AID IN DYING ALIVE: Dozens of advocates who’ve spent years in the Capitol’s hallways pushing for terminally ill New Yorkers to legally end their own lives with a physician’s aid are finally seeing hope.

The Scottish Parliament has given its initial backing to legislation to legalise assisted dying. A bill tabled by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur passed its first parliamentary vote by 70 to 56, with one abstention. But there is still a way to go if it is to become law, and that is not a guaranteed outcome.

Almost six months after MPs backed the principle of assisted dying, the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill – sponsored by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater – is set to return to the House of Commons chamber on May 16 to undergo further debate.