| View in browser Sunday 05.24.20
Your Memorial Day BBQ will probably look a little different this year. Here's how to make the most of it. Our weekday newsletter takes the day off tomorrow, too; back on Tuesday. Here's what else you need to know to Start Your Week Smart. By Michelle Krupa, Leah Asmelash & Faith Karimi
A subdued Muslim celebration The world's more than 1 billion Muslims today started celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan, even as coronavirus fears dampened the holiday spirit. Some nations have imposed restrictions to stop the spread of the virus and the normally festive holiday will be replaced by somber, smaller groups sharing lavish meals.
Enjoy your day off! Memorial Day is Monday, when we honor those who gave their lives in military service and mark the unofficial start of summer. With all 50 states now in some phase of reopening, the prospect of larger crowds amid warmer weather threatens to upend progress in slowing Covid-19's spread. One expert says staying safe is about hygiene, distance -- and time.
The New York Stock Exchange returns to the trading floor After months of electronic-only trading, the NYSE is set to reopen the trading floor Tuesday. But rather than the bustling images we've grown accustomed to, floor brokers will return in smaller numbers, wear protective masks and socially distance. NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are set to make history Wednesday as the first crew to fly in SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, on a mission to the International Space Station. It'll also be the first time astronauts have flown to the ISS from US soil in almost a decade, since 2011 -- when NASA retired the Space Shuttle Program.
A new contender emerges in the streaming wars: HBO Max After months of hype, HBO Max is scheduled to launch Wednesday. In an already crowded market, Hbo Max is a bit more expensive at $14.99 per month. But it will be the home of "Friends," plus other HBO and Warner Bros. content. The service shares a parent company with CNN.
Shavuot begins The Jewish holiday of Shavuot begins Thursday, commemorating the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. The holiday often is observed with all-night study sessions of the Torah, rather than the family meals that mark holidays like Passover.
Cheers, mint julep fans Saturday is Mint Julep Day in the US. The famous cocktail is most closely associated with the Kentucky Derby, which typically takes place on the first Saturday of May -- though not this year. With just mint, sugar and whiskey, it's an easy drink to make at home, if you're so inclined.
Pay tribute to heroes on the front lines The National Memorial Day Concert goes virtual, with hosts Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna honoring those who perished in uniform and also workers at the fore of the pandemic. Gen. Colin Powell, Cynthia Erivo, Renee Fleming, Trace Adkins, CeCe Winans, Laurence Fishburne and the National Symphony Orchestra take part. Tune in at 8 ET on PBS, Facebook and YouTube. The books a school board couldn't ban Check out fresh theater for a good cause Actors and playwrights are stuck at home -- much like schoolchildren, many who don't have enough to eat. The Homebound Project matches the artists in new, short performances, with revenue from online-access tickets ($10 and up) sent directly to the nonprofit No Kid Hungry. The second edition closes today, with another set next month.
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