On The Spot

Coronavirus Updates

Global cases rose to nearly 8.25 million yesterday (up ~150k from yesterday), with over 445,100 deaths (up ~6.5k). The number of confirmed U.S. cases rose to almost 2.21 million (up ~30k), with 119,111 confirmed deaths (up ~1,250).

• The University of Oxford reported preliminary findings on Tuesday that showed the steroid dexamethasone reduced deaths in severely ill COVID-19 patients by up to one-third.
• New Zealand’s director-general of health yesterday announced the emergence of two new COVID-19 cases after the country was previously 24 days infection-free.
• A study published in The Lancet estimates that about 22% of the world’s population has an underlying health condition that could increase the severity of COVID-19 if infected.
• Canadian PM Justin Trudeau yesterday confirmed that the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed to nonessential travel until July 21.

North Korea Escalates Tensions With South

On Tuesday afternoon, North Korea blew up an empty inter-Korean liaison office near the border town of Kaesong. The move comes after Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, threatened to destroy the building over the weekend amid heightened tensions between the North and the South.

More: In a state media report early Wednesday, North Korea said it will deploy troops to occupy previously deserted posts along the Korean border, and plans to carry out several additional military maneuvers, effectively nullifying a 2018 tension-reduction deal with South Korea.

Even More: In a separate border clash between India & China, 20 Indian troops were killed and dozens are believed to be captured (Chinese casualties were not reported). Officials from both sides contend the skirmish followed the de facto border code not to use firearms.

DOJ Sues Bolton Over ‘Tell-All’ Book

The Justice Department filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against former national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday, attempting to block him from publishing his ‘tell-all’ book. The DOJ is claiming Bolton breached his contract by failing to finish a pre-publication review for classified information in the book, which could compromise national security. 

The Coronavirus Effect

• U.S. retail sales saw an 18% month-over-month increase in May, though sales remained down ~6% compared to the same time last year.
• Delta and American Airlines will stop serving alcoholic beverages on domestic flights to minimize interactions over COVID-19 concerns.
• NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the U.S. Open tennis tournament will be held in Queens as scheduled (beginning Aug. 31) with no fans in attendance due to COVID-19.
• AT&T confirmed it will implement widespread job cuts among upper and lower management and will also close 250 stores (impacting ~1,300 retail jobs).

Trust Issues (Part 2)

The European Commission announced two formal antitrust investigations into Apple’s App Store rules and Apple Pay platform yesterday. The App Store investigation will examine whether the company’s rules distort competition in markets where it is directly competing with other distributors (i.e. Apple Music or Apple Books). The Commission has the power to shut down tech services and charge U.S. tech firms up to 10% of their annual revenue.

More: Apple facilitated an estimated $519 billion in billings and sales on its App Store in 2019, according to a company-commissioned study released on Monday.

PG&E Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter

California utility company PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 felony counts of manslaughter, admitting criminal negligence in starting the deadliest fire in state history. The 2018 Camp Fire - which state investigators concluded was sparked by failing PG&E equipment - razed the town of Paradise, CA, claiming at least 84 lives and destroying nearly 19,000 structures. The company’s sentence is expected to be handed down later this week.

More: PG&E is one of just a few U.S. corporations ever to face homicide charges. Others include a 1978 case against Ford (who was acquitted) and the conviction of BP on charges relating to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Baby Steps

As a baby, Camden Hanson met all of his developmental milestones up until 18 months, when his parents noticed him struggling to take his first steps. Shortly after, doctors diagnosed Camden with progressive cerebellar atrophy. This condition affects the part of the brain responsible for voluntary movements, such as speech, balance, and coordination.

Now five years old, Camden took his first independent steps on Saturday in a video shared by his mother on Twitter. The young boy’s feat is the result of his dedicated work in more than three years of speech, physical, and occupational therapies.

The Whole Song & Dance

When Chelsey and Darin Mahlke were planning their wedding, they agreed on Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as the song for their first dance. However, when the newlyweds arrived at their reception, Chelsey was shocked to hear a different voice crooning for the couple.

Darin surprised his new bride by playing a recording of Judy Garland’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” sung by Chelsey’s late grandmother, Janiece, who was a fervent fan of The Wizard of Oz star. Janiece recorded herself singing the iconic song in her bedroom in 1947, when she was just 13 years old.

All You Need Is Love

In early March, mindfulness teacher Shelly Tygielski’s social media was full of anxious posts from her friends concerning job loss and food insecurity. Determined to promote positivity on her own Instagram account, Shelly saw an opportunity to turn the atmosphere of fear into an environment for compassion.

On March 14th, Shelly announced the launch of the Pandemic of Love project, an online program connecting those experiencing financial struggles with neighbors who are in a position to help. In less than three months, Shelly’s initiative has raised more than $13 million, linking more than 132,000 people with the support they need.

What is art?

Per Wikipedia, art is “the expression of imaginative, conceptual ideas, or technical skill, intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.”

And that describes Steve Tate’s work perfectly
Twenty years of experience with paints and applications gives his work a sophistication and elegance that is unparalleled. The end result? A relationship of thoughts, feelings, and emotion on canvas.

Pure and dynamic. Raw and from the heart.
An accidental experiment, tinged with a dash of inspiration, magic, humility, and romance - see what happens when it all comes together.