Newsletter Apr 21, 2021

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts Tuesday, bringing hope to Black Americans about racial justice.

3 Things

Justice and peace: America held its collective breath Tuesday as a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges for the murder of Black Lives Matter icon George Floyd, whose horrific death last summer sparked a racial justice movement.
Floyd's pleas for help while Chauvin's knee was pressing down on his neck were replayed throughout the trial after those same images outraged the world. The prosecution even relied on the visual evidence in closing arguments, begging jurors to believe their eyes.
They did as members of jury deliberated less than 11 hours before finding Chauvin guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Crowds gathered outside the courtroom and around TVs across the nation, erupting in cheers over the verdict.
President Joe Biden called members of the Floyd family to say he was "relieved" by the outcome: "This can be a giant step forward in the march towards justice in America," the president said, calling on citizens of all colors and creeds to unite against racism and violence.
CHAUVIN FACING UP TO 40 YEARS IN SENTENCING PHASE

Following the herd: The U.S. has plenty of reasons to pat itself on the back for its vaccine rollout, which is widely regarded as the most successful worldwide. After all, more than half of all Americans have received at least one shot, and everyone 16 and over is now eligible.
However, in the race to reach herd immunity -- a level where enough people are vaccinated that the virus is essentially eradicated -- is still a fleeting goal. For all the effort it took to achieve a 50% inoculation rate, the 85% to 90% of the population needed to be vaccinated for herd immunity simply isn't going to happen for a number of reasons.
For starters, a large segment of the population, including 45% of Republicans, say they do not plan to get vaccinated against COVID. Also, the number of mutating variants pose a challenge to the effectiveness of the vaccines, and some shots will likely require a third booster shot. In short, the U.S. is still has a long way to go.
SEE HOWTHE U.S. IS LOSING THE RACE TO HERD IMMUNITY

Kremlin critic critical: Russian activist and outspoken Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny is reportedly on the verge of death, and prison officials are refusing to allow his doctors to see him.
Navalny, who was arrested earlier this year upon returning to his home country after surviving an alleged poisoning attempt by the Russian government, has been on a hunger strike since March 31. He has also been refusing medical treatment, but his lawyers are requesting his transfer to a civilian hospital for professional care.
Navalny's doctors were denied access to him but two of his lawyers were allowed to visit him and declared him "very weak" and barely able to lift his head. His detainment has sparked protests throughout Russia and the U.S. has threatened sanctions if he passes away.
FIND OUT WHAT PUTIN IS DOING TO TAMP DOWN PROTESTS

Markets

DJIA	33,821.30	-0.75%
S&P 500	4,134.94	-0.68%
Nasdaq Composite	13,786.27	-0.92%
Japan: Nikkei 225	28,508.55	-2.03%
UK: FTSE 100	6,859.87	-2.00%
Crude Oil Futures	62.30	-0.22%
Gold Futures	1,786.70	0.47%
Yen	108.03	-0.05%
Euro	1.20	-0.08%
* As of market close

'The Price Is (Up) Right'

If you consider yourself pretty adept at playing along at home with "The Price Is Right," you might want to up your game in the coming episodes.

That's because price increases are in the pipeline for a wide range of everyday household items, and those costs can add up quickly for Americans still trying to pull themselves out of a pandemic-sized hole.

The latest major corporation to announce upcoming price hikes is Proctor & Gamble, which makes, well, pretty much everything in your bathroom cabinets -- toilet paper, facial tissue, diapers, laundry detergent and more.

Pandemic-related price increases are on the way for a variety of common items, with companies like Kimberly-Clark, Coca-Cola and J.M. Smucker recently announcing hikes. Shortages in everything from coffee to pork products, and from wood pulp to peanuts, also look to drive up costs.

The hikes further threaten an uptick in inflation as the economy tries to moderate after a yearlong health crisis and an influx of stimulus spending.

FIND OUT WHICH ITEMS WILL BE COSTING CONSUMERS MORE

Vaccination vacation

After spending more than a year cooped up in the house during the pandemic, Americans are increasingly ready to get away from it all.

Thanks to the vaccination effort in the U.S., its citizens have been cleared to travel to as many as 65 different countries without going through the previously required quarantine period. For the first time since last March, Americans finally have the feasibility and flexibility to travel abroad.

The CDC has updated its list of countries where Americans can visit freely and its new rules governing international travel. All citizens leaving the U.S. must provide proof of a negative COVID test 72 hours before the time of departure. There are other mask mandates, curfews and rules.

The CDC also updated its list of Level 4 locations, which have the highest risk of contracting COVID or one of its many variants. Countries like India and Germany are still dealing with spikes and changes in regulations. But popular destinations like Jamaica, Costa Rica and the U.K. have all opened their borders to Americans who are increasingly ready to roam.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF NATIONS WHERE AMERICANS CAN TRAVEL

Un-natural Light

Natural Light has never been considered one of Anheuser-Busch's fancier brand names. It's always been for beer-drinkers on a budget -- period.

But in an era when nothing goes unscathed by the rebranding bug, Natty Light is expanding its brand and undergoing a major makeover. The bargain beer is unveiling a new line of alcohol-infused frozen popsicles that come in virtually every fruity flavor under the sun -- except beer.

Naturday Frozen Icicles launched Tuesday with strawberry and pineapple lemonade flavors, with watermelon, green apple, lemon and blue raspberry on the way just in time for summer. It's a gamble on the more adventurous taste buds of younger drinkers who want more than just beer.

"We want to be the preferred alcohol brand â€” not just for beer â€” for drinkers between 21 and 30 years old," one Anheuser-Busch executive said.. â€œPeople want variety, which is what drives our innovation strategy."

Natty Light also released a line of spiked seltzers, but we're not so sure how the rainbow of flavors is going to fly with the brand's beer drinkers.

FIND OUT NATURAL LIGHT'S MARKETING MAKEOVER STRATEGY