs are expected to vote on whether to extend a euthanasia law to terminally-ill children.
The bill seeks to allow children to ask for euthanasia if their illness is terminal, they are in great pain and there is no available treatment. The lower house is likely to back the bill, correspondents say. Belgium passes law extending euthanasia to children of all ages. Belgian lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to extend the country's euthanasia law to children under the age of 18.
The 86-44 vote in the House of Representatives, on Thursday, with 12 abstentions, followed approval by the senate in December. The law lifts Belgium's age restrictions on euthanasia and can sanction it where children have a terminal and incurable illness, are near death, and suffering "constant and unbearable physical" pain, and where parents and professionals agree to the choice. The law was opposed by some Belgian paediatricians and the country's leading Roman Catholic cleric. The law will come into effect when signed by Belgium's monarch, King Philippe, who is not expected to oppose the measure. The decision to proceed with each proposal of euthanasia will also have be agreed by a treating physician and an outsider brought in to give a second opinion. UKIP councillor blames storms and floods on gay marriage. 18 January 2014Last updated at 12:03 ET Councillor David Silvester from Henley-on-Thames had defected from the Tories to UKIP A UKIP councillor has blamed the recent storms and heavy floods across Britain on the Government's decision to legalise gay marriage.
David Silvester said the prime minister had acted "arrogantly against the Gospel".