The Week of August 15, 2021 by CoenM

The US Department of Agriculture announced a 25 percent rise in the average amount for what BENEFIT over pre-pandemic levels? This increase will effect roughly 42 million recipients, with an average monthly increase from $121 to $157.

Former Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani surfaced in what MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY? It’s become a favored destination for leaders in exile, also hosting Juan Carlos II and two former prime ministers of Thailand.

Toys R Us is making a second return to the retail market, with this latest foray as a store within the stores of what DEPARTMENT STORE? The plan is to open 400 "shop-in shops" next year, as well as including Toys R Us as part of the larger retailer's digital presence.

What COUNTRY gave emergency approval to ZyCoV-D, the first ever DNA-based vaccine? It is the country's second indigenously-developed Covid-19 vaccine, behind Covaxin, which uses an inactivated virus.

General Motors recalled all of what MODEL OF CHEVROLET due to two manufacturing defects in its batteries that can cause fires? GM has suggested that owners park outside and not leave the cars charging overnight.

Protests by Palestinians living in what TERRITORY turned violent, as clashes with Israeli forces left dozens injured? Israeli jets would later strike weapons sites there belonging to Hamas.

Buddy Dyer, the mayor of what FLORIDA CITY, asked residents to conserve water so that the liquid oxygenated used in water treatment plants could be diverted to hospitals for Covid-19 patients?

What WIRELESS CARRIER reported a data breach affecting 53 million current and former customers? It is the company’s sixth breach in the last four years.

Torrential rain caused widespread flash flooding in the central part of what US STATE, killing at least 21 people with about 20 more missing? The vast majority of the dead came from Waverly, the seat of Humphreys County.

Your HallR mini theme of the week (TM): Too Little Too Late? Jared Polis, the governor of what US STATE, officially rescinded an executive order from 1864 that encouraged the massacre of Native Americans?

The Massachusetts legislature took up a bill to expunge the 1693 conviction of Elizabeth Johnson, Jr. for what CRIME? She was sentenced to death but never executed.

The US Supreme Court temporarily stayed a ruling by a lower court that would have reinstated a Trump administration policy that required Central Americans planning to seek asylum to wait in what COUNTRY?