News around the World - North America

North America is the third largest continent in the world and is home to 23 independent states including the USA, Canada, and Mexico, making up 7.5% of the world's population. 

The USA is a consistent contributor to world news. Currently, the inquiry into President Donald Trump’s impeachment is causing national unrest and mass global coverage. ABC News defines impeachment as “the formal process by which a sitting president of the United States may be accused of wrongdoing” (Keneally, 2019). On the 24th of September 2019, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the formal inquiry into Trump’s impeachment, after Trump confirmed that he colluded with foreign officials (notably, Ukraine) to advance him in the 2020 election. This debacle is a subject of political integrity, and its intensity airs the further debate as to whether government officials are permitted to be “above the law”. Trump has taken to many different platforms to respond to the inquiry. At a Minneapolis rally 2 days ago, his first public event since the inquiry, he intentionally avoided his misconduct and chose an approach that would demonize Joe Biden and his son Hunter. He had many remarks to discredit Biden (also a 2020 candidate), and he called Hunter a “loser”; his speech was an off-script ramble which lasted over 90 minutes. A Fox News poll released on Thursday revealed that 51% of voters wish to see Trump impeached and subsequently removed from office. (Blanton, 2019)

Pelosi: ”The actions of the Trump presidency revealed the dishonorable fact of the president’s betrayal of his oath of office, betrayal of our national security, and betrayal of the integrity of our elections." (Keneally, 2019)

In other news, the last debate of Canada’s federal election campaign saw the discussion of climate change and Quebec’s Bill 21 amongst Canadian party leaders. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau argued against the conservative premiers who deny the discussion of climate change and said that he would implement initiatives to increase environmental awareness and efficiency. People’s Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier argued the latter, saying that we “shouldn’t fear a crisis that doesn’t exist”. Bill 21 (if imposed) would ban civil servants from wearing religious items at work. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh who wears a turban, argued against this, however noting that he is in support of many of Quebec’s values such as the fight for climate change. Trudeau also shared a similar opinion to Singh. Conversely, Bernier argued that Bill 21 is within Quebec’s jurisdiction, and should be allowed. 

Author - Hannah Arain

References: 

Blanton, D. (2019). Fox News Poll: Record support for Trump impeachment. [online] Fox News. Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-poll-record-support-for-trump-impeachment [Accessed 11 Oct. 2019].

Keneally, M. (2019). Trump impeachment hearing: Here's how the process works. [online] ABC News. Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/impeachment-process-works/story?id=51202880 [Accessed 11 Oct. 2019].