MPs on both sides urge Commons not to take ‘extraordinary risk’ of forcing through assisted dying bill

• President Xi Jinping began a series of diplomatic meetings throughout September to redefine China's future role and influence in the world. • Xi met with leaders including Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi in Bishkek to demonstrate China's ability to manage both geopolitical partners and rivals.

• The United Nations trained nearly 200 community health officers in Rwanda to prepare the government for a potential Ebola outbreak. • Training focused on early detection, risk communication, and infection and prevention and control.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the multilateral system is straining under fractured geopolitics during his opening address at the 81st UN General Assembly. • Guterres cited a combination of nuclear escalation risks, worsening climate chaos, and declining financial resources for humanitarian operations.

Mike Rogers has also helped kill other bills that would have provided healthcare to responders and survivorsMike Rogers, a Michigan Republican US Senate candidate, has sought in recent weeks to create controversy over old tweets his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed posted about 9/11. He has for example, falsely suggested El-Sayed, who is Muslim, said the US deserved the attack.But, as critics have noted, Rogers has twice voted against healthcare and other benefits for 9/11 first responders and survivors, congressional records show. He has also helped kill other bills that would have provided benefits and healthcare to first responders nationwide. Rogers, a former member of Congress, is vying for Michigan’s open US Senate seat in a tight race that could decide control of Congress during the next session. Continue reading...

Hot weather means sweeter grapes, but outlook gloomier for beermakers, as drought diminishes barley harvestEnglish sparkling winemakers expect their earliest grape harvest and a “vintage year” after a scorching summer quickly ripened grapes.However, beer sellers have warned of a potential shortage after record-breaking temperatures and a drought hitting much of England has caused poor yields of barley. Continue reading...

We’d like to hear from people about the impact of extreme heat this summer – and if you’ve had your power cutIt’s been a record summer of heat in the US with rolling heat domes and July being the hottest month ever recorded in the country, surpassing temperatures stretching back 132 years of reliable measurements, to 1895. July’s temperatures surpassed previous high marks set in July 1936, in the teeth of dust bowl conditions, and in July 2012. We want to hear from people across the US on how they have coped with the heat – and what it has meant for utility bills. Has the heat affected you or your family physically? Have you had to change your daily routines?Have your bills soared with the cost of keeping your home cool? And we especially want to hear from people who have had their electricity cut off during the extreme heat or have had trouble keeping up with utility payments. Continue reading...

Interview will air on YouTube instead of late-night talkshow after FCC ‘threatened’ show and ABCLate-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel has saidan upcoming interview with the Democratic Senate candidate from Texas James Talarico will not air on ABC, the US network that broadcasts his show, after the federal media regulator “threatened” his show, ABC and its local affiliates.“Tomorrow night I’ll be interviewing James Talarico under unusual circumstances,” Kimmel said during his opening monologue on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Despite its location, the island chain has avoided the worst effects, but Hurricanes Lowell and Lala left a trail of damage this yearHurricane Lowell surged near the Hawaiian Islands this week, leaving a trail of downed trees and power lines, crumbled roads, sunken boats and destroyed piers on the island of Kauai.Residents were left to grapple not only with the damage, but the rising risks to the tropical archipelago as sea surface temperatures climb. Continue reading...

While England makes its first foray into unfamiliar territory, it’s proved a boon for Italy’s cash-strapped municipalities A nightly tourist tax may be unfamiliar territory in the UK, but countries in continental Europe have been cashing in on these kinds of levies for decades.Tourists usually need to pay the tax on the day they check-out of a hotel or holiday let, and are often surprised by an extra fee on top of their accommodation costs. Continue reading...

Arrests of woman, 42, and man, 60, after Met search addresses in north and north-west LondonA man and a woman have been arrested by counter-terrorism police in London on suspicion of assisting Iran’s foreign intelligence service.The arrests of the 42-year-old woman and 60-year-old man were made after searches at addresses in north and north-west London on 24 June, the Metropolitan police said. Continue reading...

High commissioner to India replaces Olly Robbins, who was sacked over Peter Mandelson scandalThe Foreign Office has its first ever female head after the appointment of Lindy Cameron, the high commissioner to India.Cameron’s new role as permanent undersecretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office means she will replace Olly Robbins, who was sacked over the Peter Mandelson scandal. Continue reading...