UK lawmakers approve bid to legalize gay marriage in Northern Ireland.
LONDON — Britain's parliament voted on Tuesday in favor of a plan that would compel the government to legalize same-sex marriage and extend abortion rights in Northern Ireland, if the province is unable to re-establish its own devolved government.
The changes passed with a large majority in parliament in London on Tuesday and turned a routine, technical piece of legislation into a vehicle that could enact major social reforms in Northern Ireland. The province is the only part of the United Kingdom where same-sex marriage is not allowed, and laws there forbid abortion except where a mother's life is at risk.
To the south, once staunchly conservative Ireland legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 and liberalized its abortion laws in a separate referendum last year.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Teen odds of using marijuana dip when states legalize recreational useThe new results echo a study showing a decline in teen use after sales of recreational pot began in 2014 in Washington state.
Read more »
Trump in Tweets Criticizes Departing U.K. Prime Minister Theresa MayPresident Trump took a swipe at departing U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May over her handling of Brexit, while declaring the U.S. would “no longer deal with” the British ambassador, who was critical of Mr. Trump.
Read more »
Trump takes parting Brexit shot at Theresa May, says he won't 'deal' with U.K. ambassadorThe president also sharply criticized the U.K.&39;s ambassador, who described him as "inept."
Read more »
Trump Is ‘Dysfunctional’ and ‘Inept,’ U.K. Ambassador Says in Leaked CablesIn leaked cables, the U.K. ambassador to the U.S. says that the Trump administration is “dysfunctional,” “unpredictable,” and not “normal”
Read more »
U.K.'s top diplomat in U.S. blasts Trump in leaked memosBritain's ambassador to the US views President Trump as 'inept,' 'insecure' and 'incompetent,' according to leaked diplomatic cables; foreign office says 'a formal leak investigation will now be initiated.'
Read more »
U.K. scrambles to make nice after top diplomat blasts TrumpThe British government said the revelation was a matter of regret. “We believe the leak is unacceptable,” Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said Monday.
Read more »