Latest Legislation News

Canadian mining company starts arbitration in case of closed copper mine in Panama

Dec. 01, 2023 18:17 PM EST

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Canada’s First Quantum Minerals Ltd. announced Friday it has requested arbitration proceedings to fight a Panamanian decision to halt a major open-pit copper mine concession in Panama or obtain damages. First Quantum said one arbitration was requested under the...

Philadelphia votes to ban ski masks to decrease crime. Opponents worry it'll unfairly target some

Dec. 01, 2023 15:48 PM EST

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia City Council passed legislation to ban ski masks in some public spaces, a measure supporters say will increase public safety amid high violent crime, but opponents argue it will unfairly target people without proof of any wrongdoing. The legislation...

Tougher penalties for rioting, power station attacks among new North Carolina laws starting Friday

Dec. 01, 2023 15:14 PM EST

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New or tougher criminal penalties against rioting, vandalizing power stations and harassing law enforcement officers and emergency workers are among North Carolina laws approved this year that took effect Friday. Expanded gun rights at some places of worship...

Former ambassador and Republican politician sues to block Tennessee voting law

Nov. 30, 2023 14:59 PM EST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Ambassador to Poland and longtime Tennessee Republican politician Victor Ashe sued state election officials on Wednesday over a law he claims is so vague that he could be prosecuted for voting in a Republican primary. The 1972 state law requiring...

North Carolina trial judges block election board changes made by Republican legislature

Nov. 30, 2023 14:57 PM EST

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges on Thursday blocked portions of a new law that would transfer Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s authority to pick election board members to the Republican-dominated General Assembly. Following a 90-minute hearing, the three state judges...

South Korean farmers rally near presidential office to protest proposed anti-dog meat legislation

Nov. 30, 2023 07:41 AM EST

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Dozens of South Korean dog farmers scuffled with police during a rally near the presidential office on Thursday to protest a push by authorities to outlaw dog meat consumption. Earlier this month, government and ruling party officials agreed to introduce...

Panama's high court declared a mining contract unconstitutional. Here's what's happening next

Nov. 30, 2023 02:50 AM EST

PANAMA CITY (AP) — In a historic ruling, Panama’s Supreme Court this week declared that legislation granting a Canadian copper mine a 20-year concession was unconstitutional, a decision celebrated by thousands of Panamanians activists who had argued the project would damage a forested coastal...

Fast-track legislative maneuvers hinder public participation, nonpartisan Kentucky group says

Nov. 29, 2023 16:20 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Weeks before Kentucky lawmakers reconvene to debate policy, a nonpartisan group issued a report Wednesday scrutinizing the procedures sometimes used to pass legislation. The review conducted by the League of Women Voters of Kentucky found that lawmakers...

Canada says Google will pay $74 million annually to Canadian news industry under new online law

Nov. 29, 2023 15:05 PM EST

TORONTO (AP) — Canada's government said Wednesday it reached a deal with Google for the company to contribute $100 million Canadian dollars annually to the country's news industry to comply with a new Canadian law requiring tech companies to pay publishers for their content. The...

Algeria passes law to protect media freedom. Others used to imprison journalists remain on the books

Nov. 29, 2023 13:11 PM EST

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algeria's National Council passed a new media law that officials hailed as a major victory for the country's journalists as concerns about press freedoms have plagued President Abdelmajid Tebboune's first term in office. The new law repeals the country's...