North America

Trusted news agencies tracing tendencies of democratisation and autocratisation globally

Clean elections08. May

Tennessee enacts new district map in battle ahead of Midterms

08. May

Governance study: Trump comeback deepens divides, weakens institutions

Equal protection07. May

Most EU citizens do not see the US as trustworthy partner, study finds

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information05. May

Pulitzers honor damning coverage of Donald Trump and his policies

The Pulitzer Prizes are regarded as the most prestigious awards in US journalism. This year, several winners had taken a critical look at the work of US President Trump’s administration. When thex were announced, it also became clear just how much headwind the US media is facing.

AFP English

Clean elections30. April

Florida approves new congressional map in boost to Republicans

As the redistricting battle in the US continues unabated, the state of Florida approved a new congressional map which could boost the Republicans by four seats. Democrat resistance was vocal but futile, as one said the new map destroys democracy.

dpa

Clean elections30. April

US Supreme Court weakens Voting Rights Act, more redistricting to come

The voting rights of minorities in the US took a blow this week when the Supreme Court ruled to limit Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which broadly outlawed discriminating in voting on the basis of race. The full effects of this will be visible in a few years.

dpa

Clean elections23. April

Court in US state of Virginia blocks voter-approved redistricting plan

A US court rejected a redistricting vote in Virginia hours after voters in the state approved a measure boosting the Democrats chances for House of Representatives seats. The wording on the ballot was misleading, the judge said. Democrats will challenge the ruling.

DNA

Direct popular vote22. April

Virginia approves major redistricting measure ahead of US midterms

The political battle in the US for dominance via redistricting ahead of the November midterm elections continues unabated. Virginians have now voted for a redistricting plan which favours Democrats. The result is a narrow victory which may yet be overturned by the courts.

DNA

Regional government14. April

Lawmaker's resignation shakes up a chaotic California governor's race

California is one of the world’s largest economies and the most populous state in the US. Whoever is governor there wields a great deal of influence. The position is up for election this year, and there is a huge field of candidates. However, one key candidate has now withdrawn.

DNA

Clean elections14. April

Canadian PM Carney secures majority government with by-election wins

Mark Carney won last year’s general election in Canada by a clear margin, yet until now he had been governing the country with only a minority government. That has now changed, following three by-elections which have restored the House of Commons to full strength.

DNA

Equal protection14. April

Trump allows LGBTQ pride flag to fly again at Stonewall monument

The US government under Donald Trump has already rolled back a number of measures regarding LGBTQ+ rights. New York City is one of the cities where there has been particularly fierce resistance to these changes. Activists there have now achieved a victory.

AFP English

Clean elections13. April

Election loss for Orbán has ripple effects for Trump, US conservatives

The election in Hungary at the weekend was regarded as one of the most important in the world this year. The mid-term elections in the US in November will be at least as important. Across the Atlantic, the election result in Budapest is attracting a great deal of attention.

DNA

Judicial constraints on the executive02. April

US Supreme Court hears case on Trump's birthright citizenship limits

Anyone born in the USA is granted US citizenship, but the Trump administration wishes to introduce exceptions to this principle. The dispute over this issue has now reached the US Supreme Court, where Trump became the first sitting US president ever to attend a hearing in person.

DNA

Judicial constraints on the executive01. April

Judge orders suspension of work on Trump's White House ballroom

A US federal judge has ordered a halt to work on President Trump's new White House Building. Trump did not have the necessary authority, which lay with Congress, the judge said. The administration said it would appeal.

DNA

Clean elections01. April

Democrats up in arms at Trump order tightening US election rules

An executive order on drawing up voters' lists and restricting mail-in ballots signed by President Trump has drawn widespread condemnation across the US. "See you in court," California governor and likely Democratic presidential candidate Gavin Newsom posted.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information26. March

US jury: Meta and YouTube did not warn about addiction risks

A US jury has ruled that internet giants Meta and Google were negligent regarding the addictive nature of their services. The case takes in Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp. Snapchat and TikTok settled before the trial, which is predicted to have wide knock-on effects.

DNA

Judicial constraints on the executive24. March

US Supreme Court hears mail-in ballot case that could impact midterms

The midterms in the US are one of the most closely watched elections of the year. A forthcoming ruling by the US Supreme Court could throw a last-minute spanner in the works if it overturns state laws about mail-in votes that arrive after election day.

DNA