Month: April 2021

Papua New Guinea PM Survives Another Bid to Oust Him

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has survived another attempt to remove him from office when the Speaker adjourned Parliament for four months, the Guardian reported, safeguarding his position until the next election. Marape was due to face a vote of no confidence this week but the government, citing a rampant COVID-19 outbreak, proposed…


House Passes Another Democrat Attempt to Limit Executive Power for Issuing Travel Bans

The House on Wednesday voted largely on party lines to advance a bill that limits the president’s authority to issue travel bans on foreign nationals from entering the United States. House Democrats introduced the bill, known as the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act, as a response to former President Donald Trump’s 2017 travel…


‘We Are Very Careful’: Australia’s Foreign Minister Defends Cancelling Belt and Road Deal

Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne has defended her decision to intervene and cancel the state of Victoria’s Belt and Road deals with Beijing after the Chinese embassy lashed out, labelling the move “unreasonable and provocative.” ABC AM host Sabra Lane told Payne she’d have to be naive to think Beijing won’t retaliate given the various tariffs…


‘It Was a Really Tough Time’: Pandemic Takes a Toll on International Students’ Mental Health

It has been more than one year since the last time Hailey Do, a third-year student from the University of Technology Sydney, left her hometown. Feeling trapped in her 80-square meter flat in the bustling suburb of Strathfield, Sydney, she longs for her peaceful homeland, Da Lat, a small city nestling among the wooded hills…


California’s Newsom Declares Drought Emergency in 2 Counties

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Mendocino and Sonoma counties on April 21 because of drought conditions. The declaration marks the second year of drought conditions in the Golden State. Newsom’s emergency order directs state agencies to inform Californians about the conditions and encourage water conservation. Newsom used Lake Mendocino as…


California Governor Declares Drought Emergency in 2 Counties

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency in Mendocino and Sonoma counties on April 21 due to drought conditions. The emergency declaration marks the second year of drought conditions in the Golden State. Newsom’s emergency order directs state agencies to inform Californians about drought conditions and encourage water conservation. Newsom made the…


US Sen. Rick Scott Applauds Cancellation of Belt and Road Initiative in Australia

U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) has applauded the Australian government’s decision to axe the controversial Belt and Road Initiative agreement signed by the Victorian state government. Scott said in a statement, “Communist China’s Belt and Road Initiative has one mission, to extend its control over other nations and advance its quest for world domination.” “I applaud the…


Columbus Police Identifies Officer Who Fatally Shot 16-Year-Old Ma’Khia Bryant

The Columbus Division of Police in Ohio on Wednesday identified the officer who shot and killed a 16-year-old girl after she tried to stab two other females with a knife. The officer is identified as Nicholas Reardon who has been with the division for one year. He has been taken off his Zone 2 Patrol assignment for…


Facts Matter (April 21): It’s Costing Taxpayers $60M per Month to House Migrant Kids; Facilities Overflowing

Foster parents in California are being asked if they can take in unaccompanied Central American children who have recently crossed the southern border. Automated emails and phone calls from the state’s Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) have asked foster parents if they can take anywhere from one to 26 or more children. Facts Matter is…


Facts Matter (April 21): Foster Parents Asked to Take In Unaccompanied Minors From Central America

Foster parents in California are being asked if they can take in unaccompanied Central American children who have recently crossed the southern border. Automated emails and phone calls from the state’s Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) have asked foster parents if they can take anywhere from one to 26 or more children. Facts Matter is…