The UK is going to the polls; would you let a robot care for Grandma? and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments. 

The UK will head to the polls on December 12 after MPs supported prime minister Boris Johnson’s fourth bid for an early election. With a margin of 438-20, the House of Commons voted through legislation for the pre-Christmas vote — the first December poll since 1923. The prime minister, who readmitted 10 of the 21 MPs he expelled last month for challenging his Brexit plan, hopes the election will help break the Parliamentary deadlock on Brexit. Currently, the UK is set to leave the EU on January 31. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Also... Special-edition 50p coins minted to commemorate Brexit on October 31 will be melted down, the Treasury has announced, with the metal to be kept aside until a new Brexit departure date is confirmed.

Marks & Spencer has launched a ‘buy now, pay later’ service in a bid to woo shoppers. The retailer has teamed up with Australian payments firm Clearpay to offer the service, which will apply to all online clothing and home purchases over ￡30. The move brings M&S in-line with more than 4,000 retailers, including Asos, JD Sports and Boohoo, which already offer delayed payment services. But this form of credit has been criticised by Next chief Simon Wolfson who warns of the “difference between spreading the cost and just deferring it”. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Boeing chief Dennis Muilenburg has sought to allay concerns about the 737 MAX jets grounded since a second fatal crash in March. Facing his first congressional hearing over a flawed flight-control system, Muilenburg, who began with an apology to the families of the 346 crash victims, said that he had been aware of red flags raised internally around the so-called MCAS system before the second crash, and described ongoing efforts to address them and return the jets to service. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Almost two thirds of workers wouldn’t discuss fertility issues with their employers, according to new research. Less than half of workers with fertility struggles feel supported at work, with many claiming they hadn't discussed their issues with their employer for fear it would hamper their career prospects, the research by LinkedIn and charity Fertility Network UK found. Gwenda Burns, the charity's CEO, said it is "vital" that the stigma of discussing fertility struggles is removed. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Would you let a robot care for Grandma? The UK government has launched a ￡34m scheme to design “care robots” which would be deployed to assist the elderly. The research is designed to help robots develop “empathy” and make human-like decisions, such as helping people up after a fall, making sure medication is taken, and delivering meals. The program is one answer to alleviating strain on the adult social care sector caused by the UK’s ageing population. One in seven people are expected to be over 75 years old by 2040. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: A good debate can help surface the best decision, says Brian Tyler, CEO at McKesson.

“Once you start regularly engaging in respectful debate, it becomes a very normal part of how thoughtful decisions are made. And the value of diverse perspectives becomes powerful and clear.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Natalie MacDonald and Emily Spaven