Here is this week’s news quiz!  Good luck!

1. Which three automakers are seeing strikes against them in the United States?

Spoiler
General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. The United Auto Workers (UAW) started the strike for greater pay and benefits on Friday morning. The UAW’s strategy is to gradually have more and more workers go on strike in order to apply more pressure during negotiations. Economists estimate that the strikes could deal a major blow to supply chains and produce billions in losses if it is prolonged.

2. To deal with the strikes described in question #1, President Biden has deployed the Labor Secretary to help in negotiations. Who is the current Secretary of Labor?

Spoiler
Julie Su. Su took office in March from Marty Walsh, who left his position to be the executive director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association. Su served as California Labor Secretary from 2019-2021.

3. Which Italian island has recently become the center for Europe’s ongoing migrant debate?

Spoiler
Lampedusa. The island, which is closer to Tunisia than the Italian mainland, is housing more than 1,500 migrants in a center that is built to accomodate a few hundred. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to crackdown on smuggling operations and bolster aid to Tunisia to reduce migrant flows.

4. Which North African nation saw a dam collapse last week, leading to the deaths of more than 11,000 people?

Spoiler
Libya. Two dams collapsed last weekend due to heavy rains, breaching two dams in Eastern Libya. The tragedy has led to calls for greater national unity for a country that has been engulfed in civil war since the overthrow of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. For example, the lack of unity will complicate search operations as well as inhibit investigations into the cause of the event.

5. Which state official survived a two-week impeachment trial last week?

Spoiler
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who faced impeachment charges for corruption for allegedly using his powers to protect Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who is facing federal charges of making false statements to banks. Republicans, who hold a 19-12 majority in the Texas Senate, largely held firm in voting against impeaching their fellow Republican officeholder. Only two voted yes on the 16 impeachment charges.

6. Which nation has come under fire for closing its border with Haiti?

Spoiler
The Dominican Republic. President Luis Abinader closed all air, sea, and traffic between the two countries on Sunday until Haiti stops construction on a canal that uses water from the Massacre River. Haiti is wanting to use the project to alleviate drough but the Dominican Republic argues that it would hurt their farmers and violate a 1929 treaty.

7. What must a candidate do to qualify for the next Republican debate?

Spoiler
To qualify for the second Republican debate, which will take place on September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, California, a candidate must be at 3% in two national polls or in a combination of a national poll and polls from two early states. Thus far, six candidates have qualified (if former President Donald Trump is excluded because of his unwillingness to debate thus far). Those who might be left out are North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

8. When do student loan repayments resume?

Spoiler
October 1. After the Biden administration’s student loan debt reduction program was struck down the Supreme Court and it agreed to a debt ceiling deal with Republicans, student loan payments are set to resume for the first time since March 2020. Interest began accruing on student loans again on September 1. Some economists estimate that the repayments could pull $100 billion from consumers. Others say it could lessen the impact of inflation in the U.S. economy.

9. California recently passed legisation that ends a travel ban imposed on whom?

Spoiler
States with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In 2016 the state prevented travel to states that have laws that discriminated “on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” 26 states were impacted by that law. California decided to repeal the law after arguments that it has produced negative consequences and isolated LGBTQ+ individuals in other states. The state will instead shift its focus toward outbreach and trying to push more conservative states toward LGBTQ+ acceptance.

10. Why have demonstrators taken to the streets in Guatemala?

Spoiler
To protest efforts by the country’s political establishment to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office. Arevalo won the August 20 election 61% to 31% against Sandra Torres. Arevalo is part of the progressive Seed Movement, which has had its headquarters raided by police officers. On Monday, CODECA, which represents the country’s indigenous population, has said that it will block roadways in protest over legal moves to prevent Arevalo from taking office. The United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) has also accused Guatemalan officials of taking unlawful steps against Arevalo and his political allies.