Newsletter May 25, 2021

The anniversary of George Floyd's murder at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer marks a moment that shocked the world and inspired action.

3 Things

Somber occasion: For older Americans, it's Pearl Harbor and the JFK assassination. For boomers, it's 9/11 and space shuttle disasters. But for a new generation of Americans, the murder of George Floyd playing out on national TV is one of those tragic dates that will live in infamy -- and hopefully bring about positive change.
It was one year ago today that the world watched in disgust as the life was literally choked out of a handcuffed Black man while he and onlookers begged for mercy. Their videos gave Americans an ugly glimpse into the reality and disparity of social justice based on race.
A lot has happened in the year since Floyd's death -- protests, violence, a trial, and the opportunity to have a national conversation about recalibrating the scales of justice and genuine police reform.
President Joe Biden will mark the anniversary by welcoming members of the Floyd family to the White House, and tributes will be held in his honor across the country as America tries to focus on living up to its founding principle -- that all men are created equal.
SEE HOW BIDEN AND THE FLOYD FAMILY WILL PAY TRIBUTE

UFO citing: Former President Barack Obama raised eyebrows with his recent comments about UFOs. Biden isn't ready to stick his neck out quite so far, dodging questions on the touchy subject Monday.
"I would ask him again," Biden quipped when asked what he thought about Obama's appearance on "The Late Late Show With James Corden" last week: "When it comes to aliens, there are some things I just canâ€™t tell you on air," Obama joked. "What is true, and I'm actually being serious here, is that there is footage and records of objects in the skies that we don't know exactly what they are."
The once-thorny topic (the last thing politicians want to give their opponents is a video clip of their beliefs on aliens) is seeing the stigma lifted as more evidence rolls in and calls grow louder for the government to tell the American people what we know -- or more likely, what we don't know. Early indications are that the Pentagon report that is due in June will shed little light on subject of UFOs.
WATCH SOME OF THE RECENTLY DECLASSIFIED UFO VIDEOS

COVID questions: Skepticism about China's forthrightness on the origins of the coronavirus has experts -- including expert numero uno Dr. Anthony Fauci -- calling for an independent investigation.
Intelligence reports claiming that the Wuhan National Biosafety Lab saw several employees hospitalized with an unknown illness in November 2019 -- a full month before China disclosed its coronavirus outbreak -- is raising more questions about COVID-19.
Even Fauci, who was previously receptive to China's claims about an accidental animal-to-human transmission, has recently been asking for full transparency to get to the bottom of the virus' origins.
The WHO signed off on the latest investigation, which has its critics. China is lashing out at the U.S. intel report and sticking to its story.
FIND OUT ABOUT THE INTEL REPORT ON THE WUHAN LAB

Markets

DJIA	34,393.98	0.54%
S&P 500	4,197.05	0.99%
Nasdaq Composite	13,661.17	1.41%
Japan: Nikkei 225	28,553.98	0.67%
UK: FTSE 100	7,048.18	-0.05%
Crude Oil Futures	65.58	-0.71%
Gold Futures	1,884.30	-0.01%
Yen	108.81	0.04%
Euro	1.23	0.32%
* As of market close

Digital dollar signs

The Federal Reserve made its strongest overture yet about the possible creation a U.S.-backed digital dollar, which was music to the ears of cryptocurrency investors who took a beating in last week's downturn.

The Fed Governor Lael Brainard spoke glowingly about the virtues of a digital dollar, particularly the ability to provide stability to the emerging crypto market. She pointed out that the U.S. is behind much of the modern world as international banking systems embrace digital currency.

â€œThe Federal Reserve remains committed to ensuring that the public has access to safe, reliable, and secure means of payment, including cash,â€ she said. â€œAs part of this commitment, we must explore â€” and try to anticipate â€” the extent to which householdsâ€™ and businessesâ€™ needs and preferences may migrate further to digital payments over time.â€

The Fed has been slow to establish the digital dollar, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Jerome Powell has announced that The Fed will soon release information explaining how a potential digital dollar would address some of the major issues concerning cryptocurrency.

FIND OUT THE FED'S PLAN TO INTRODUCE THE DOLLAR DIGITAL

17-year-old sushi

You've heard the one about what to do when the world gives you lemons? In a strange and stomach-churning twist, some culinary types are putting their own spin on it -- when the world gives you cicadas, make sushi.

For those who don't live in the part of the country that is currently being overrun by the ugly bugs, Brood X cicadas are insects that spend 17 years underground before emerging to party like it's -- in this case, 2021.

Swarms of the loud, locust-looking critters are causing sleepless nights (at least the ones not splattered on windshields) throughout parts of the Eastern Seaboard and the Southeast. Some adventurous foodies are incorporating the insects into once-in-a-generation dishes, including one chef's recipe for friend cicada sushi. Be sure to order extra wasabi.

CHECK OUT HOW CHEFS ARE PUTTING CICADAS TO GOOD USE

Have vax, will travel

United Airlines is offering the perfect incentive for loyalty club members to get their COVID vaccination -- the chance to do something no one has been allowed to do for more than a year -- travel anywhere in the world.

In an attempt to convince customers to get vaccinated and get back in the air, United announced its new promotion that will give five lucky program members and one loved one each free flights for a year to any destination where the airline flies -- classic destinations Italy, Spain and France, new routes to Greece, Croatia and Iceland, as well as anywhere in the U.S.

Existing members and those looking to jump on the free-travel express can enter the contest at United's web site or by downloading the mobile app, where you can enter your vaccination information. Next month's drawing will choose the winners, and they get to select their dream destinations -- not a bad way to recover from pandemic lockdown days.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENTER FOR A CHANCE AT FREE TRAVEL