Latest Newsletter

Protests Over Puerto Rico Aid

Puerto Rican Gov. Wanda Vázquez has fired three of her cabinet members after a Facebook video posted Saturday revealed a 43,000-square-foot government warehouse full of unused emergency aid. On Monday, hundreds of protesters gathered in San Juan to express their outrage over the situation.

Coronavirus Spreads From Humans

On Monday, a prominent Chinese scientist confirmed that the mysterious new coronavirus believed to have originated in Wuhan is capable of spreading from person to person. The respiratory illness has killed at least three people and sickened more than 200 across China – the World Health Organization is convening a panel of experts on Wednesday to discuss whether or not to declare an international emergency.

Norway’s Majority Coalition Dissolves

Norway’s Progress Party pulled out of the country’s ruling coalition Monday, pointing to the government’s decision to repatriate a woman suspected of belonging to the Islamic State. Last week, the cabinet decided to bring the unnamed 29-year-old woman and her two children back to Norway so her five-year-old son could receive medical treatment.

The Loan Ranger

According to CNBC, Boeing has secured loans from banks totalling at least $6 billion so far, and is in talks to borrow an additional $4 billion (and maybe more). The loans will go towards the rising costs stemming from two fatal crashes of Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft, as the company recently posted an unprecedented net negative in plane orders for 2019.

Military Maneuvers

UK defense company BAE Systems has agreed to pay $1.93 billion in cash to acquire United Technologies’ Military Global Positioning System business. BAE also said Monday it was acquiring Raytheon’s Airborne Tactical Radios business for a price tag of $275 million.

Petition Position

Tesla issued a statement on Monday pushing back against a recent petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that complains about “sudden, unexpected acceleration” in a wide range of Tesla vehicles. In the statement, the company identifies the individual who brought about the petition as an independent investor shorting Tesla stock.

Firefighter Fellowship

As a father, Glenn Preston wants to be there for his kids’ most important moments. Unlike most dads, Glenn is currently battling Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer that requires him to go through intensive treatment and surgery, which has made it difficult to continue his job as a firefighter.

When treatment rendered Glenn unable to attend his son’s baseball game, he was crushed. But his firefighter brothers and sisters from nearby towns refused to let Glenn and his family down – hundreds of Glenn’s colleagues from more than 50 fire departments showed up to cheer on 11-year-old Jake. Together, they inspire the world to remember the powerful force of love that happens when people come together.

Canine Conundrum

Like most people in urban communities, Jack Jokinen and his wife are careful to lock their doors at night. You can imagine their surprise, then, when one morning they woke up to find a malnourished dog sitting in the middle of their living room. When they checked their security footage, the couple saw the emaciated pooch had wandered in when the door was blown open in the middle of the cold winter night, and was subsequently closed by a passing Good Samaritan.

Jack and his wife washed off the dog’s fleas and ticks, gave her a good meal and a warm bed, and took her to the vet for a checkup. Jack was able to fund the unexpected healthcare costs through donations from an online community of dog lovers, who were kept abreast of the situation via social media. The couple decided to name her Suzy, and continue to consider themselves fortunate to have such an adorable late-night intruder.