Newsletter Jun 16, 2021

The U.S. hit a troubling milestone of 600,000 deaths due to COVID-19 -- and there will be many more to come unless more citizens get vaccinated.

3 Things

Strength in numbers:Chicago's Soldier Field, the Kentucky Derby's Churchill Downs, the Rose Bowl in California, Penn State's Beaver Stadium and L.A.'s Memorial Coliseum all seat well over 100,000.
Pack them all full of fans and they still don't add up to the number of Americans who have died from COVID-related illnesses since the start of the pandemic last March. That should put Tuesday's grim milestone of 600,000 deaths in the U.S. in the proper perspective.
Despite the increase in vaccinations and spread prevention awareness, the U.S. eclipsed the 600,000 mark and cemented the undesirable distinction of leading all other countries in the world. That's why health officials are still pushing for more vaccinations.
With 64% of the eligible population receiving at least one dose of the shot, the U.S. seems to have stalled short of its goal to reach the 70% mark by the Fourth of July. Vaccine hesitancy continues to keep many Americans on the sidelines as new variants threaten to undo the recent gains. The deadly delta mutation is gaining ground in the U.S. while millions refuse to get inoculated for various reasons.
Now health officials are concerned that the U.S. could see another spike heading into the fall unless more Americans decide to roll up their sleeves. Offers of everything from free beer and marijuana to Super Bowl tickets and million-dollar lotteries aren't doing the trick.
SEE WHICH EIGHT STATES ARE HOLDING UP VAX PROGRESS

Superpower showdown: President Joe Biden has talked the talk about confronting Russian President Vladimir Putin on behalf of its western allies. Now it's time to walk the walk when the two meet face to face in Geneva, Switzerland today address some critical issues.
Biden is expected to draw "red lines" for Putin in a meeting reminiscent of the Cold War era. Issues concerning Russia's alleged cyberattacks on corporations and government agencies, meddling in democratic elections, and disputes over international borders set the stage for a contentious interchange between Biden and Putin.
"I'm not looking for conflict," Biden said following the NATO summit, but "we will respond if Russia continues its harmful activities."
Putin has issued similarly strong statements about his meeting with Biden, denying the many changes that the U.S. intelligence agencies have laid down about his aggressive behavior. Don't expect to much agreement between the two -- other than agreeing to disagree.
FIND OUT HOW BIDEN PLANS TO PUT PUTIN IN HIS PLACE

Luxury in space: While the U.S. and Russia are seated at the bargaining table, China will be having a blast -- quite literally.
China's first manned mission will be a more luxurious affair for the astronauts making the trip to the country's new space station compared to when the other two superpowers made their debuts in space. The astronauts will have a choice of 120 different types of food and "space treadmills" for entertainment during their voyages..
The astronauts will spend three months onboard the station, which has separate living modules for each of them, as well as a shared bathroom, dining area, and a communication center to send emails.
The mission will be China's longest crewed space mission to date and the first in nearly five years, as Beijing pushes forward with its ambitious program to establish itself as a major player in space.
FIND OUT HOW CHINA IS BECOMING A SPACE SUPERPOWER

Markets

DJIA	34,299.33	-0.27%
S&P 500	4,246.59	-0.20%
Nasdaq Composite	14,072.86	-0.71%
Japan: Nikkei 225	29,303.22	-0.47%
UK: FTSE 100	7,172.48	0.36%
Crude Oil Futures	72.72	0.83%
Gold Futures	1,859.50	0.17%
Yen	110.09	0.03%
Euro	1.21	-0.03%
* As of market close

Restaurant revival

For more than a year the restaurant industry has been crushed by the affects of the pandemic, forcing many eateries to lay off employees or even due to a lack of business. Today, with half the country vaccinated and ready to return to normal, restaurants have the opposite problem.

The onset of the summer season has seen restaurants rush back into business in hopes of making up for lost time and revenue. But issues with staffing, seating capacities and cost increases have restaurants struggling to stay open amid a boom due to labor shortages and rising food costs.

According to data from Yelp, Americans are dining out in record numbers as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country, Many restaurants are struggling to keep their business operating to keep up with demand.

SEE HOW RESTAURANTS ARE COPING WITH TOO MUCH BUSINESS

Bucking the Bronco

For the first time in a quarter-century, Ford began producing its iconic Bronco model at its Michigan Assembly Plant this week, signaling not only a comeback of the popular vehicle but also a return to American ingenuity.

More than 125,000 orders have been placed for the 2021 4X4 Bronco SUV, reflecting nostalgia for one of the first of its kind ever made in 1965. After Ford pulled the plug on the Bronco in 1996 in favor of smaller, more fuel-efficient models, it is bringing back the Bronco by popular demand.

â€œWe know the fans have been waiting for the Bronco â€“ and weâ€™re so excited to bring it back,â€ Ford announced. â€œAnd this Bronco is better than ever. Weâ€™re staying authentic to Broncoâ€™s goes-over-any-terrain heritage and have leveraged the brandâ€™s Built Wild innovative design, durability and advanced off-road capability to get the most out of every adventure.â€

The new Bronco has a base price of $29,995 -- mud and dirt not included.

CHECK OUT THE SPECS ON THE NEW FORD 4X4 BRONCO SUV

Surfing sharks

Sharks have more in common with humans than originally thought after researchers discovered that certain species -- just like certain people -- love to surf. And just like the 10-toed type, sharks go surfing to relax.

A new study investigated the curious behavior displayed by grey reef sharks and other species, which use the currents to take a break from the daily routine of swimming, eating and making baby sharks (cue the song).

"Gray reef sharks save energy using predicted updraft zones in channels and 'surfing the slope,'" the researchers wrote. "Analogous to birds using wind-driven updraft zones, negatively buoyant marine animals may use current-induced updraft zones to reduce energy expenditure."

That's a scientific way of saying sharks, like human beings, find surfing to be a relaxing activity after a hectic day of hunting and gathering. Of course, the former also like the latter as a snack on a surfboard cracker.

FIND OUT WHICH SHARKS ARE MOST LIKELY TO RIDE THE WAVES