AARP opposes the PROMISE Act, a bipartisan Senate proposal to fast-track Social Security reforms, arguing it bypasses regular legislative order and lacks sufficient deliberation. This comes as Social Security faces a 2032 trust fund depletion, potentially leading to benefit cuts.
Hong Kong's new Advance Decision on Life-sustaining Treatment Ordinance, effective next Friday, faces operational challenges for frontline responders like ambulance crews, who worry about verifying patient wishes in emergencies and affordability for low-income families.
Japan's Parliament approved the first major revision of imperial succession laws since 1947, allowing male members of former imperial branches to be readmitted through adoption to increase male heirs. The changes do not permit female emperors, despite public support for Emperor Naruhito's daughter to inherit the throne, sparking debate on gender equality and tradition.
India's SHANTI Act 2025 modernizes its nuclear framework, allowing private participation in the civilian nuclear sector. This legislation, replacing older acts, aims to boost nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047, supported by Australia's uranium exports and increased equipment manufacturing.
Australia plans to double fines to $99m for social media platforms violating the under-16 ban, amid concerns over ineffective enforcement and calls for stricter algorithm regulation.
A terminally ill patient in Warsaw, Ewa Lutka-Krawczyk, expressed deep concern for her dog, Gaja, highlighting their emotional bond. This underscores a proposed Polish law to grant hospice and palliative care patients the legal right to pet visits, aiming to combat loneliness and ease suffering. The legislation is in parliament.
The UK government is proposing new legislation to prevent major sporting events like the World Cup from being exclusively behind paywalls. The changes aim to ensure digital and on-demand rights are offered to public service broadcasters, keeping these events accessible to the public.
The European Parliament approved stricter migration measures, granting member states wider powers to deport failed asylum-seekers. The new policy allows for "return hubs" in non-EU countries and detention for non-cooperation or security risks.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced new legislation on June 15 to enhance privacy rules, restrict "surveillance pricing" based on personal data, and give consumers more control over their information. The bill also aims to protect children's data and establish a new regulator, with significant fines for non-compliance.
Sweden's parliament has approved new laws allowing residency permits to be revoked for "bad behaviour" and requiring public sector workers to report undocumented individuals. Critics decry the measures as arbitrary and harmful to human rights.
Hong Kong officials stated that new legislation allowing certain criminal cases to be handled under national security procedures will be used rarely. The regulation empowers the chief executive to classify offenses as endangering national security, leading to stricter procedures like longer detention and tougher bail conditions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law allowing the arrest of property, bank deposits, and accounts of citizens residing abroad who commit crimes against Russia's interests, including discrediting the armed forces or inciting hatred.
Parents in Northern Ireland are calling for new legislation to enhance allergy protections in schools following the tragic death of a young boy. They advocate for compulsory training for teachers and dedicated allergy policies, inspired by 'Benedict's Law' in England.
Greece's government has submitted legislation to prevent European prosecutors from investigating parliamentarians, a move that could hinder probes into a major farm fraud scandal involving politicians. The proposed law mandates special investigative judges for MPs, drawing criticism from the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
Australia has banned the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network, previously known as White Australia, under new laws criminalizing hate groups. This follows an antisemitic attack in Sydney and aims to prevent organized hate rallies.
Indonesia's House of Representatives passed a landmark domestic worker protection bill into law on April 21, 22 years after it was first proposed. The legislation grants domestic workers 14 rights including access to social security, universal healthcare and mandatory vocational training. The scope of work is limited to 10 chores, and placement companies must be registered and barred from deducting workers' wages.
The Supreme Court declined to issue fresh directions on hate speech, ruling that existing legal provisions are sufficient and that creating new offences falls within the legislature's domain. The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta said constitutional courts may interpret law but cannot legislate, while urging the Centre to examine whether new legislation is needed in light of changing social contexts.
The UK government is set to make mobile phone bans in English schools a legal requirement through an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The House of Lords voted 107 majority in favour of the ban during the school day, with exceptions for sixth-formers, medical devices and boarding schools. The NASUWT and NAHT teacher unions support the move, which heads to the House of Commons for a vote on Wednesday.
Lisa O’Carroll reports on the ‘resetting’ of the relationship between the UK and the EUThis week, the Guardian reported that Labour is planning to bring in new legislation that will forge closer ties between the UK and the EU. Nearly 10 years on from the Brexit vote, the Guardian’s senior correspondent Lisa O’Carroll speaks to Helen Pidd about what a UK-EU reset would look like.Lisa and Helen also discuss the strength of the EU in the wake of Viktor Orbán’s defeat in the Hungary elections on Sunday. Continue reading...
