Current Events in May 2018

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    United Airlines resets pet transportation policies

    New rules ban certain breeds of dogs and cats from the cargo hold

    After a string of unfortunate events involving pet travel, United Airlines has rolled out a new policy designed to improve the well-being of pets transported by the airline.

    A key element of the policy is a ban on 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 said it teamed with American Humane to draft the new policy. Jan Krems, United's vice president of cargo, said the organization was helpful in identifying ways to ensure pets traveling as cargo arrive at their destination safely.

    “Committed to making significant improvements”

    "As we continue our review process to ensure that we are always doing what's right, we are committed to making significant improvements in our program and adhering to the best practices of animal comfort, well-being and travel on behalf of our customers and their pets," Krems said.

    When the new policy goes into place June 18, certain breeds of pets will not be allowed in the cargo hold because of potential threats to their health. In particular, breeds with short or snub noses will be excluded since they have been shown to be more vulnerable when flying in the cargo hold.

    Under the new policy, Boston Terriers, boxers, pugs, and Pekingese will not qualify as cargo. In addition, Persian and Himalayan cats will be excluded.

    Limited to dogs and cats

    Cargo will also be limited to dogs and cats. United said it will no longer accept other types of animals, unless they can ride in carriers that fit beneath a seat in the aircraft cabin.

    In 2017, two dogs died weeks apart while traveling on United. Weeks later, an animal breeder complained that her rabbit died while on a United flight from the U.S. to the UK.

    More recently, a French bulldog puppy died on a United flight from Houston to New York, prompting the airline to suspend pet transportation until it could revise its policies.

    The changes to United's pet travel program will also suspend pet cargo travel to and from Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix, and Tucson between May 1 and September 30 because of extreme heat.

    Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane's CEO, says the group saw it as part of its mission to assist United with its PetSafe program.

    "Transporting pets introduces a variety of risks and when United approached us, we knew we had to take on the challenge of helping improve and ensure the health, safety and comfort of so many animals," Ganzert said.

    After a string of unfortunate events involving pet travel, United Airlines has rolled out a new policy designed to improve the well-being of pets transport...

    Facebook reaffirms its commitment to privacy

    The company also announced a slew of new features and add-ons at its annual developer conference

    At its annual developer conference -- dubbed F8 -- Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg heralded changes to the social media platform.

    The most important change involved giving its users the power to delete any personal information Facebook has collected. Also announced were a new dating tool, a virtual reality (VR) headset, and video chats for its Instagram app.

    In his best business-like tone, Zuckerberg reaffirmed Facebook’s commitment to rebuilding the trust of its 2+ billion users. At the top of that list are personal privacy and building community.

    "We are all here because we are optimistic about the future," said Zuckerberg. "We have real challenges to address but we have to keep that sense of optimism too. What I learned this year is we have to take a broader view of our responsibility."

    Clear History

    Facebook’s Chief Privacy Officer Erin Egan doubled down on Zuckerberg’s pledge in announcing the company’s plans for a feature called Clear History.

    “This feature will enable you to see the websites and apps that send us information when you use them, delete this information from your account, and turn off our ability to store it associated with your account going forward,” Egan said.

    When a user clears out their history via the new setting, Facebook will delete any and all information that identifies who the user is. However, the company isn’t giving up its dependency on user data or taking away its ability to collect and repurpose demographic information for advertisers. It’s simply taking out all the dots that might connect the identity of the user.

    Showing its good side

    Facebook is holding true to the promise for privacy Zuckerberg made to Congress, but it also added a couple of other features to Facebook’s new collection of manners.

    One of those is Crisis Response, a centralized section of Facebook where people can get real-time updates about recent crises as well as connect with people on ways to help or donate.

    Another show of compassion is a blood donation feature for people in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan where they can register as blood donors. The goal for Blood Donations on Facebook is to make it easier for people who want to donate to find opportunities nearby. People in those countries will be able to view nearby blood donation camps, requests for blood donations, and blood banks from a single place on Facebook.

    What else is in store?

    Goodness and mercy weren’t the only things in play at the conference. There were also some tidbits for the Facebook faithful and lures for the geeks.

    New bells and whistles include:

    • A Groups tab designed to help users more easily connect to their existing groups and interact with content from all their groups.

    • A Video Chat add-on in Instagram. This new Skype-like wrinkle gives people a way to video chat in real-time, even when they all can’t be in the same place.

    • Oculus Go -- a virtual reality headset that gives gamers and curious techies the full-on spatial VR experience. The price point for Oculus Go starts at $199 for the 32 GB version.

    • Facebook Dating. While bringing a private information-oriented add-on might seem a little risky given the company’s recent scolding, Facebook says it’s actually been working on the idea for a dating feature for years.

    “People already use Facebook to meet new people, and we want to make that experience better,” said Zuckerberg. “People will be able to create a dating profile that is separate from their Facebook profile — and potential matches will be recommended based on dating preferences, things in common, and mutual friends. They’ll have the option to discover others with similar interests through their Groups or Events.”

    Facebook’s safety net for the dating feature is that whatever people do within that section is sacred territory and will not be shown to their friends.

    At its annual developer conference -- dubbed F8 -- Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg heralded changes to the social media platform.The most important chan...

    A start-up airline is trying to bring affordable jet travel to smaller cities

    The consolidation of major air carriers has lead to dramatic fare increases and service cutbacks

    After years of mergers, service cutbacks, and shrinking seats, the airline industry may finally face some healthy competition. A start-up airline called OneJet recently announced its first acquisition with the purchase of a longstanding corporate shuttle service called Ultimate Jet Carriers.

    With the acquisition, OneJet says it will soon serve over 17 cities, expanding on its current service marketed to commuters in mid-size cities. However, whether the company can successfully compete with airline powerhouses is uncertain.

    The consolidation of major airlines has been felt by consumers, particularly those who live in medium-sized and smaller cities where airlines used to offer dependable service. In Indianapolis, for instance, just two airlines now control 56 percent of seats, and fares there are 6 percent above the national average, according to one analysis done in 2015.

    Many popular, non-stop, direct flights between smaller cities have been eliminated, with an estimated 1,000 routes cut in recent years. The big four airlines -- United, Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines -- now control 80 percent of air travel in the United States.

    Expanding through the growing pains

    OneJet is based in Pittsburgh, a mid-size city that has felt the impacts of limited nonstop flying options. The airline currently offers rides on eight-seat jets in 14 mid-size cities, but the company says it will increase the plane size to thirty seats and add more routes with its acquisition of Ultimate Jet Carriers.

    The airline says the deal has allowed it to immediately add 20 larger planes to its routes, and it anticipates that a total of 25 planes will be added later this year.

    Consumers have complained that their flights on OneJet have sometimes been cancelled after booking. OneJet CEO Matthew Maguire told CNBC that he anticipates that service will become more reliable once the planes are bigger.

    “Certainly, when you're growing an airline, there are growing pains," he told the station.

    Currently, prices on OneJet are about equal to cheaper than prices offered by other major carriers, according to an analysis by CNBC.

    After years of mergers, service cutbacks, and shrinking seats, the airline industry may finally face some healthy competition. A start-up airline called On...

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      Survey shows many teens are unprepared for the cost of college

      One-third of college freshmen have less than $1,000 in savings

      Young people are not saving money in anticipation of college, with a survey showing one-third of college freshmen have less than $1,000 in the bank.

      According to the College Board, a moderate college budget for an in-state public college for the 2017–2018 academic year averaged $25,290.

      The survey, conducted for Junior Achievement and Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, also finds a majority of high school juniors and seniors feel unprepared for managing the cost of a college education.

      The survey targeted young people just finishing their high school years and beginning their college careers. Not only did it find almost no savings among this group, but a large majority had not spoken with parents about how they were going to manage and pay college costs.

      'No wonder kids feel vulnerable'

      "It's no wonder that kids feel vulnerable," said Jack Kosakowski, CEO of Junior Achievement USA. "As a community, we are not doing enough to educate young people to make smart, sound decisions so they are confident and secure in the choices they make that impact their lives so dramatically."

      Only 11 percent of high school juniors and 19 percent of college freshmen said they feel "very prepared" for managing college costs. On the other hand, 35 percent of high school juniors and 26 percent of college freshmen admitted to being "not very prepared" for the task.

      The survey revealed other troublesome data, including the lack of knowledge about what four years in college would actually cost. When asked to put a price on a variety of college options, the most common answer was "I don't know."

      May explain rising college debt levels

      The survey results may shed some light on why college loan debt has become a staggering burden to the millennial generation. Nearly 70 percent of college graduates enter the workforce with at least some student loan debt, which in 2017 totaled $1.4 trillion.

      With loans to pay off, many college graduates find they are unable to purchase cars or homes on a starting salary. A separate study by Citizens Bank found millennial college graduates with student loans now spend one-fifth of their annual salary on loan payments.

      "It's clear that more needs to be done to help equip students with the tools necessary to minimize student debt and help students make more informed decisions on what loan is best for them," said Brendan Coughlin, president of consumer deposits and lending at Citizens Bank.

      The results from the survey aren't all discouraging. They show some teens reach out to multiple sources for financial information, including guidance counselors, college fairs, and even social media. A growing number of high school students who plan to attend college also say they are exploring scholarships and grants as a means to help pay for an education.

      Young people are not saving money in anticipation of college, with a survey showing one-third of college freshmen have less than $1,000 in the bank.Acc...

      Air pollution kills seven million people each year, WHO report shows

      Officials say ‘urgent action’ is needed to fight this growing threat

      Nine of ten people are subjected to high levels of pollutants from the air they breathe, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on urban air pollution.

      Seven million people are killed annually by breathing in dangerous levels of air pollutants, according to the report.

      WHO researchers said exposure to fine particles in polluted air can penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and respiratory infections such as pneumonia.

      The data showed that air pollution is to blame for 24 percent of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25 percent from stroke, 43 percent from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 29 percent of lung cancer deaths.

      Poorer countries ‘bear the brunt’

      The study drew its findings from the world's most comprehensive database on outdoor air pollution. The WHO's database collects information on 4,300 cities in 108 different countries.

      While air pollution affects everyone, the problem is far worse in low- and middle-income countries. More than 90 percent of deaths linked to air pollution occur in poorer countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, the data showed.

      "Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalised people bear the brunt of the burden," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

      Researchers say the lack of access to clean energy at home is a key issue in these areas. More than half of air pollution-related deaths were linked to cooking with polluting fuels and stoves.

      “It is unacceptable that over 3 billion people ― most of them women and children ― are still breathing deadly smoke every day from using polluting stoves and fuels in their homes,” Dr Tedros said.

      Major public health risk

      Air pollution is the lowest in high-income countries. However, in some high-income countries in Europe, air pollution still shaves between two months to two years off of the average life expectancy.

      “There is no doubt that air pollution represents today not only the biggest environmental risk to our health, but I would also clearly say this is a major challenge for public health at the moment – probably one of the biggest ones we are contemplating,” said Dr. Maria Neira, director of the WHO's Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health.

      Dr. Tedros said that although an increasing number of governments and political leaders are increasing their commitment to monitoring and reducing air pollution, “urgent action is needed on air pollution” or the world “will never come close to achieving sustainable development.”

      The WHO has scheduled a meeting of world leaders at its Geneva headquarters for October 30 – November 1. The conference will focus on both pollution and climate change.   

      Nine of ten people are subjected to high levels of pollutants from the air they breathe, according to the latest report from the World Health Organization...

      Amazon launches ‘Prime Book Box’ for kids

      The subscription service will deliver 2-4 hardcover children’s books every 1-3 months

      Amazon is launching a new service for its Prime members called Prime Book Box, a subscription service that delivers hardback copies of children’s books right to a member’s doorstep.

      Prime members can choose to receive either four board books for children two years old and younger or two picture books or novels for older children every one, two, or three months (with the option to skip a month whenever). The boxes are categorized by age groups of newborns to age 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.

      Amazon Books editors handpick books for the selected age range, making sure not to send titles that the subscriber already has at home that were purchased through Amazon.

      Classics to hidden gems

      Children’s books Prime members will receive include “classics that have stood the test of time as well as hidden gems that our Editors couldn’t put down — stories that your reader can enjoy again and again,” Amazon said in a statement.

      Before the box is shipped, Amazon will send an email preview of what’s in the box so that subscribers can swap out certain books for others on a list of four alternate books. Users can also create a profile for their child to ensure they get the books best suited for them.

      The $23 price tag for the service is about 35 percent less than the normal price of buying children’s books at normal price, Amazon notes.

      Prime Book Box “is always an equal or better value than Amazon’s everyday low prices. In the event that the books in your box are available from Amazon.com for less than $22.99 at the time your order is placed, you’ll receive the lower price automatically,” the company said.

      The boxes will begin shipping later this year, but consumers can register for an invitation today. Amazon hasn’t said whether the subscription box will eventually be made available to non-Prime members.

      Amazon is launching a new service for its Prime members called Prime Book Box, a subscription service that delivers hardback copies of children’s books rig...

      Pest-borne illnesses have tripled since 2004, CDC says

      Biting insects are increasing in numbers and spreading the diseases they carry further

      Illnesses spread by ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes have more than tripled in the United States over the past decade, the CDC said in a new report.

      In 2004, around 27,388 insect-borne illnesses were reported to the CDC. In 2016, the year the Zika outbreak occurred, more than 96,000 cases of illnesses were transmitted by these insects.

      "Zika, West Nile, Lyme and chikungunya -- a growing list of diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick or flea -- have confronted the U.S. in recent years, making a lot of people sick. And we don't know what will threaten Americans next," CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said in a statement.

      Reasons for the surge

      The spike in the number of illnesses transmitted by biting insects can likely be attributed to a few factors, CDC researchers said.

      Warmer weather is a key factor. As temperatures heat up, ticks can expand their range farther north and have a longer active season.

      Mosquitoes and ticks are increasing in numbers and moving into new areas -- and they’re carrying the diseases they transmit through their bite with them. The report noted that the mosquito most responsible for transmitting Zika (Aedes aegypti) has now spread to as many as 38 states.  

      People who travel overseas are also contributing to the increase in insect-borne illnesses by picking up these illnesses and bringing them back to the United States.

      "The data shows that we're seeing a steady increase and spread of tick-borne diseases, and an accelerating trend of mosquito-borne diseases introduced from other parts of the world," Dr. Lyle Petersen, director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.

      Taking precautions

      To avoid catching an insect-borne illness, consumers should take precautions against ticks and mosquitoes. Here are a few ways to avoid being bitten:

      • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when you spend time outside

      • Use a proper insect repellent, especially when walking in wooded and grassy areas

      • Inspect yourself and your family for ticks after spending time in parks or wooded areas

      • Take a shower within two hours after being outside to help wash away ticks

      • Put dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks

      • Regularly inspect your pet to make sure they aren’t carrying ticks that can be brought indoors

      State and local public health officials must also be proactive in prevention measures, as well as diligent in reporting incidences of pest-borne diseases, the researchers said.

      “We need to support state and local health agencies responsible for detecting and responding to these diseases and controlling the mosquitoes, ticks and fleas that spread them,” Petersen said.

      Illnesses spread by ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes have more than tripled in the United States over the past decade, the CDC said in a new report.In 2004...

      Court ruling could affect whether workers are employees or contractors

      California justices hold employers to a strict standard

      The California Supreme Court has raised the bar for companies classifying workers as independent contractors instead of employees.

      The decision, in a case against Dynamex Operations West, could have far-reaching consequences for companies like Uber and Lyft, but also for millions of workers.

      The decision broke little new ground, but it served notice to businesses that they would have to strictly meet the standards that separate an employee from an independent contractor. To be an independent contractor, a worker must be free from the company's control and direction in the way they perform a task.

      As an example, the court said a company hiring a plumber to repair a leak is hiring an independent contractor. But hiring a seamstress who works at home is hiring an employee.

      "Significant risk"

      "Although in some circumstances classification as an independent contractor may be advantageous to workers as well as to businesses, the risk that workers who should be treated as employees may be improperly misclassified as independent contractors is significant in light of the potentially substantial economic incentives that a business may have in mischaracterizing some workers as independent contractors," the justices wrote.

      For example, employees pay half of their Social Security/Medicare tax while the employer pays the other half. If the worker is classified as an independent contract, the contractor pays the full amount. There are other costs associated with employees that a business doesn't face when the work is performed by an independent contractor.

      The court held that the businesses that misclassify employees as contractors gain an unfair competitive advantage over competitors that strictly follow the rules.

      Threatens the gig economy

      The ruling threatens to send shock waves through the so-called "gig economy," which grew in the years following the Great Recession. Businesses that were forced to lay off thousands of employees were slow to rehire, finding they could fill needs with temporary workers and independent contractors, who performed jobs for more than one company.

      Ridesharing apps Uber and Lyft adopted that model, with drivers using their own vehicles and setting their own hours. It remains to be seen exactly how the court ruling affects these companies and their drivers. Legal experts agree, however, that businesses must be able to prove that an independent contractor is actually running his or her own business.

      The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has noted that telling an employee from an independent contractor is not always easy, saying it often depends on the facts in each case. In the case the California court decided, Dynamex Operations West had previously classified its drivers as employees, but it changed them to independent contractors in 2004 without changing their duties.

      "The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done," the agency says on its website.

      The IRS says the critical factor is whether the employer "has the legal right to control of how the services are performed."

      The California Supreme Court has raised the bar for companies classifying workers as independent contractors instead of employees.The decision, in a ca...

      Global Commodities recalls Buenas grated coconut

      The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

      Global Commodities Corporation of Hayward, Calif., is recalling one lot of Buenas Brand frozen grated coconut.

      The product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

      The State of California Department of Public Health is investigating a reported illnesses.

      The 16-oz. plastic bags of Buenas brand of frozen grated coconut, UPC: 4806514650443, lot number 10BAAGA were shipped to retail locations in northern California beginning in February 2018.

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled product should return to the company for credit.

      Consumers with questions may call Global Commodities Corporation at (510) 785-8885 Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

      Global Commodities Corporation of Hayward, Calif., is recalling one lot of Buenas Brand frozen grated coconut.The product may be contaminated with Salm...

      Twitter expands its interest in video and news

      Disney, NBC, and others jump on the social media’s bandwagon

      Monday was a big day for Twitter. The social media platform’s stock price shot up nearly five percent on news that it inked a deal with Disney, NBC, and Viacom to stream live shows.

      With video content accounting for more than half of its ad revenue, Twitter’s move is not only bold, but brainy. In cutting its new video deals, the company nearly doubled its number of video shows, from 16 to 30.

      And, if Twitter’s first quarter is any indication, there’s a real possibility it could video stream more than 5,000 live broadcasts, with nearly 80 percent of those reaching a worldwide audience.

      Accentuating live video

      The Disney partnership is a prize catch for Twitter. Disney brings ABC, the Disney Channel, Marvel Comics, and ESPN to the table. With ESPN, Disney is giving Twitter the keys to do its spin on SportsCenter Live with a mix of sports-related news and insights available through Twitter’s “Moments” tab.

      Twitter recently launched a new set of tools designed to let users Tweet special moments from a live video in hopes of making it easier for people and publishers to find, watch, and discuss those highlights.

      It looks like the entire social media world is betting video content will be its bread and butter going forward. In the last two months, Google announced its plans for YouTube Remix and Facebook ponied up a reported $30-35 million to have exclusive rights to Major League Baseball games.

      All Twitter’s signs point to yes

      Twitter seems determined to make 2018 a big year, too. The company heads into its May 30 annual stockholder meeting on the heels of a 10 percent uptick in daily active users and a year-over-year revenue gain of 21 percent in the first quarter.

      The company also continues its march to get out of Facebook’s shadow when it comes to news. Recently, Twitter put into play a feature that highlights news stories tweeted by people a user follows, a ploy that could domino the amount of time users spend with Twitter.

      “We've begun sharing curated timelines of Tweets around breaking news events in different parts of the app, including the Home timeline and search results, to make it easier to find relevant news and the surrounding conversation,” Twitter wrote in its Q1 investor letter. “This is a first step in a much more cohesive strategy around events that’s inclusive of both the conversation on Twitter and live video, and we’re continuing to experiment with ways to bring more personalized, relevant content to people across our product.”

      Monday was a big day for Twitter. The social media platform’s stock price shot up nearly five percent on news that it inked a deal with Disney, NBC, and Vi...

      Government emails show presence of weedkiller in food products

      However, FDA scientists haven't publicly reported it

      The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected the presence of a common weedkiller in a wide range of fresh and packaged food products, according to report in Britain's The Guardian.

      The Guardian said it obtained FDA emails under the Freedom of Information Act that detail the results of food sample tests. The newspaper says the emails show FDA scientists have found residues of glyphosate, the active ingredient in many weedkillers, but has not released any results over a two-year period.

      In one email, an FDA scientist reported finding traces of glyphosate in crackers, cereal, and corn meal, in one instance finding "a fair amount" of the substance.

      The author of the article is also research director for U.S. Right to Know, a consumer group focused on food safety issues.

      'Over-the-tolerance levels'

      The article cites another email from an FDA scientist reporting "over-the-tolerance" levels of glyphosate in corn, suggesting that levels of the substance should have been reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

      This is not the first time the FDA's monitoring of glyphosate has been questioned. As we reported in 2016, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is on record citing the FDA for failing to test the food supply for residue of certain pesticides.

      The report singled out glyphosate, the primary ingredient of Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller and the world's most commonly used pesticide. While some health advocates says glyphosate is a carcinogen, Monsanto strongly defends it as a key element in the agriculture system, increasing food productivity.

      Last June, California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced it would list glyphosate as a known carcinogen. Monsanto is appealing that decision in court.

      California also added RoundUp to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive damage. Prop. 65 requires the state to label all substances identified as carcinogenic or dangerous to the reproductive process.

      The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected the presence of a common weedkiller in a wide range of fresh and packaged food products, according to r...

      Food industry urged to reduce portion sizes to fight obesity

      Experts say doing so will help recalibrate what constitutes as a ‘normal’ amount of food

      Renormalizing consumer perceptions of what constitutes a normal amount of food could help combat the worldwide obesity crisis, researchers say.

      Findings from a new study show that reducing product portion sizes would likely result in people selecting and eating smaller portions of that food in the future.

      To reach this conclusion, a team of researchers conducted a series of three experiments. Participants were told that the experiments were part of a “food, mood, and reasoning” study so as not to give away the actual goal of the research, which could throw off the study’s results.

      Changing perceptions

      In the first experiment, participants were randomly served either larger or smaller portions of the same meal. During the second experiment, participants were able to serve themselves whatever they wanted to eat from the same type of food provided from the first experiment.

      The third experiment was conducted a week later, and participants were asked what their preferred portion size of the food was.

      The researchers found that being served a smaller portion of food resulted in participants changing their perception of what a normal portion size was. As a result, participants were more likely to choose to eat smaller portions in future.

      “Passive” overeating

      Increases in portion sizes of commercially available food products aren’t doing anything to mitigate the nation’s obesity crisis, the researchers argued. Supersized portions have in fact been known to cause “passive” overeating, which has been linked to the emergence of America’s obesity crisis.

      "There have been suggestions that shrinking the portion size of commercially available food products could be one approach to reducing overconsumption and tackling population-level obesity,” said lead author Dr. Eric Robinson.

      "The present findings indicate that if portion sizes of commercially available foods were reduced, these smaller, more appropriate portion sizes may recalibrate perceptions of what constitutes a ‘normal’ amount of food to eat and, in doing so, decrease how much consumers choose to eat."

      Consistently smaller portions

      The current study couldn’t predict how the effect of encountering smaller portion sizes would last. The effects that were observed “were larger when we examined food intake the next day in the laboratory than when we looked at portion size preference one week later,” Dr. Inge Kersbergen pointed out.

      Regularly encountering smaller portion sizes would likely be key in creating lasting results.

      "Based on the idea that our immediate environment influences our perceptions of what a normal portion size is, it is likely that the effect would only last if we encounter smaller portion sizes more often than supersized portions,” Kersbergen said.

      The full study has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

      Renormalizing consumer perceptions of what constitutes a normal amount of food could help combat the worldwide obesity crisis, researchers say.Findings...

      Counterfeit products still a problem for Amazon

      It’s still easy for fake sellers to list counterfeit goods on Amazon, a recent investigation shows

      Amazon still has a problem with counterfeit goods despite a multi-year effort to crack down on fake sellers, according to an investigation by The Guardian.

      The investigators were able to find the following fakes through the Amazon Marketplace:

      • Knockoff Apple AirPods

      • Fake Louis Vuitton iPhone case

      • Counterfeit Kylie Jenner lip gloss

      • Used iPhone chargers that were sold as new

      These items were sold by third-party sellers and were listed as legitimate on the site. The counterfeit Airpods were shipped via the “Fullfilled by Amazon” feature, which enables third-party sellers to store the items in Amazon’s warehouses prior to being packed and delivered by Amazon employees.

      Counterfeits pulled

      When the Guardian contacted Amazon about the phenomenon, the online retailer removed five counterfeit products from its Marketplace and changed the listing of some items from New to Used.

      “Amazon investigated and took action on 95 percent of all notices of potential infringement received from Brand Registry within eight hours,” Amazon told the Guardian.

      “With our proactive innovations that learn from the information in Brand Registry, brands in Brand Registry on average are finding and reporting 99 percent fewer suspected infringements than before the launch of Brand Registry.”

      Ongoing problem

      Amazon’s fight against fake sellers isn’t new. The company has been trying to fix its counterfeit product problem for several years.

      Two years ago, Birkenstock refused to do business with Amazon because of the cheaper knockoffs on the site. The German sandal maker equated the issue to “modern-day piracy”. The same year, Apple filed a lawsuit against a company called Mobile Star that allegedly sold counterfeit Apple chargers through Amazon.

      Many brands argue that Amazon isn’t doing enough to keep the site from being infiltrated by fake sellers. However, Amazon says it takes fraud seriously and that its process for preventing counterfeits from being sold on its site is robust.

      When a business registers to sell products on Amazon, the site’s systems “scan information for signals that the business might be a bad actor,” the company said in a statement. “Over 99.9 percent of all Amazon page views land on pages that have not received notices of infringement.”

      Amazon also launched a service called Brand Registry that helps legitimate brands claim their identities on the Marketplace and set themselves apart from fakes. Amazon says its team responds to 93 percent of all notices of potential infringement received on its Brand Registry within four hours.

      Identifying fake products

      As Amazon continues its fight against counterfeit products, consumers can take several measures to avoid receiving a counterfeit item. First, be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.

      “When you see a vendor on a street corner selling Rolex watches for $20, it's not that hard to deduce that they are fakes. The same principle can be applied to products on Amazon,” said Joel Anderson of GoBankingRates.com

      Julie Zerbo from the Fashion Law blog recommends that consumers “limit their purchases exclusively to products sold by the brands themselves, either by way of them selling on Amazon’s platform directly, via an authorized account, or by way of a partnership with Amazon, as Calvin Klein, for instance, recently began doing.”

      Experts also recommend only buying from Amazon Prime, since shipping is guaranteed and the return process is simplified in the event that you do receive a counterfeit item.

      Amazon still has a problem with counterfeit goods despite a multi-year effort to crack down on fake sellers, according to an investigation by The Guardian....

      Supreme Court to examine how class action settlements are distributed

      Awarding money to charities instead of class members is being challenged

      The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could decide how money from class action settlements can be distributed.

      In a normal settlement, legal expenses are paid off the top, with the remaining funds in the settlement awarded to individual class members. But in recent years, some judges have awarded the money to charities instead of class members harmed by the action in question.

      In the 2013 case Marek v. Lane, Chief Justice John Roberts called this practice into question after he noted that Facebook agreed to pay a $9.5 settlement and the judge awarded the funds in what Roberts called "an unusual way."

      "Plaintiffs’ counsel were awarded nearly a quarter of the fund in fees and costs, while the named plaintiffs received modest incentive payments," Roberts wrote. "The unnamed class members, by contrast, received no damages from the remaining $6.5 million."

      Awarding all class members deemed not practical

      The court determined that distributing the remaining money to the large number of individuals in the class would result in awards so small that no class member would bother collecting it. So in this case, the court created a non-profit foundation with the money to educate the public about online privacy.

      Since then, other judges have followed that example; but now, someone has challenged that practice in court and the high court has agreed to hear it.

      The case in question stems from another online privacy issue. Google agreed to an $8.5 million settlement after it was accused in a class action of violating users’ privacy. The lawyers in the case pocketed $2 million, but members of the class received none of the remaining funds.

      The money was instead divided between foundations focused on internet privacy issues, based at Stanford and Harvard universities. Two class members objected to the settlement, arguing the terms of the settlement did not address the real issue in the case -- the harm to the members of the class.

      The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the original settlement, pointing out that trying to distribute the money in the settlement to every class member would result in awards of around four cents each.

      The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could decide how money from class action settlements can be distributed.In a normal settlement, legal...

      Pinnacle Foods recalls Armour Dried Beef

      The product may be contaminated with taphylococcal enterotoxin and clostridial toxin

      Pinnacle Foods of Fort Madison, Iowa, is recalling approximately 32,479 pounds of heat-treated, shelf stable beef products.

      A possible processing deviation that may have led to staphylococcal enterotoxin and clostridial toxin contamination.

      There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

      The following ready-to-eat dried, sliced beef items, produced on Jan. 2, 2018, and April 9, 2018, with a shelf life of three years, are being recalled:

      • 2.25-oz. glass jars containing “ARMOUR GROUND & FORMED SLICED Dried Beef” with best by dates of JAN-07-21, JAN-08-21, JAN-09-21, JAN-10-21, JAN-11-21, APR-15-21, APR-16-21, APR-17-21, APR-18-21 and APR-19-21 and lot codes 0707011Y11, 0708011Y11, 0709011Y11, 0710011Y11, 0711011Y11, 0715041Y11, 0716041Y11, 0717041Y11, 0718041Y11 and 0719041Y11 .
      • 4.5-oz. glass jars containing “ARMOUR GROUND & FORMED SLICED Dried Beef” with best by dates of JAN-23-21, JAN-24-21, JAN-25-21 and APR-22-21 and lot codes 0723011Y11, 0724011Y11, 0725011Y11 and 0722041YW1.

      The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 2AD” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

      Consumers with questions about the recall may call the Pinnacle Foods consumer care office at (888) 299-7646.

      Pinnacle Foods of Fort Madison, Iowa, is recalling approximately 32,479 pounds of heat-treated, shelf stable beef products.A possible processing deviat...