Current Events in May 2018

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    U.S. senators express concern over the T-Mobile/Sprint merger

    Democratic lawmakers say the deal could drive up prices for consumers

    A group of Democratic lawmakers -- led by Senators Amy Kloubach and Elizabeth Warren --  recently expressed their concern over the potential merger between T-Mobile and Sprint.

    Currently touted as the number three and number four cell phone providers in the country, the senators’ main concern involved the effect a deal would have on consumers nationwide, namely higher costs for services.

    “T-Mobile and Sprint have led the way in offering wireless products and service options that are more appealing to lower-income consumers, including no contract plans, prepaid and no credit check plans, and unlimited, text, voice, and data plans,” the senators wrote.

    The lawmakers sent a letter to the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to express their thoughts on the areas of the merger they considered problematic.

    “As more than three-quarters of American adults now own smartphones, including many who depend on these devices for their primary connection to the internet, an anticompetitive acquisition in the wireless market could result in higher prices for American consumers or force some people to forego their internet connection altogether,” the letter noted.

    The merger takes shape

    As reported in late April, T-Mobile made a formal bid to acquire Sprint for an all-stock deal of $26 billion. Initial news of the merger sparked debates in the political sector, as the U.S. Justice Department was tasked with deciding whether it would allow the companies to join forces -- reducing the number of cell phone providers from four to three -- or block the deal.

    T-Mobile stands behind its decision to combine forces with Sprint, promising consumers a 5G network capable of competing with the likes of Verizon and AT&T.

    John Legere, T-Mobile’s CEO and the proposed head of the merged companies, said in a recent conference call that adding Sprint to his company’s network will only help to bring customers “the highest capacity network in U.S. history.”

    Legere is also confident that teaming up with Sprint will allow the two companies to achieve things for their customers that would be impossible on their own. He calls the combination a “fierce competitor” that will produce lower prices for consumers.

    Will the past predict the future?

    Mergers like the one proposed by T-Mobile and Sprint have been presented before the Justice Department in recent years, but they almost never come to fruition. In fact, the companies tried to merge once before in 2014, but their plans were thwarted after regulatory concerns were voiced by the Obama administration.

    Regulators believed consumers benefited from having four major players in the arena, and since the wireless market could support them all, they remained as separate entities.

    This time around, the senators are hoping for a similar outcome. The group sent the letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Makan Delrahim, the Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division. The lawmakers were certain to note the hesitation from their predecessors in forging ahead with the merger, as less competition will more than likely lead to higher prices for consumers, as well as a decline in innovation.

    “To date, T-Mobile and Sprint have exerted competitive pressures on their larger rivals in the wireless telecommunications industry, helping drive down prices, eliminating harmful contract requirements, and making more expansive and consumer-friendly data platforms the norm,” the senators wrote.

    “The wireless business is already very concentrated - there were six national companies as recently as 2003 - and a deal that would further consolidate power is troubling,” Senator Elizabeth Warren noted in a New York Times op-ed. “Having fewer competitors emboldens businesses to raise prices and force consumers into long-term service contracts because they know people don’t have many options.”

    A group of Democratic lawmakers -- led by Senators Amy Kloubach and Elizabeth Warren --  recently expressed their concern over the potential merger between...

    Lyme disease cases are on the rise, CDC warns

    Tick-borne diseases may be ten times more common than previously thought

    The bestselling novelist Amy Tan recalls seeing a bright red rash on her shin in 1999 and assuming it was a spider bite. Soon, she came down with flu-like symptoms, and in the years since her health worsened.

    By the time a doctor finally diagnosed Tan with Lyme disease, the infection had reached her brain. She had been suffering hallucinations, seizures, and brain lesions after being misdiagnosed by doctors for four years. Tan describes the devastating health effects she says were traced to the disease in a blog post on her website.

    “Like many chronic Lyme disease patients, I was launched into a medical maze, searching for answers as things worsened,” Tan writes.

    It’s unclear how common cases like Tan’s are, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently announced that Lyme disease may be ten times more common than previously thought.

    Tick-borne diseases are steadily rising

    As tick season unofficially kicks off this year, the CDC and other experts warn that Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses pose serious risks, particularly for people in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and upper Midwest. But many patients and doctors have difficulty detecting the disease after infection.

    “Each year, more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported nationwide, while studies suggest the actual number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease is more likely about 300,000,” the CDC announced this weekend.

    Tick-borne diseases have been "steadily going up every year ... as the diseases expand to new areas around the country," Lyle Peterson of the CDC told reporters in a recent conference call.

    The agency has been warning the public to watch out for ticks and using photographs of a poppy seed muffin with ticks hiding on top to get its point across.

    In addition to the known risky areas in humid parts of the United States, cases may also be appearing on the West Coast and other areas that were thought to be lower risk. Regardless of location, the CDC says that most people do not take steps to prevent Lyme disease.

    Difficult to diagnose

    The CDC is telling people to avoid areas with high grass or leaf litter, to walk in the center of the trail when hiking and to be vigilant about bug spray. Pets are also vulnerable to Lyme disease and should receive prompt treatment for any tick bites.

    The American Lyme Disease Foundation says that clinicians can have difficulty correctly diagnosing patients with Lyme disease “due to its diverse manifestations and the limitations of currently available serological (blood) tests.” The tests that are available to doctors are not always accurate, they add.

    Lyme disease typically begins with a rash and fever-like symptoms. If left untreated, victims can experience neurological symptoms as the infection spreads to their brain. The disease can be managed with antibiotics, but going too long without treatment may leave sufferers with lifelong health issues.

    When Tan initially raised concerns with her doctors that her symptoms may be consistent with Lyme disease, she says that they had brushed her off. It was her own sleuthing that led her to what she describes as a “Lyme-literate physician” in San Francisco who diagnosed her with late-stage neurological Lyme disease.

    He put her on a $500 monthly antibiotic treatment that was not covered by insurance. Slowly but surely, she writes, the “fog” was lifted. After two years, she finally felt healthy again.

    The importance of being tested

    Still, Tan says the treatment has only been able to manage the disease, not cure it. She no longer drives for fear of suffering a seizure behind the wheel and still depends on antibiotics to control the symptoms. Fearing that she may develop a resistance to the antibiotics, she has renovated her house to make it handicap-accessible.

    “If you've read this and think you may have Lyme disease, get tested by a Lyme literate physician, one who does not tell you the disease is rare,” Tan writes.

    “If you know someone with Lyme disease, be compassionate and patient.  And if you are in the throes of the disease and feel like things will never get better,  take hope from me.“

    The bestselling novelist Amy Tan recalls seeing a bright red rash on her shin in 1999 and assuming it was a spider bite. Soon, she came down with flu-like...

    Häagen-Dazs offers free ice cream in effort to save bees

    The company wants to bring awareness to the struggling insects

    Not many consumers would draw a connection between bees and ice cream, but Häagen-Dazs is looking to change that today with a new promotion.

    On Tuesday, May 8 -- between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. -- the company is offering consumers a free ice cream cone at any of its store locations in the U.S. In a post on its website, it says that the move is meant to bring awareness to the plight of honey bees.

    "We dedicated this Free Cone Day to our buzziest workers -- the honey bees. In recent years, the honey bee population has been disappearing at an alarming rate, affecting pollination and putting our food system at risk," the company said.

    Bee colonies are disappearing

    The disappearance that the company mentions refers to the increasing rates of colony collapse disorder (CCD) -- a phenomenon where worker bees abandon a colony with a living queen. 

    Researchers had previously tied CCD to pesticide use, though similar theories have also tied it to parasites, viruses, and other pests.

    As it mentions on its website, Häagen-Dazs has a vested interest in maintaining honey bee populations because it uses them to create many of its ice cream flavors. The company even went so far as to publish a video entitled "The Extraordinary Honey Bee," which is featured below.

    Not many consumers would draw a connection between bees and ice cream, but Häagen-Dazs is looking to change that today with a new promotion.On Tuesday,...

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      NYSE owner reportedly working on Bitcoin trading platform

      The potential platform would allow big investors to buy and hold Bitcoin

      Intercontinental Exchange (or ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, is considering launching an online Bitcoin trading platform, according to a report by the New York Times.

      The Times cited emails and documents it obtained as well as conversations with four people with knowledge of the confidential project who asked to remain anonymous. If the platform does launch, it would "allow large investors to buy and hold Bitcoin."

      The project is still in development and could end up being aborted due to concerns over Bitcoin’s negative reputation in the finance industry, the report noted. The Times said an ICE spokesperson would not comment on the potential trading platform.

      The move would make ICE the latest Wall Street giant to enter the crypto market. Earlier this month, Goldman Sachs said it will open its own Bitcoin trading operation. In April, the CEO of Nasdaq revealed that the exchange would be open to trading cryptocurrencies in a regulated environment. Other trading firms, including Chicago’s DRW and Jump Trading, have also been trading cryptocurrency.

      Swap contract

      The new operation, “would provide more direct access to Bitcoin by putting the actual tokens in the customer’s account at the end of the trade,” the report explains. The process would be carried out through swaps that deliver Bitcoin to a client’s account.

      “The swap contract is more complicated than an immediate trade of dollars for Bitcoin, even if the end result is still ownership of a certain amount of Bitcoin,” the report said. “But a swap contract allows the trading to come under the regulation of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and to operate clearly under existing laws — something today’s Bitcoin exchanges have struggled to do.”

      If the effort comes to fruition, it could make Bitcoin available to a larger customer base and bring more institutional investors into the cryptocurrency space.

      Intercontinental Exchange (or ICE), the owner of the New York Stock Exchange, is considering launching an online Bitcoin trading platform, according to a r...

      One in five drivers are interested in buying an electric car as their next vehicle

      A new survey finds consumer interest in electric vehicles is on the rise

      More Americans are warming up to the idea of buying an electric vehicle.

      Twenty-percent of consumers say their next vehicle will be an electric car, according to a recent survey by AAA. When the organization first posed the question in 2017, just 15 percent of drivers said the same.

      Americans are becoming more likely to consider buying an electric car because concerns about range anxiety -- or the fear of running out of electricity while driving -- are diminishing.

      Range anxiety decreasing

      Last year, a majority of participants surveyed (68 percent) said range anxiety would prevent them from buying an electric car. This year, the number of Americans citing range anxiety as a concern dropped to 58 percent overall (and 48 percent among millennials).

      "Range anxiety is less of a concern than it has been in the past," said Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering for AAA, the organization once known as the American Automobile Association.  

      Lower-than-average ownership costs, increased driving ranges, and the latest advanced safety features are also driving more consumers to switch to an electric vehicle, according to AAA. However, the main reason that Americans buy electric vehicles is concern for the environment.

      Rising gas prices could also be behind the trend, AAA noted.

      "As popularity for electric vehicles grows, automakers will expand the electric vehicle portfolio even more, offering consumers a wide variety of choices," AAA said in a statement. "This, combined with rising gas prices, easing of range anxiety and the lower long-term costs of ownership, leads AAA to believe the future for electric vehicles is fertile and will continue to grow."

      Key findings

      Other key takeaways from the survey include:

      • Women (90 percent) are more likely to buy an electric vehicle out of concern for the environment over men (68 percent).

      • Three in 10 adults (31 percent) say they are likely to buy a hybrid vehicle the next time they are in the market for a new or used vehicle. This level of interest is unchanged from 2017.

      • Reliability and fuel economy/range are the most important criteria for consumers when choosing which hybrid or electric vehicle to buy.

      • Other considerations for buying an electric vehicle include crash rating (77 percent), cost (71 percent), vehicle performance (69 percent) advanced safety technology such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance (60 percent).

      More Americans are warming up to the idea of buying an electric vehicle. Twenty-percent of consumers say their next vehicle will be an electric car, ac...

      JetBlue flight makes emergency landing due to cracked cockpit window

      The pilot told passengers that this sort of thing ‘isn’t uncommon’

      A JetBlue flight destined for Tampa, Florida made an emergency landing on Sunday due to a damaged window.

      An outer layer of the cockpit windscreen was damaged, and flight 1052 was diverted to Fort Lauderdale out of “an abundance of caution,” according to JetBlue Corporate Communications.

      “On May 6, JetBlue flight 1052 from San Juan to Tampa diverted to Fort Lauderdale in an abundance of caution following a report of damage to one of the outer layers of the cockpit windscreen. The flight landed safely at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time. Customers were accommodated on another aircraft,” the airline said in a statement.

      Not uncommon

      The cabin did not lose pressurization during the incident, and no passengers were injured. A reporter on board the flight said the pilot informed passengers that this sort of incident “isn’t uncommon”.

      "It happens I won't say frequently, but I've actually had this happen before," a flight attendant said in a video recorded by passenger Michael Paluska, a reporter for a local ABC affiliate. "There's multiple, multiple layers in the windscreen, and it's the outer layer that shattered."

      "We were not in any grave danger,” the flight attendant added.

      The incident comes about three weeks after a Southwest flight experienced mid-air engine failure, resulting in a passenger fatality. The passenger, Jennifer Riordan, was partially sucked out a window that had been knocked out by debris and was later pronounced dead from blunt impact trauma.

      Last week, a Southwest flight bound for Newark also made an unplanned landing in Cleveland because of a broken window. The airline said the cabin maintained pressurization throughout and that the plane landed “uneventfully.”

      A JetBlue flight destined for Tampa, Florida made an emergency landing on Sunday due to a damaged window.An outer layer of the cockpit windscreen was d...

      When listing a home for sale, timing is everything

      Research shows homes listed on Wednesday and Thursday do particularly well

      It's a seller's market in many cities, but people trying to sell their homes for the most money may still benefit from some inside information.

      Redfin, a national real estate broker, has released a study showing that homes that go on the market on a Wednesday sell for the most money while those listed on Thursday sell the fastest.

      Whatever you do, don't list your home on a Sunday. The Redfin study of 100,000 homes that sold in 2017 found homes hitting the market on the first day of the week performed the worst.

      The researchers found that homes becoming available on Wednesday ended up selling for $2,023 more than homes that listed on Sunday. Homes going up for sale on Thursday went under contract an averageof  five days faster than Sunday-listed homes.

      In fact, Thursday-listed homes were more likely to sell in 90 to 180 days than any other day of the week.

      The reason isn't clear

      Why Wednesday and Thursday outperform other days in the real estate market is an open question. The experts at Redfin tend to believe it has to do with manipulating an already hyper-competitive market among buyers.

      Weekends are the prime days for looking at houses, so property that comes on the market at midweek is fresh enough to spark curiosity but old enough to get on buyers' list of homes to see.

      Midweek is a sweet spot for sellers who want to stoke buyers' sense of urgency and competition. After all, the number of available homes to choose from is near historic lows.

      "Serious buyers typically start making their weekend house-hunting plans late in the work week," said Karla Kirkpatrick-Adams, a Redfin agent in Denver. "You want your home to be one of the fresh listings buyers see pop up as they decide which homes they should see over the weekend.”

      Timing is important

      Denver happens to be one of the nation's most competitive housing markets. Kirkpatrick-Adams says sellers expect buyers to make their weekend plans to attend showings at midweek, so timing is everything.

      Redfin research shows listings get five times more online views the day they hit the market than any time afterward.

      It's also important to have the property priced realistically. Redfin says a home whose price is too high may get crossed off a buyer's list, and they may never come back. On the other hand, well-priced homes tend to get multiple offers in this housing market, sometimes going for more than the list price.

      It's a seller's market in many cities, but people trying to sell their homes for the most money may still benefit from some inside information.Redfin,...

      Bosch issues recall for Ford and Tesla vehicles over power steering issue

      Exposure to the elements can cause corrosion, which can lead to loss of power steering while driving

      Robert Bosch Automotive Steering has issued a safety recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to a problem with the aluminum mounting bolts used in its Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems.

      The company says that the bolts may corrode when it exposed to certain outdoor elements, such as road salt. This corrosion may cause the bolts to fracture and the steering deal to detach, which may cause drivers to lose power steering and crash.

      The company submitted a report to allow recalls to move forward based on the decisions of Ford and Tesla.

      What to do

      Bosch says it is working with affected manufacturers and dealers to replace the defective bolts and add a corrosion-preventive sealer, free of charge. 

      Ford owners can contact the automaker's customer service line for more information at 1-866-436-7332; Tesla owners can contact their respective customer service line at 1-877-798-3752.

      Additionally, drivers may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for more information at its hotline or website by dialing 1-888-327-4236 or by visiting www.safercar.gov. 

      Robert Bosch Automotive Steering has issued a safety recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to a problem with the aluminu...

      Kumho Tire USA recalls products due to tire belt issues

      In severe conditions, the tire belt can separate and increase the risk of a crash

      Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc. has recalled nearly 1,800 units of its Solus KH16 tires (size P225/65R17).

      The company says that the tire belts on affected products may separate under severe conditions and increase the risk of a crash. 

      In its recall notice, Kumho says it will notifiy owners and dealers of the issue so that all affected tires can be replaced free of charge. 

      Customers can contact the company's customer service line at 1-800-424-9153.

      For more information, owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at its hotline or website by dialing 1-888-327-4236 or by visiting www.safercar.gov. 

      Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc. has recalled nearly 1,800 units of its Solus KH16 tires (size P225/65R17).The company says that the tire belts on affected prod...

      GM recalls 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles over improperly tempered glass

      If broken, the glass could fragment into large pieces and cause injury

      General Motors has issued a recall for nearly 400 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles because the front driver and passenger door windows may not be properly tempered. 

      The automaker warns that the improperly tempered glass could potentially break into larger pieces if the windows are broken, increasing the risk of injury to drivers and passengers. 

      What to do

      GM has stated that it will notify owners and dealers of issue so that the glass in affected vehicles can be replaced free of charge. The company expects the recall to officially begin on May 11.

      Owners can contact Chevrolet customer service for more information at 1-800-222-1020. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can also be reached at its hotline by dialing 1-888-327-4236.

      General Motors has issued a recall for nearly 400 2018 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles because the front driver and passenger door windows may not be properly t...

      Tesla reportedly shutting out un-vetted contractors

      CEO Elon Musk says outsiders are performing work that company employees should be doing

      Tesla automobiles are arguably among the best in their class, even if they are usually the most expensive.

      Customer satisfaction with the Tesla brand has always been high, ever since the Model S made its debut. But recently, there have been rumblings of discord in the company, that remains a Wall Street darling, mainly because of its CEO, Elon Musk.

      Following Musk's bizarre performance last week on the company's first quarter earnings conference call, which sent Tesla’s stock price plunging, the CEO appears to be launching a purge of contractors, who are supplementing the work of Tesla employees.

      Technology site Electrek has published what it says is a company email sent to staff that it obtained weeks ago. In the message, Musk tells employees that the company will bar contractors and consultants from company buildings, starting today, unless they have at least one Tesla employee vouching for the quality of their work.

      The email

      According to the email, Musk details his complaint with contractors this way:

      “I have been disappointed to discover how many contractor companies are interwoven throughout Tesla. Often, it is like a Russian nesting doll of contractor, subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, etc. before you finally find someone doing actual work."

      "This means a lot of middle-managers [are] adding cost but not doing anything obviously useful. Also, many contracts are essentially open time & materials, not fixed price and duration, which creates an incentive to turn molehills into mountains, as they never want to end the money train.”

      Musk appears to suggest that the company's recent production problems could be tied to farming out work that should be performed by company employees.

      Last month, Tesla announced it was slowing production of its Model 3, a small electric sedan with a starting price tag of $36,000. But the company has had issues meeting the demand.

      Within a week of unveiling the Model 3, Tesla reported receiving 325,000 reservations for the car, with 1,800 a day coming in. Consumers placing orders were required to come up with a $1,000 deposit. The first Model 3 was produced in July 2017 and by the end of that year, the company had delivered fewer than 2,000 units.

      Tired of waiting

      “I placed a $1,000 deposit on a Tesla Model 3 in 2017,” Dennis, of Santa Barbara, Calif., posted at ConsumerAffairs last month. “In February of 2018, I cancelled the deposit online. When I received nothing, I emailed Tesla and have traded emails for the last month. The agent is sympathetic, says it will take a while, but still no refund after a month.”

      On last week's conference call, a clearly irritated Musk took exception to some analysts' probing questions about the company's performance, at one point cutting off what he called “boneheaded and boring questions,” and telling investors not to buy the company's stock if they “don't have the stomach for volatility.”

      Tesla automobiles are arguably among the best in their class, even if they are usually the most expensive.Customer satisfaction with the Tesla brand ha...

      WhatsApp message bombs cause apps to crash and Android devices to shut down

      Here are the two messages that users say are causing problems

      A message bomb is circulating on WhatsApp that can cause the Android app or even an entire Android device to crash, according to reports. The bug occurs when a specific malicious message is sent to a device.

      “As with any message bomb, it involves sending and receiving a specially crafted message with hidden symbols in between spaces. Tapping on a portion of the text will basically make the app 'expand' the hidden symbols, potentially overloading the app and even the OS," SlashGear explains.

      So far, at least two variations of the message bomb have been identified. In one version, a black dot warns recipients of what will happen if they tap on it. Another message says, “This is very interesting” with an emoji of a laughing face.

      Hidden symbols

      Although seemingly brief, the messages contain tens of thousands of invisible "left-to-right" and "right-to-left" control characters that can overload WhatsApp, causing the app to freeze up or the whole mobile operating system to go down.

      Users have reported that the text bomb is capable of affecting both the Android and iOS versions of WhatsApp, but so far only Android phones have been completely taken down by the bug. iPhone’s operating systems appear less likely to fall victim to the disruptive bug, but iPhone users have reported that their app has crashed.

      Facebook, WhatsApp’s parent company, hasn’t issued a statement on the bug. That statement, as well as a solution to the message bombs, is likely to come in the next few days. In the meantime, consumers should be sure not to open any suspicious messages they receive.

      A message bomb is circulating on WhatsApp that can cause the Android app or even an entire Android device to crash, according to reports. The bug occurs wh...

      New calorie-posting rules take effect at chain restaurants and other food providers

      Calorie and other dietary information must be posted on menus and menu boards

      Say good-bye to blissful ignorance. From now on, when you order a slice of pizza at a chain restaurant, you're going to know exactly how many calories you're consuming.

      One of the last remaining rules from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect Monday, requiring chain restaurants with at least 20 stores to list the calories in each item on the menu and menu board. Some fast food restaurants, such as McDonald's and Subway, have been doing it for years.

      In addition, restaurants will be required to provide additional nutritional information, including fat and sodium content. The rule is one of the few remaining Obama era regulations the Trump administration has allowed to take effect.

      The regulation is aimed at reducing rising obesity levels in the U.S. Policymakers hope that if consumers are armed with information about the food they eat, they will make healthier choices. However, the jury is still out on that.

      Early study

      In 2015, health researchers at Arizona State University conducted a study of consumer responses to menu information at restaurants that had begun to post calorie counts. They wanted to determine how consumers used the information and whether it influenced their food choices.

      What the researchers found was that the more affluent and educated a consumer is, the more likely they are to notice and use the calorie data.

      Overall, they found that approximately 60 percent of participants in their study noticed the calorie menu labels, but only 16 percent reported using the labels to determine food and beverage choices. Customers with higher incomes were twice as likely to notice the calorie labels and three times more likely to use them.

      The new disclosure rules actually extend far beyond restaurants. They also apply to supermarkets that sell prepared food, concession stands at movie theaters, and even vending machines.

      Despite the Arizona State University findings from three years ago, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner (FDA) Scott Gottlieb is optimistic that the new rules will make a difference.

      “We know that many Americans both want and use nutritional information on food package labels to make decisions about what to eat to help improve their health,” Gottlieb said in a statement. “But consumers can’t always access similar information at their favorite restaurant chains.”

      Gottlieb said consumers currently eat and drink about one-third of their calories away from home. At the same time, he notes the rates of child and adult obesity in the U.S. are at historic highs.

      “Research, including a recent RAND Corporation study, suggests that people choose menu items with fewer calories when they have access to calorie information and that such information does not affect their satisfaction with the choice they make or their ratings of the restaurant,” Gottlieb said.

      How many calories do you need?

      Government health officials say the average man needs 2,500 calories per day to maintain their weight; the average woman needs 2,000 calories.

      Using McDonald's Calorie Counter, consumers can limit their calorie intake to 440 calories by ordering an Egg McMuffin (300), a small orange juice (140), and black coffee.

      On the other hand, a double quarter-pounder with cheese (740), large fries (570) and a 32 oz. Vanilla triple-thick shake (1,100) literally tips the scales at 2,410 calories.

      Say good-bye to blissful ignorance. From now on, when you order a slice of pizza at a chain restaurant, you're going to know exactly how many calories you'...

      ZTE has requested an end to its ban on purchasing U.S. technology

      The company has ‘formally submitted’ a request to suspend the seven-year ban

      Chinese electronics maker ZTE said it has submitted a formal request to the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) asking it for a reprieve of the order preventing it from doing business with U.S. technology exporters.

      The filing comes roughly a month after the Commerce Department imposed a seven-year export ban on the company after finding that it lied to American officials about reproaching employees who violated U.S. sanctions on North Korea and Iran. The company pleaded guilty to the charges in March last year and was hit with $1.2 billion in fines.

      ZTE previously said that the technology purchase ban threatens its existence and is likely to hurt many U.S. companies.

      “The Denial Order will not only severely impact the survival and development of ZTE, but will also cause damages to all partners of ZTE including a large number of U.S. companies,” ZTE said in a statement last month.

      Stay of the Denial Order

      The company’s filing to the Shenzhen stock exchange on Sunday did not give details of its request, but it did say that it had provided supplemental material at the BIS's request.

      ZTE Chairman Yin Yimin previously called the export ban “unfair and unacceptable” since the company had self-reported the settlement violations to Washington. The company implied that its lack of disciplinary action toward the 35 employees in question wasn’t an intentional act of defiance.

      The company added that, if necessary, it could “take judicial measures to protect the legal rights and interests of our company, our employees and our shareholders.” No litigation against the U.S. has been started at this point.

      The export ban came amid growing trade tensions between the U.S. and China which centered on technology-related intellectual property.

      Chinese electronics maker ZTE said it has submitted a formal request to the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) asking it for a...

      California proposal may require new homes to come with solar panels

      The decision would be a huge investment in clean energy, but critics say home prices would skyrocket

      Residents in California could be seeing a lot more homes installed with solar panels within the next couple of years.

      The Orange County Register reports that a vote on Wednesday by the California Energy Commission may make it mandatory for all new homes to come standard with the panels starting in 2020. The decision would be in line with the state’s lofty goals for reducing reliance on natural gas, increasing battery storage, and promoting clean energy.

      If passed, the new mandate would apply to all new houses, condos, and apartment buildings that are up to three stories tall and do not meet exception requirements, such as being too shaded by trees or too small for the panels to be installed. Nevertheless, Bob Raymer -- technical director for the California Building Association -- says that the move would be unprecedented.

      “California is about to take a quantum leap in energy standards. No other state in the nation mandates solar, and we are about to take that leap,” he said.

      Pulling back from zero net energy

      While the new mandate would vastly increase solar energy utilization in California, critics point out that it actually falls short of net zero energy goals that were proposed more than a decade ago.

      Under that plan, regulators and clean energy advocates had hoped that all new homes would eventually be able to produce enough solar energy to offset any use of electricity or natural gas over the course of a whole year. However, state officials say that this goal isn’t realistic right now because many homes still depend on the state energy grid to power their homes at night.

      “Zero net energy isn’t enough. If we pursue (zero net energy) as a comprehensive policy, we’d be making investments that would be somewhat out of touch with our long-term goals,” said state energy commissioner Andrew McAllister.

      Driving up home costs

      While the proposal would certainly be a boon to the solar energy industry, home builders say that installing solar panels on every new home could drive up costs dramatically.

      C.R. Herro, vice president of environmental affairs for Meritage Homes, estimates that the new energy standards would add between $25,000 and $30,000 to construction costs compared to rates under the 2006 building code.

      He goes on to say that $14,000 - $16,000 of that cost is related to solar energy implementation and $10,000 - $15,000 comes from increased insulation and more efficient windows, appliances, lighting, and heating. However, he concedes that the upgrades would save homeowners $50,000 - $60,000 in operating costs over 25 years.

      Pushing homes out of reach?

      Although consumers would financially benefit in the long run, many housing experts say that the increased initial cost may push already expensive homes in California even further out of reach. Bill Watt – home builder, designer, and former president of the Orange County Building Industry Association – suggests that regulators focus on price point before implementing sweeping changes.

      “We’re not building enough housing already. Why not just pause for a little while, focus on the affordability and housing issues, then circle back?” he asks.

      Not surprisingly, this line of thinking isn’t at all in line with environmentalists. “The technology is developing so fast, we think the timeline was a bit slow,” said Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California.

      Residents in California could be seeing a lot more homes installed with solar panels within the next couple of years.The Orange County Register reports...

      United Airlines apologizes for ’concerning behavior’ from flight attendant

      A passenger claims the employee was 'drunk or stoned'

      United Airlines has once again apologized for an in-flight incident – this time involving a flight attendant, described by at least one passenger as clearly “drunk or stoned.”

      “We are aware of a concerning incident involving a flight attendant serving on our regional service provider Trans States Airlines flight 4689,” United said in a statement released to the media. “As a gesture of goodwill, we have compensated all customers aboard the flight and we apologize for any inconvenience or distress this may have caused.”

      As the airline noted, the incident did not occur aboard a United-branded flight, but rather on its regional carrier, on a flight last last week from Denver to Williston, North Dakota. The story broke after one passenger posted her complaint about the flight attendant on Twitter – a Tweet that has since been deleted.

      'Threatened lives'

      According to KPRC-TV in Houston, which screen-grabbed the Tweet before it was taken down, the passenger complained that the flight attendant's behavior “threatened the lives” of those on board. She said she went to the cockpit to report the behavior and that police were waiting when the plane landed.

      It has been a rough 13 months for United's public relations personnel. In April 2017, a physician aboard a United flight traveling from Detroit to Louisville was dragged off the plane by police after he refused to give up his seat, an incident captured in numerous videos that went viral.

      Since then, the airline has been involved in a number of unfortunate incidents involving pets traveling in both the cabins and cargo holds of United flights. Most recently, a French bulldog puppy died after a flight attendant reportedly required the owner to place the dog's carrier in an overhead bin, rather than leave it under the seat.

      Earlier this month, United announced a new set of policies on transporting pets aimed at promoting their well-being while traveling. In consultation with Humane America, United is banning certain breeds of dogs and cats from the cargo hold, although many smaller animals may still be allowed in the aircraft cabin, as long as their carriers fit under the seat.

      United Airlines has once again apologized for an in-flight incident – this time involving a flight attendant, described by at least one passenger as clearl...

      Apple acknowledges microphone issue affecting some iPhone 7 models

      The problem affects devices running iOS 11.3 or later

      Apple has acknowledged that some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices running the latest iOS 11.3 software may have microphone issues.

      In a leaked internal document obtained by MacRumors, Apple warns Authorized Service Providers that iOS 11.3 and iOS 11.3.1 have rendered some phones unable to use their microphones during phone calls, preventing users from being heard during calls or FaceTime video chats.

      Affected customers may experience a grayed-out speaker button during calls, the memo said.

      Service providers have been told to ask users to disconnect any Bluetooth headset or other audio accessory connected to their devices to see if that fixes the issue. If the issue persists, service providers should run an audio diagnostic on the device.

      Initiating a repair

      “Affected devices will display a ‘device could not detect dock’ or ‘accessory not supported’ alert in the diagnostic panel, in which case the service provider can initiate a repair for the iPhone,” MacRumors said.

      The memo added that in the event an affected iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus is out of warranty, the service provider can request an exception for this issue. However, it is not clear if the repair will be free.

      There have been several documented cases of Apple users complaining about microphone problems after downloading iOS 11.3 or later, but the issue isn’t widespread. A source told AppleInsider that it's an "extremely rare problem, with a need for repair being rarer still."

      If consumers do encounter this issue, they can schedule specific appointments with Apple Authorized Service Providers via the Contact Apple Support page by following these categories: iPhone > Repairs & Physical Damage > Unable to Hear Through Receiver or Speakers > Built-in Speaker > Bring In For Repair.

      Apple has acknowledged that some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices running the latest iOS 11.3 software may have microphone issues. In a leaked intern...

      Maya Distribution, LLC recalls Dragon Kratom powders

      The products may be contaminated with salmonella

      Maya Distribution, LLC -- based in South Salt Lake City, Utah -- has issued a voluntary recall of its Dragon Kratom labeled bottles and sealed packages of encapsulated and raw powder product. The company says these kratom products may have been contaminated with salmonella.

      Salmonella is an organism that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. However, symptoms such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract infections can develop in more serious cases; the condition can even be fatal to young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems. 

      The company says the following products are subject to recall:

      NamePackagingContentsUPC
      Dragon Ultra Enhanced Indo ExtractSealed pouch4 500 mg capsules66001000010
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Bottle150 gram powder660010010057
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Pouch20 500 mg capsules660010010033
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Bottle200 500 mg capsules660010010040
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Bottle80 500 mg capsules060010000019
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Bottle40 500 mg capsules060010000018
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Bottle40 500 mg capsules660010010026
      Dragon MalaysianSealed Pouch20 500 mg capsules660010010033
      Dragon Maeng DaSealed Bottle150 gram powder550010010051
      Dragon Maeng DaSealed Bottle60 gram powder550010000021
      Dragon Maeng DaSealed Bottle200 500 mg capsules550010010044
      Dragon Maeng DaSealed Bottle80 500 mg capsules550010010013
      Dragon Maeng DaSealed Bottle40 500 mg capsules550010010020
      Dragon Maeng DaSealed Bottle80 500 mg capsules440010010037
      Dragon BaliSealed Bottle150 gram powder440010010055
      Dragon BaliSealed Bottle60 gram powder440010000025
      Dragon BaliSealed Bottle200 500 mg capsules440010010048
      Dragon BaliSealed Bottle80 500 mg capsules440010010017
      Dragon BaliSealed Bottle40 500 mg capsules440010010024
      Dragon BaliSealed Pouch20 500 mg capsules440010010031

      What to do

      Maya initiated the recall after being notified by the FDA of a positive test for salmonella. It says that it has since located the source of the contaminated product and ceased its production and distribution.

      The affected products were sold to retailers in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Kansas, Illinois, Idaho, Iowa, and Michigan. The FDA says that one illness related to the recall has been reported thus far, and it urges consumers not to consume affected products.

      Consumers can return affected products to Maya Distribution or to the place of purchase for a full refund. 

      For more information, you can contact Maya Distribution via email at mayavapes@yahoo.com or via phone at (801) 410-4309 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST.

      Maya Distribution, LLC -- based in South Salt Lake City, Utah -- has issued a voluntary recall of its Dragon Kratom labeled bottles and sealed packages of...

      Badger Botanicals recalls kratom dietary supplements

      The products may have been contaminated with salmonella

      Utah-based Badger Botanicals, LLC is issuing a recall for four varieties of its kratom dietary supplements -- Green Suma, Red Suma, Green Hulu 2, and Red Hulu 2 -- over concerns that the products may have been contaminated with salmonella. 

      Salmonella is an organism that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. However, symptoms such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract infections can develop in more serious cases; the condition can even be fatal to young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems. 

      The affected products were sold directly on the company's website from January 1, 2018 to April 12, 2018 in 250 gram pouches.

      The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that one potential illness has already been connected to this problem. The agency encourages consumers who have purchased these products to stop using them and return any unused portions. Consumers who display any symptoms of infection are also urged to contact their healthcare adviser immediately.

      For more information, consumers can contact Badger Botanicals, LLC at 1-385-325-0875.

      Utah-based Badger Botanicals, LLC is issuing a recall for four varieties of its kratom dietary supplements -- Green Suma, Red Suma, Green Hulu 2, and Red H...