Current Events in April 2015

Stokke of Stamford, Conn., is recalling about 400 Trailz strollers.

The stroller handle can break while in use, posing a fall hazard to the infant.

There is 1 report of a broken handle in the U.S. and there are 8 reports of handles breaking in other countries. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Stokke Trailz strollers with the chassis and seat sold between November 2014, and December 2014. The strollers were sold in black, black melange, beige melange, deep blue, red and purple. The four-wheeled adjustable chassis is silver aluminum, and measures approximately 45 inches high by 32 inches long when fully extended.

The strollers have adjustable angle handlebars, a storage bin above the wheelbase and a seat with an adjustable cover. The Stokke logo is printed on the front of the seat and the “Trailz” model name is printed on a tracking label affixed to the front of the wheelbase assembly.

The strollers, manufactured in Norway, were sold at specialty baby boutiques nationwide and online at AlbeeBaby.com, buybuyBABY.com, Diapers.com, Nordstrom.com and Stokke.com for about $1,300.

Consumers should immediately stop using the stroller and contact Stokke to schedule a repair.

Consumers may contact Stokke toll-free at (877) 978-6553 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The last food-animal drug containing arsenic is on its way out. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today said it expects to withdraw approval for Histostat (nitarsone) by the end of 2015.

The drug is used for the prevention of blackhead disease in turkeys and chickens and is used primarily in turkeys, the agency said.

The FDA said it has received a letter of commitment from Zoetis Animal Health that, by the fall of 2015, the company will suspend the sale of the drug and formally request that the FDA withdraw its approval for the drug.

There has been increasing concern about arsenic in water and food in recent years. Tests last year found that mice exposed to low doses of arsenic in drinking water developed lung cancer.

Arsenic is in the environment both as a naturally occurring substance and as a contaminant. 

In 2011, Alpharma, then the sponsor of 3-Nitro (roxarsone), suspended marketing of that drug after an FDA study measured higher levels of inorganic arsenic were present in the livers of chickens fed roxarsone, compared to those of untreated control chickens.

The FDA formally withdrew the approvals for three other arsenic-based animal drugs: roxarsone, arsanilic acid and carbasone, in February 2014. FDA has since completed additional studies that affirm the findings of its 2011 roxarsone study.

While the withdrawal may be good news for humans, it could end badly for turkeys. Blackhead is a disease that occurs seasonally in certain parts of the country and is a cause of significant mortality in turkeys. Currently, nitarsone is the only animal drug approved for managing the disease in turkeys.

Turkey ranches will have until the end of the 2015 season to find alternatives to managing the disease in the future.

A federal judge in San Francisco has rejected AT&T's attempt to dismiss a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit charging that the company misled consumers by selling “unlimited” data plans and then throttling data speeds. Specifically, the judge ruled that AT&T cannot hide behind common-carrier exemptions to avoid the lawsuit, as Courthouse News Service reports.

The FTC first filed its suit late last October, alleging that AT&T misled consumers by promising “unlimited” data plans while engaging in data throttling to reduce their data speeds, sometimes by up to 90%.

As its name suggests, “data throttling” is when someone's network connection is deliberately slowed down, or throttled, sometimes to the point where streaming videos and other common online activities become impossible until the throttling stops.

Granted, it's true that sometimes, when networks are congested from heavy use, some level of throttling the heaviest users genuinely is necessary to keep the network running.

Sometimes legit

On a related note, that's why when hurricanes or other natural disasters damage infrastructure and knock out utilities over a wide area, cell phone and smartphone users are asked to use text messages rather than voice or video calls to contact friends and family: because texts use far less bandwidth and are less likely to overwhelm the system.

Should you ever have the misfortune to find yourself in a literal disaster area someday, don't be surprised to discover that everybody's wireless connections have been throttled so that streaming video and other data-heavy online activity is impossible for the duration.

But that's not what AT&T is allegedly doing. Long before the FTC filed its lawsuit, AT&T's critics have claimed that the company uses data throttling not for network management reasons but for revenue enhancement — and pointed to the company's own advertised pricing policies as evidence.

For example: in January 2014, AT&T launched its then-new “Sponsored Data” program, which it said would shift “mobile data costs from the consumer to the content provider.” (In other words, websites would have to pay in order to ensure AT&T mobile visitors could access them in a timely fashion, in complete opposition to proposed “net neutrality” rules.)

At the time, TechDirt called the program “an admission that data caps have nothing to do with congestion.”

"Share Value"

And last September, a month before the FTC filed its data-throttling suit against AT&T, the company ran another promotion called the “Mobile Share Value plan,” which offered to double the data limits of new subscribers who signed up for it. Data throttling isn't used on all AT&T mobile customers, only those who signed up for unlimited data plans before the company stopped offering them.

The FTC's suit alleges that in July 2011, AT&T first started throttling data for customers with unlimited data plans. In densely populated markets such as San Francisco and New York City, “unlimited” plans were actually given 2 gigabyte thresholds, with data speeds capped at only 128 kilobytes per second (kps). The FTC says that AT&T raised the threshold to 3 gigabytes in March 2012, but even with the increase, unlimited data-plan users are on slow networks with top speeds of 256 kps, whereas LTE customers have doubly fast connections at 512 kps.

AT&T's courtroom counter-argument disputed none of this. Instead, the company asked U.S. District Judge Edward Chen to dismiss the suit on the grounds that it fell beyond the FTC's jurisdiction, since AT&T is a “common carrier” according to the Communications Act, which exempts common carriers from FTC oversight (since that jurisdiction goes to the Federal Communications Commission).

Uncommon carrier

The FTC countered that, according to the Communications Act, AT&T does not qualify as a “common carrier” in this instance, because mobile data isn't considered common carrier (the way old-fashioned landline phone connections are). AT&T in turn argued that, since some of its services have common carrier status, all of its services should be considered that way for FTC purposes.

But Judge Chen disagreed with that argument. In the 23-page ruling he released, he noted that “Contrary to what AT&T argues, the common carrier exception applies only where the entity has the status of common carrier and is actually engaging in common carrier activity.”

Chen's ruling also states that:

The gravamen of the FTC's complaint is based on AT&T's failure to disclose its throttling practice to certain customers. More specifically, in Count I, the FTC asserts that AT&T's throttling program is unfair because AT&T 'entered into numerous mobile data contracts that were advertised as providing access to unlimited mobile data, and that do not provide that AT&T may modify, diminish, or impair the service of customers who use more than a specified amount of data for permissible activities.' Thus, the FTC is not arguing in the case at bar that the throttling program is unfair per se; instead it challenges AT&T's failure to disclose the practice to certain customers and afford them alternative options.

Since yesterday's ruling allows the FTC to continue its suit against AT&T, FTC Chairperson Edith Ramirez said that the agency intends to seek refunds on behalf of millions of AT&T's “unlimited” data customers.

For the first time since January 2014, the number of jobs created during a month has dipped below the 200,000 mark.

The ADP National Employment Report for March shows private sector employment was up by 189,000 jobs.

The report, produced by ADP in collaboration with Moody's Analytics, measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

"March job gains came in under 200,000 for the first time since January of last year," said Carlos Rodriguez, president and CEO of ADP. "The decline was centered in the largest companies -- those with 1000 or more employees."

Those firms added just 12,000 jobs, compared with 43,000 the previous month.

An inside look at hiring

Payrolls for businesses with 49 or fewer employees increased by 108,000 jobs in March, a gain of 5,000 from February. Employment among companies with 50-499 employees also rose by 5,000 -- to 62,000 jobs. Employment at large companies, those with 500 or more employees, was down sharply last month -- adding 19,000 jobs, versus 53,000 new jobs in February. Companies with 500-999 employees added 4,000 fewer jobs than they did the previous month -- just 7,000 jobs.

Goods-producing employment rose by only 5,000 jobs in March, after gaining 22,000 jobs in February. The construction industry added 17,000 jobs, compared with 28,000 a month earlier. Manufacturing, meanwhile, lost 1,000 jobs.

Service-providing employment rose by 184,000 jobs in March, a decline of 8,000 from February. Professional/business services contributed 40,000 jobs, 4,000 more than in February. Employment in trade/transportation/utilities grew by 25,000, a decline from February's 32,000. The 16,000 jobs added in financial activities was down by 3,000 from the previous month.

"Job growth took a step back in March,” said Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi. “The fallout from the collapse in oil prices and surge in value of the dollar is hitting the job market. Despite the slowdown, underlying job growth remains strong enough to reduce labor market slack."

Southwest Airlines faces $328,550 in fines for two alleged safety violations, including one involving a loss of cabin pressure during a flight from Boston to St. Louis.

The Federal Aviation Administration said that on May 13, 2013, a Southwest Boeing 737 lost cabin pressure, the cabin’s oxygen masks deployed and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Baltimore.

The FAA alleges that after the event, Southwest mechanics failed to complete a mandatory inspection to check whether the change in cabin pressure damaged the aircraft and to ensure used oxygen bottles were replaced.

The airline allegedly operated the plane on 123 flights before completing the inspection on June 3. 

Additionally, the airline allegedly operated the aircraft on May 14 and 15 flights with two of the four portable oxygen units unserviceable.

Further, the agency alleges the airline operated the aircraft on approximately 120 additional flights with a portable oxygen unit that did not comply with federal regulations. The FAA proposes a $265,800 civil penalty in this case.

In the second case, the FAA alleges Southwest failed to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations for accurately recording repairs in an aircraft’s logbook. 

On March 18, 2013, the pilot of a Boeing 717 operated by Southwest Airlines under the Air Tran Airways livery reported seeing ice and water coming from the jetliner’s galley vent. Over the next few weeks, maintenance technicians replaced several components in an attempt to correct the problem, which was traced to a faulty component in one of the aircraft’s air-conditioning systems. 

The FAA alleges that the airline failed to follow proper procedures in making the repairs and detailing them in the logbooks. And it said the aircraft was flown on several passenger-carrying flights before repairs were completed. The FAA proposes a $62,750 civil penalty in this case.

After posting a decline in February, consumers' outlook for the economy brightened during March.

The Conference Board says its Consumer Confidence Index rose two and a-half points last month and now stands at 101.3. The Expectations Index was up 6 points -- to 96.0 in March, while the Present Situation Index, dropped from 112.1 in February to 109.1.

The March increase, said Lynn Franco, director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board, “was driven by an improved short-term outlook for both employment and income prospects; consumers were less upbeat about business conditions.”

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions declined for the second consecutive month, suggesting that growth may have softened in the first quarter, she said, adding it “doesn’t appear to be gaining any significant momentum heading into the spring months.”

The consumers' assessment

The view of consumers of present-day conditions turned moderately less favorable for a second straight month. The percentage saying business conditions are “good” was unchanged at 26.7%, while those who see business conditions as “bad” increased from 16.7% to 19.4%.

Consumers were mixed in their perceptions of the job market. The proportion stating jobs are “plentiful” edged up from 20.3% to 20.6%, while those who think jobs are “hard to get” also edged up from 25.1% to 25.4%.

Consumers’ optimism about the short-term outlook, which had declined in February, rebounded last month. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months decreased slightly -- from 17.6% to 16.7%; however, those expecting business conditions to worsen also fell, from 8.9% to 8.0%.

The outlook for the labor market saw stronger gains. Those who expect there will be more jobs in the months ahead jumped from 13.8% to 15.5%, while those expecting fewer jobs declined from 14.8% to 13.5%.

The proportion of consumers who think their incomes will improve rose from 16.4% to 18.4%, while the proportion expecting to have less money in their pockets declined from 10.8 percent to 9.9 percent.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was March 19.

For some reason we tolerate our pets' snoring more than we do our spouse's, but it can be the cover-up for an array of issues. Like any problem, if it is something new, it might be worth a trip to the vet to check out. Snoring can have some underlying serious causes.

If your dog is snoring it is some kind of obstruction that is causing the problem. Digging in the dirt, rolling in the grass, even drinking water and eating can introduce foreign objects into your dog’s nasal passage, resulting in snoring. Extra mucus from a cold will also create snoring.

For the most part, snoring caused by nasal obstructions is temporary and should stop when the passage is cleared. There are some other common reasons for snoring:

Dental problems can be a factor. If your dog has bad teeth. It can lead to an abscess. It will go right through the nasal passages. If you don't have your dog’s teeth looked at, dental problems can be a source of infection that goes through your dog’s whole body. Infections can be a host for another set of problems.

Extra pounds

Is your dog carrying a little extra weight? If so, that can be a factor that is causing the snoring. Excess tissue in the throat will cause the obstruction that blocks the airways. As your dog breathes in and out, obesity makes the trachea rings slam shut.

Or it could be a fungus that you may not even be aware of but your dog sure is, such as mold found in hay, grass clippings and similar environments. Left untreated, this fungal disease can cause discomfort, loss of appetite and serious health problems.

Any type of upper respiratory problem can cause a blockage, including a temporary inflammation in the nose from a cold or seasonal allergies.

You may have just picked a breed that has this issue through genetics. Because of genetics some breeds may actually have to have a surgery to open up their nasal passages because they are almost completely shut, like a pug or Boston terrier. Brachycephalic breeds -- the breeds with very short noses, such as English/French bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs -- have a natural tendency to snore.  

Is your dog breathing secondhand smoke? Smoke can irritate the nasal passages and make it difficult to breathe. Smoke away from the dog or better yet quit. You both will be healthier.

How can you help your dog breathe more easily? Try giving your dog a pillow. It will elevate the head.

A round bed will encourage a different sleeping position.  The round bed will encourage a curled position that allows air passages to expand.

A humidifier can help increase the moisture in the air and help, so the nasal passages won't be so dry.

If your dog is snoring it most likely isn't getting a restful sleep and if it isn't getting good sleep that means you probably aren't either. If the problem persists after trying to change up the sleep environment go back to the vet and see if it is an allergy or if possibly surgery is needed.

Mortgage applications rose for a fourth consecutive time last week.

Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey shop applications jumped 4.6% during the week ending March 27, with the Refinance Index up 4 percent from the previous week.

“There was a broad based increase in mortgage applications last week relative to the week prior,” said Lynn Fisher, MBA’s vice president of research and economics. “The increase in purchase volume was led by a nearly 6% increase in both conventional and government markets, perhaps signaling that households are finally ready to begin the home-buying season.”

The refinance share of mortgage activity fell to 60% of total applications from 61% the previous week, while the adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity came in at 5.6% of total applications.

The FHA share dropped to 12.8% from 13.3%, the VA share of total applications rose to 10.5% from 10.1% and the USDA share was unchanged at 0.8%.

Contract interest rates

• The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) with conforming loan balances ($417,000 or less) dipped to 3.89% from 3.90%, with points decreasing to 0.36 from 0.37 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 30-year FRMs with jumbo loan balances (greater than $417,000) inched up 1 basis point -- from 3.90% to 3.90%, with points increasing to 0.34 from 0.25 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 30-year FRMs backed by the FHA rose to 3.73% from 3.71%, with points decreasing to 0.13 from 0.21 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate remained unchanged from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 15-year FRMs dipped 1 basis point to 3.21%, with points increasing to 0.29 from 0.28 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate remained unchanged from last week.
• The average contract interest rate for 5/1 ARMs dropped to 2.93% from 2.97%, with points increasing to 0.41 from 0.38 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The survey covers over 75% of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications.  

Hannaford Supermarkets is recalling Nature's Place Roasted Unsalted Mixed Nuts and Nature's Place Cranberry Mix.

The products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.

The mixed nut products are in 9-oz and 9.5-oz packages, carrying item numbers 725439 94507 and 725439 94563.

Customers should discard the recalled products and take the sales slip to any store to receive a full refund.