The Week of January 7, 2024 by CoenM

What REPUBLICAN suspended his campaign for his party's presidential nomination? He was also heard on a hot mic before the announcment dismissing the chances of other candidates defeating Donald Trump.

Elections on what ISLAND saw the DPP retain the president's office, with vice president William Lai Ching-te set to succeed Tsai Ing-wen?

Congressional leaders agreed to what TYPE OF RESOLUTION, which if passed would approve a two-step funding plan that would push the deadline to avoid a government shutdown to early March? Without the deal a partial government shutdown would start on January 19.

In what US STATE did three migrants drown after state law enforcement took control of a park in Eagle Pass? Their fencing off of the park prevented federal Border Patrol agents from starting lifesaving operations.

What ORGANIZATION declared a blood supply emergency, noting a 7000 unit shortfall in donations between Christmas and New Year's Day? They also noted that the number of donors has dropped by 40 percent over the last 20 years.

The US and what ALLY struck a number of sites in Yemen in retaliation for repeated attacks on shipping by Houthi rebels? Four Typhoons stationed in Cyprus hit drone sites in the north of Houthi-held territory.

What CAR RENTAL AGENCY announced it would sell 20,000 of its fleet of electric cars and replace them with gasoline powered vehicles? The agency cited high damage repair costs and high depreciation as factors for the change.

NASA announced that the next two missions in what SPACE PROGRAM would be delayed by a year in order to sort out issues with electrical and environmental systems? The earliest NASA astronauts will land on the moon is now September 2026.

What US CLIMATE ENVOY announced that he was stepping down from the post? A key figure in drafting the Paris climate accords, he is expected to join President Biden's reelection campaign.

Your HallR mini-theme of the week (TM): Pink Slipped. Amazon announced another round of layoffs, this time focused on Prime Video, MGM Studios,and what LIVE VIDEO STREAMER, which will lose 500 employees, approximately 35 percent of its entire staff? Amazon bought the company in 2014.

What BANK announced it would lay off 10 percent of its workforce - 20000 people - over the "medium term," expected to be a three to five year period? Part of CEO Jane Fraser's attempts to reduce costs, another round of job cuts is expected later in January.

The discovery of a ring shaped megastructre made up of galaxies and galaxy clusters further put into question what PRINCIPLE that states that the spatial distribution of matter in the universe is uniform at a large scale? The "Big Ring" is the seventh large structure found in space of at least 1 billion light years in length.