Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Tuesday, May 4, 2021:
COVID-19: REOPENINGS
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut will allow most businesses to operate at full pre-COVID capacity beginning May 19, a major milestone as the country starts to get back to some normalcy (the NYC subway will also resume 24-hour service that weekend and Broadway will be allowed to reopen). As an incentive, New Jersey is offering a free beer at a number of state breweries to anyone who shows their vaccination card. In Florida, Gov. DeSantis has lifted all remaining COVID restrictions in the state effective immediately, citing the widespread availability of vaccines. Overseas, the EU is recommending that member states open their borders to fully vaccinated travelers in time for the summer tourism season. REUTERS
VAX EXPANSION
The FDA is reportedly set to approve the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for adolescents aged 12 to 15 in the coming days. Pfizer said a month ago that trials showed the vaccine was at least as effective in that age group as it is in adults. The amended emergency authorization could go a long way in ensuring middle and high schools are open in the fall, and would also help the country get a little closer to herd immunity. Some experts think reaching that threshold is not going to be possible, given the rate of vaccine hesitancy among adults. Nearly half of Republicans say they won’t get the shot. NY TIMES
CTRL+ALT+DEL
Bill and Melinda Gates have announced that they are divorcing after 27 years of marriage. A joint statement from the couple appeared to come out of nowhere, reading: “After a great deal of thought and a lot of work on our relationship, we have made the decision to end our marriage.” Bill Gates is worth about $130 billion; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has about $50 billion in assets. Financial details of the split are not known, but the settlement could set records. RECODE
MEXICO TRAIN DISASTER
An overpass carrying a subway train in Mexico City collapsed overnight, killing at least 23 people, including children, according to officials. At least 65 people have been hospitalized. The train was traveling on an elevated track on the newest metro line of the system. Video footage shows the moment the overpass gave way onto the street below. CNN
COMMODITY BOOM
If you’re a regular N2K reader, you know about all the shortages out there -- new houses, new cars, microchips, packaging, etc. What they all have in common is that basically all raw materials are really expensive right now, and no one’s exactly sure when -- or if -- costs will level off. The price of lumber has tripled in the last year, for instance, and the ripple effect means fewer new homes are being built -- part of the reason the housing market is so hot. Rubber prices hit a four-year high in February -- that could trickle down to the cost of tires soon. Aluminum, steel, drywall, all up as much as 20 percent. The Fed has said it thinks the problems are temporary and will shake out as the pandemic recedes, but the White House is said to be keeping close attention to signs of inflation. FT
APP ECONOMY ON TRIAL
A landmark trial that could have big implications for Apple’s stranglehold of the App Store is underway in federal court in Oakland. Fortnite maker Epic Games is suing Apple, arguing that the company abuses its market power by charging app makers a 30 percent cut on downloads from the App Store. Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to testify in the three-week trial, and the judge’s decision will inform how the app economy operates going forward. Apple faces a handful of other similar antitrust suits, including one just brought by the EU over app fees. CHEDDAR
STEPH CURRY WITH THE SHOT
The Golden State Warriors are heading into the last two weeks of the regular season just a hair above .500, but their mediocre record is concealing one of the greatest runs in recent NBA history. Steph Curry recorded his ninth 40 point game of the season in the Warriors’ win over the Pelicans -- he’s scored 71 points just so far in May. Curry’s offensive hot streak is being compared to vintage Michael Jordan by his coach (and former MJ teammate) Steve Kerr. ESPN
DISNEY SYNERGIES
Today is Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You, get it?), and there are deals everywhere for the fan in your life -- from a Baby Yoda edition of Monopoly to a wireless charger that looks like the Millennium Falcon. Disney’s going all out, releasing a new Star Wars series, The Bad Batch, plus a Simpsons crossover short and more on Disney+. Today’s Yankees-Astros game airing on ESPN (part of Disney) will also have a Star Wars theme, with analysts in costume and a discussion of “MLB names with Star Wars ties.” If that’s not enough Mouse House for you, the studio’s Marvel unit also dropped the sizzle reel for its upcoming slate of releases, including the Black Panther sequel: WATCH
SPOTTED...
...President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland, giving a TV interview while his Bernese puppy vies for his attention: SEE IT
…Will Smith, channeling everyone in his latest Instagram post, a shirtless photo captioned “I’m in the worst shape of my life”: SEE IT
LEFTOVERS: VEGAN FINE DINING
One of the best restaurants in the world is ditching meat. Eleven Madison Park in Manhattan, considered among the top fine dining establishments anywhere, will make its famous $355 tasting menu entirely plant-based when the restaurant reopens for in-person service next month. Chef Daniel Humm said: "If Eleven Madison Park is truly at the forefront of dining and culinary innovation, to me it’s crystal clear that this is the only place to go next.” EATER
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