Current Events in May 2018

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    Facebook Marketplace expands to offer home services

    Users can find and book highly-rated home service professionals located nearby

    Starting today, consumers can hire home service professionals -- such as house cleaners, plumbers, and contractors -- through Facebook’s mobile Marketplace.

    In a statement about the launch, Bowen Pan, product manager at Facebook, noted that requests for home service recommendations have skyrocketed, totaling “millions of people” since the beginning of 2018.

    For the new service, Facebook said it’s partnering with three existing home service marketplaces: Handy, Home Advisor, and Porch.

    “More people ask for recommendations related to home services on Facebook in the U.S. than any other topic. By partnering with Handy, HomeAdvisor, and Porch, people will now have a place on Marketplace to find the right professional to help with their next home project,” Pan said.

    Finding professionals

    Facebook’s new addition to Marketplace will give users plenty of options when it comes to finding help around the house. The company says users will be able to browse through hundreds of thousands of professionals across the country.

    These professionals can be searched by location and will have ratings, reviews, and credentials. If more than one professional surfaces as a potential match for a project, users can describe the task and use Messenger to send it to multiple professionals at once and judge their responses.

    Amazon offers a similar service, called Amazon Home Services, that lets users browse nearby firms offering home services, including house cleaning, yard work, and construction.

    The new tool is starting to roll out today for iOS and Android and will be available to all U.S. users in the coming weeks.

    Starting today, consumers can hire home service professionals -- such as house cleaners, plumbers, and contractors -- through Facebook’s mobile Marketplace...

    Researchers identify a new neurodevelopmental disease

    The team hopes their discovery will lead to better treatments for undiagnosed patients

    A recent study has led researchers to identify a new neurodevelopmental disease that causes slow growth, seizures, and learning difficulties.

    The discovery was made when researchers examined a pair of siblings who had developed normally from a physical standpoint but suffered from neurodevelopmental delay and sudden, unexplained seizures and convulsions. The problem was so bad that neither had learned how to walk or speak.

    The researchers theorized that the source of these symptoms was genetic. Eventually they found that both siblings showed a recessive mutation in the CAMK2A genes – which have been linked to regulation of learning and memory in animals.

    Senior author Bruno Reversade says that these types of discoveries aren’t uncommon; in fact, he says that they can often lead to the development of better treatments.

    “A significant number of children are born with growth delays, neurological defects and intellectual disabilities every year across the world,” he said. “While specific genetic mutations have been identified for some patients, the cause remains unknown in many cases. Identifying novel mutations would not only advance our understanding of neurological disease in general but would also help clinicians diagnose children with similar symptoms and/or carry out genetic testing for expecting parents.”

    Treating undiagnosed patients

    For this disorder, the researchers say that a single coding error in the CAMK2A gene prevented protein subunits from assembling correctly. Further study with roundworms confirmed that this mutation can disrupt neuronal communication and the development of normal motor function.

    Co-first author Franklin Zhong hopes that his team can bring these findings to experts in pediatric genetics so that undiagnosed children with similar symptoms can be identified and helped more effectively.

    “Neuroscientists working to understand childhood brain development, neuronal function, and memory formation also need to consider this new disease, since CAMK2A is associated with these processes,” he said.

    “In the future, it would be interesting to test whether restoring CAMK2A activity can bring therapeutic benefit to patients with this condition, as well as those with related neurological disorders.”

    The full study has been published in the journal eLife.

    A recent study has led researchers to identify a new neurodevelopmental disease that causes slow growth, seizures, and learning difficulties.The discov...

    Here are the top 10 'coolest' new cars under $20,000

    They're not only affordable, they're also fuel efficient

    Maybe you don't have a big budget for a new car, but that doesn't mean you can't have a cool set of wheels.

    Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has released its “top 10 coolest cars of 2018 for under $20,000,” with the Mazda3 claiming the top spot. KBB says the Mazda3 is a compact that offers a mix of practicality and sportiness. It's available in both a sedan and hatchback.

    Here's the complete list:

    1. Mazda3

    2. Honda Civic

    3. Hyundai Kona

    4. Volkswagen Golf

    5. Kia Soul

    6. Jeep Renegade

    7. Subaru Impreza

    8. Honda Fit

    9. Hyundai Elantra

    10. Chevrolet Sonic

    Priced well below the average new car

    KBB says these cars are attractive because the average new car price is now $35,000 – more than the average consumer can reasonably afford. These cars are also very fuel efficient, which is suddenly an important consideration again as gas prices have begun to rise. But KBB says that's not the only thing that makes these cars attractive.

    "Even at a lower price point, the 10 coolest new cars under $20,000 are loaded with tech and safety features and offered in sharp and versatile packages," said Michael Harley, executive editor for KBB. "Both good-looking and exciting to drive, these top picks are worth closer consideration by today's budget-minded shopper."

    To make its list, KBB says a car has to be fun to drive and possess an admittedly subjective “cool factor.” That factor might be derived from the vehicle's design or its on-board technology.

    It obviously has to have a purchase price starting at $20,000 or less. The most expensive MSRP on the list belongs to the Volkswagen Golf, right at $20,000. The lowest priced car on the list is the Chevy Sonic, with an MSRP of $15,295. In most cases, the cars can be purchased for less than their MSRP.

    Maybe you don't have a big budget for a new car, but that doesn't mean you can't have a cool set of wheels.Kelley Blue Book (KBB) has released its “top...

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      Inflation warning signs are beginning to appear

      Higher oil prices and economic growth may add up to higher prices for consumers

      Inflation hasn't been a factor in the U.S. economy since the financial crisis, but that could soon change.

      Two indicators – oil prices and freight transportation – suggest the economy is heating up, and that's usually followed by rising prices.

      Oil prices, which have been relatively low since 2014, have surged in the last few weeks. Prices have risen to over $80 a barrel this week, an increase of nearly 48 percent in the last 12 months. UBS, the Swiss investment bank, is warning that the price of oil could go back to $100 a barrel.

      Should that happen, consumers would not only face higher gasoline prices; the price of just about everything would go up. UBS warns that a recession can be triggered when prices rise too quickly.

      "We should take seriously the possibility of an oil price spike, not least because oil spikes preceded five of the last six recessions in the U.S," UBS economist said in a research note.

      Tight shipping market

      Economists often find early signs of inflation in the freight transportation industry. And right now, the trucking industry is flashing a warning.

      DAT, a freight marketplace, matches trucking companies with loads of freight and has been a reliable indicator of supply and demand. Right now, DAT reports the market is extremely tight.

      In the spot market, where vendors look for drivers to move their products, demand has doubled from April 2017 to April 2018. With capacity pressure building in the marketplace, it may only be a matter of time before it will cost more to ship products, which could raise the price of just about everything.

      Inflation watch

      Economist Joel Naroff, of Naroff Economic Advisors, warned of an inflationary threat last December when Congress slashed tax rates, saying it would further stimulate an already growing economy. Today, he hasn't seen solid evidence that firms are raising prices in the face of increased demand or higher energy prices.

      “But backlogs are growing and delivery times are lengthening greatly,” Naroff told ConsumerAffairs. “That is, in effect, a price hike.”

      If the trend continues, consumers might soon see higher prices at the supermarket, as well as when they shop online. Air fares might also rise to cover higher fuel costs.

      Inflation hasn't been a factor in the U.S. economy since the financial crisis, but that could soon change.Two indicators – oil prices and freight trans...

      Porsche recalls toy cars

      The wheels and axles can detach, posing a choking hazard

      Porsche Cars North America of Atlanta, Ga., is recalling about 2,000 My First Porsche – Wooden Cars sold in the U.S. and Canada.

      The wheels and axles can detach from the wooden toy car, posing a choking hazard to young children.

      No incidents or injuries are reported.

      This recall involves a blue wooden toy Porsche car with tan wheels and the Porsche crest printed on the front.

      “PORSCHE” is printed on both sides of the recalled toy cars, which measure about 4 inches long by 2 inches wide by 1 1/2 inches tall. The underside of the toy has “BAJO” and a lot number printed on it. The following lot numbers are included in this recall:

      Lot Number

      0 1 1 2 1 5

      0209 1 6

      03 1 0 1 7

      0311 1 4

      03 1 1 1 6

      04011 6

      0404 16

      0405 1 6

      04 1 2 1 7

      05 1 0 1 5

      06 1 11 7

      0909 1 5

      The toy cars, manufactured in Poland, were sold at Porsche dealers nationwide and online at shop4.porsche.com/usa/ and other websites from April 2015, through March 2018, for about $25.

      What to do

      Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled toy cars, take them away from young children and contact a local authorized Porsche dealer to return the recalled toy car and receive a full refund.

      Consumers may contact Porsche at 800-767-7243 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at shop4.porsche.com/usa/ and click on "Product Recall" at the bottom of the page for more information.

      Porsche Cars North America of Atlanta, Ga., is recalling about 2,000 My First Porsche – Wooden Cars sold in the U.S. and Canada.The wheels and axles ca...

      Ziyad Brothers Importing recalls Tahini

      The product may be contaminated with Salmonella

      Ziyad Brothers Importing is recalling certain lot codes of Ziyad brand Tahini that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

      No illnesses have been reported to date.

      The following product, sold nationwide in 8, 16, and 32-oz and half gallon jars and labeled “Tahini Sesame Paste,” is being recalled:

      Product CodeProduct Description & SizeLot #UPC
      A0071Ziyad Tahini Sesame Paste 1/2 gal Glass Jar35417074265003076
      A0072Ziyad Tahini Sesame Paste 32 oz Glass Jar00318074265001553
      A0073Ziyad Tahini Sesame Paste 16 oz Glass Jar35317074265001560
      35417
      35517
      35617
      A0076Ziyad Tahini Sesame Paste 8 oz Glass Jar34817074265010975
      01218
      S0073Ziyad Tahini Sesame Paste 16 oz Glass Jar34917074265001560

      Lot codes and use by/expiration dates are printed on the white jar cap.

      What to do

      Customers who purchased the recalled product should discontinue using it and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Recall Coordinator Ray Hanania at 708-298-3818.

      Ziyad Brothers Importing is recalling certain lot codes of Ziyad brand Tahini that may be contaminated with Salmonella.No illnesses have been reported...

      Chrysler recalls model year 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles

      The front lower control arms may be incorrectly welded,

      Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 2,761 model year 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles.

      The front lower control arms may be incorrectly welded, potentially resulting in a control arm separation, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front lower control arms, free of charge.

      The recall is expected to begin June 20, 2018.

      Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U42.

      Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 2,761 model year 2018 Jeep Compass vehicles.The front lower control arms may be incorrectly welded, potentially resu...

      Supreme Court rules in favor of companies on forced arbitration policies

      The decision allows employers to bar workers from filing or joining class action lawsuits

      Workers battling their employers over injuries, pay, and other workplace conditions can be prohibited from banding together in court, the Supreme Court decided on Monday.

      In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court said that the controversial but popular practice of requiring employees to sign forced arbitration agreements is legal under federal labor laws.

      An estimated 25 million American workers are prohibited from suing their employers in class-action lawsuits due to forced arbitration agreements, according to a study by the Economic Policy Institute.

      Workers put at disadvantage

      Forced arbitration, commonly used not just between workers and employers but also between businesses and consumers, stipulate that legal complaints must be settled in a private meeting between the parties and an arbitrator rather than in a court of law.

      The arbitrator is typically funded by the business that enforces the arbitration policies, putting consumers and workers filing claims at a disadvantage.

      Companies have countered that forced arbitration keeps frivolous lawsuits out of the courts and is perfectly legal under federal arbitration and labor laws. Conservative Supreme Court Justices have repeatedly embraced this attitude.

      “The policy may be debatable but the law is clear: Congress has instructed that arbitration agreements like those before us must be enforced as written,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for the majority in Monday’s opinion.

      An “egregiously wrong” decision

      It was a predictable ruling from a divided Supreme Court that has consistently approved of forced arbitration agreements along ideological lines. The Supreme Court in recent years has also ruled that companies can require consumers to sign binding arbitration agreements, to the frustration of advocates who argue that consumers deserve the right to sue.

      Labor advocates say that the ruling will continue to limit options for low-wage workers who want to make legal claims against their employers.

      “Workers’ ability to band together is crucial to making legal protections real — and bosses know it,”  National Employment Law Project Executive Director Christine Owens said in a statement.

      In a dissenting opinion, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the majority's decision “egregiously wrong.”

      “The inevitable result of today’s decision will be the underenforcement of federal and state statutes designed to advance the well-being of vulnerable workers,” she wrote.

      State lawmakers push back

      The Supreme Court’s ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by employees of Epic Systems, Ernst & Young, and Murphy Oil USA, who tried to challenge their arbitration agreements under the National Labor Relations Act.

      In the wake of the #MeToo movement, forced arbitration has also been cited as a major factor in keeping sexual assault allegations secret. Attorneys general and lawmakers in over a dozen states are now pushing for laws that would prevent forced arbitration clauses from being enforced in sexual assault cases.

      In recent weeks, Uber and Lyft both agreed to drop enforcement of their arbitration policies for sexual assault claims. The companies were responding to public pressure and growing accusations that they were trying to cover up rape and abuse claims between riders and drivers.

      Workers battling their employers over injuries, pay, and other workplace conditions can be prohibited from banding together in court, the Supreme Court dec...

      Trump signs resolution overturning CFPB auto lending rule

      The agency's acting director celebrated the decision

      President Trump has signed a resolution, passed by Congress, overturning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) auto lending rule, designed to prevent racial discrimination by dealers who finance purchases.

      The White House said the President signed the document Monday, enacting it into law. The CFPB will be unable to implement a "substantially similar" rule unless Congress gives its permission.

      It's the latest attempt by the Trump administration to rollback CFPB actions that Democrats praise as measures to protect consumers from abuses, but Republicans -- including the agency's acting director, Mick Mulvaney -- denounce as exercises in unauthorized power.

      Using the Congressional Review Act

      Ironically, Republicans used the same tool to overturn the rule that Democrats have attempted to use to restore net neutrality. The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows Congress to reverse policies put into place by federal agencies.

      Democrats in the Senate voted last week to overturn the FCC's reversal of net neutrality, but they probably lack the votes in the House to prevail. The Republicans had no problem overturning the auto lending rule, winning by four votes in the Senate and a wider margin in the House.

      It isn't often that the head of a federal agency celebrates a reduction of its power, but Mulvaney did just that.

      “I thank the President and the Congress for reaffirming that the bureau lacks the power to act outside of federal statutes," Mulvaney said in a statement. "As an executive agency, we are bound to enforce the law as written, not as we may wish it to be."

      Mulvaney said the auto lending rule, implemented by the CFPB during the Obama administration, "seemed like a solution in search of a problem."

      "Those actions were misguided, and Congress has corrected them," Mulvaney said.

      Critics weigh in

      The group Allied Progress was harshly critical of the action, saying hard data shows "enormous" racial disparities in the way auto loans are marked up.

      “President Trump can try to spin it any way he wants, but the bottom line is this – black and brown folks are systematically charged more for their car loans even when they have the same credit as whites," said Karl Frisch, executive director of Allied Progress. "This president has consistently shown us that consumers are not of any importance to him, particularly when they are people color,”

      Congressional Republicans say other CFPB rules may also be targeted for rollback, but the agency's payday lending rule will apparently not be one of them -- at least in the short term. The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) says the clock has run out on opponents of the rule.

      The CFPB rule, finalized in October, established consumer protections on short term, high-interest loans, including the requirement that lenders should have to verify a borrower’s ability to repay before making the loan.

      A CRA to overturn the rule was introduced in Congress but failed to pass within the required 60 days.

      President Trump has signed a resolution, passed by Congress, overturning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) auto lending rule, designed to p...

      Progressive groups pressure the FTC to break up Facebook

      The split would allow greater competition across social media platforms and provide stricter privacy regulations

      A number of progressive groups are planning to launch a six-figure digital ad proposal that will push the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to break up Facebook.

      The group has three main goals that it hopes will ultimately dismantle the monopoly Facebook has on social media:

      • Break off Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger into their own companies that are separate from Facebook;

      • Make it possible for users on competing social networks to communicate with each other; and

      • Implement stronger privacy rules.

      The groups have started an online petition entitled Free From Facebook that clearly outlines their missions and goals. It also provides details on the immense power Facebook wields over our current society.

      “Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg have amassed a scary amount of power,” the website says. “Facebook unilaterally decides the news that billions of people around the world see every day. It buys up or bankrupts potential competitors to protect its monopoly, killing innovation and choice. It tracks us almost everywhere we go on the web and, through our smartphones, even where we go in the real world.”

      “The five members of the Federal Trade Commission, which is the part of our government tasked with overseeing Facebook, can make Facebook safe for our democracy by breaking it up, giving us the freedom to communicate across networks, and protecting our privacy. Together, we will make sure that they do,” the groups conclude.

      Facebook responds

      The proposed ads will run online on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, as well as in traditional website ad slots. The groups involved include Demand Progress and MoveOn Civic Action, in addition to the anti-concentration Open Markets Institute.

      The groups have decided to push the issue now because of the FTC’s new Chairman Joe Simons, who has expressed some willingness to explore tech concerns. As of yet, no new FTC commissioners have expressed their agreement that any Silicon Valley giants should be broken up.

      In response to the push for action, Facebook said that splitting up its various entities would be a detriment to consumers.

      “Facebook is a competitive environment where people use our apps at the same time they use free services offered by many others,” said a Facebook spokesperson. “The average person uses eight different apps to communicate and stay connected. People use Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger because they find them valuable, and we’ve been better able to fight spam and abuse and build new features much faster by working under one roof.”

      Recent scrutiny and privacy concerns

      News of this push to break up the social media giant comes after the company has experienced a great deal of scrutiny.

      Earlier this year, Facebook was being investigated after up to 87 million people had their data repurposed by Cambridge Analytica to influence voter decisions in the 2016 election. CEO Mark Zuckerberg spent nearly four hours taking questions from 42 Senators, all focused on his company’s mistakes with user privacy.

      “Our sophistication in handling these threats is growing and improving quickly,” Zuckerberg said. “We will continue working with the government to understand the full extent of Russian interference, and we will do our part to not only ensure the integrity of free and fair elections around the world, but also to give everyone a voice and to be a force for good in democracy everywhere.”

      Steps towards greater privacy

      Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook announced plans to enforce Europe’s stringent privacy settings around the world. The company says its taking steps to comply with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, which is set to go into effect later this month on May 25th.

      Under this new legislation, companies must obtain consumers’ consent before sharing their information, and that consent can be rescinded at any time. Users under the age of 16 must also have a parent consent on their behalf.

      The laws give users the option to choose whether they want Facebook to use partner data to show relevant ads. The company decided to convert 20 privacy screens to one single screen, streamlining and clearly defining the security process. Facebook also now disables the facial recognition feature -- unless directed otherwise by users -- and asks consumers if they want to display religious, political, or relationship information on their profiles.

      “We support smart privacy regulation and efforts that make it easier for people to take their data to competing services,” a Facebook spokesperson said. “But rather than wait, we’ve simplified our privacy controls and introduced new ways for people to access and delete their data, or to take their data with them.”

      A number of progressive groups are planning to launch a six-figure digital ad proposal that will push the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to break up Facebo...

      BP invests $20 million to develop electric car batteries than can charge in minutes

      The oil giant believes ultrafast charging will pave the way for wider adoption of electric vehicles

      BP announced on Tuesday that it has invested $20 million in Israel’s StoreDot, a start-up developing technology that has the potential to charge electric cars as quickly as refilling a gasoline tank.

      StoreDot’s lithium ion technology -- called “flash batteries” -- are powered by organic compounds and nanomaterials. The company claims the batteries can allow an electric vehicle to travel more than 300 miles after a full charge.  

      The technology will be deployed in smartphones as early as next year, and BP’s investment will help bring the technology to vehicles.

      Five-minute charge

      The oil company said it believes ultra-fast battery charging will be key in accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.

      Currently, consumers must wait between 30 minutes to 12 hours to charge a typical electric car. The amount of time it takes to charge an EV depends on several factors, including the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point.

      "Ultra-fast charging is at the heart of BP's electrification strategy," Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of BP's downstream business, said in a statement. "StoreDot's technology shows real potential for car batteries that can charge in the same time it takes to fill a gas tank."

      StoreDot co-founder and CEO Dr Doron Myerdorf said, “Working closely together with a global energy leader is a significant milestone in StoreDot’s direction of strengthening the EV ultra-fast charging eco-system.”

      “The combination of BP’s impressive presence and StoreDot’s eco-system of EV partnerships enables faster implementation of ultra-fast charging stations and could allow a better charging experience for drivers,” Myerdorf said.

      Last September, StoreDot received $60 million in funding from Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler to develop ultrafast mobile charging technology using the batteries.

      Previous efforts by BP to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its operations have included installing over 70 EV charging stations at retail sites in several countries and investing $5 million in FreeWire, a startup that produces mobile fast charging systems for electric vehicles. BP is planning on testing its Mobi Charger at select locations in Europe over the course of the 2018.

      BP announced on Tuesday that it has invested $20 million in Israel’s StoreDot, a start-up developing technology that has the potential to charge electric c...

      Chronic lack of sleep puts consumers at risk of physical impairment, study finds

      The researchers say many consumers may not realize that anything is wrong

      Getting a good night’s sleep allows the body to recover and promotes better overall health, but researchers say that millions of people are still getting insufficient amounts of shut-eye on a daily basis.

      In a recent study, a research team from Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that this lack of sleep is contributing to impaired performance in everyday tasks and other adverse physiological outcomes. They add that looking at the amount of time a person spends awake should be the first sign that something may be wrong.

      “If somebody is routinely awake for more than 18 hours daily, then they are also routinely sleeping for less than six hours daily,” said senior author Dr. Elizabeth B. Klerman. “We found that chronic short sleep duration, even without extended wakefulness, resulted in vigilant performance impairments.”

      Attention lapses and slower reactions

      The study examined nine healthy people who participated in a 32-day inpatient protocol. The test simulated 20-hour “day” cycles during which sleep was restricted to 4.67 hours and wakefulness was extended to 15.33 hours for those in the experimental group. At the same time, a control group was allowed 6.67 hours of sleep per day.

      When asked to self-evaluate their alertness and sleepiness, the groups differed very little. However, the researchers found that the participants who had their sleep restricted were five times more likely to experience attention lapses and twice as likely to have reduced reaction times.

      The finding has dire implications for consumers who regularly drive on shorter amounts of sleep, since these physical impairments could increase the risk of an accident. The researchers reiterate that a person may not necessarily feel tired but is still vulnerable.

      “We have shown that sleep in itself is important. People cannot learn to live on insufficient sleep and they may not be aware of their reduced cognitive abilities,” said Klerman. “More so, our study suggests the importance of longer episodes of sleep, rather than a ‘split sleep’ schedule.”

      The full study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

      Getting a good night’s sleep allows the body to recover and promotes better overall health, but researchers say that millions of people are still getting i...

      AAA polls shows consumers more mistrustful of autonomous cars

      There's been a big erosion in confidence in the last few months

      The automotive and technology industries continue to make progress in developing self-driving cars, but a new AAA survey shows consumers are growing increasingly skeptical, if not fearful, of autonomous vehicles.

      In fact, a new survey from AAA finds consumer trust in cars that drive themselves has eroded quickly in just the space of a few months.

      The survey found 73 percent of motorists would be afraid to ride in a full self-driving vehicle, a significant increase from 63 percent recorded in late 2017. Two-thirds of adults said they would actually feel less safe as a pedestrian or bicycle rider, sharing the road with self-driving cars.

      AAA notes the results were likely influenced by recent accidents involving self-driving cars, being tested on public roads. In one of the most recent incidents, an Arizona pedestrian pushing her bicycle was struck and killed by a self-driving car being tested by Uber.

      The preliminary investigation determined that the car's sensors saw the pedestrian but did not recognize her as an object it should avoid hitting.

      High expectations for safety

      “Despite their potential to make our roads safer in the long run, consumers have high expectations for safety,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering and Industry Relations. “Our results show that any incident involving an autonomous vehicle is likely to shake consumer trust, which is a critical component to the widespread acceptance of autonomous vehicles.”

      Broken down by age groups, the results aren't what you might expect. Millennials, the generation that is considered the most tech-savvy, has lost faith in autonomous vehicles the fastest. In 2017, only 49 percent of millennials expressed misgivings about riding in a self-driving car. Today, it's 64 percent.

      “While autonomous vehicles are being tested, there’s always a chance that they will fail or encounter a situation that challenges even the most advanced system,” said Megan Foster, AAA’s director of Federal Affairs. “To ease fears, there must be safeguards in place to protect vehicle occupants and the motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians with whom they share the road.”

      Consumer groups want to hit the brakes

      A number of consumer and safety groups agree. That's why they have been vocal in their criticism of the government's fast-tracking of autonomous vehicle testing on public streets. The Center for Auto Safety is among the groups worried that there isn't enough regulatory oversight, as an increasing number of self-driving cars interact with humans.

      After the Arizona accident, the group said pushing these vehicles out onto the road without proper testing and regulations is a mistake. It notes that government safety guidelines put into place in 2017 are voluntary and "designed to put manufacturers directly into the driver’s seat."

      The automotive and technology industries continue to make progress in developing self-driving cars, but a new AAA survey shows consumers are growing increa...

      U.S., China agree on outline to end ZTE ban

      The Trump administration may lift the ban on smartphone maker ZTE

      The United States and China have reportedly agreed on a “broad outline” that would end the seven-year ban on ZTE buying American technology, according to the Wall Street Journal.

      Although the details haven’t been ironed out, the agreement would involve major changes to management and potentially heavy fines, sources familiar with the matter told the Journal. If the deal goes through, ZTE’s business would be saved.

      The company said previously that it had halted “major operating activities” as a result of the ban, which prevented it from receiving parts from many of its most crucial U.S.-based suppliers, including Qualcomm.

      Not off the hook

      As part of the agreement, Beijing offered to remove tariffs on billions of dollars of U.S. farm products. However, one of the WSJ’s sources said “the White House was meticulous in affirming that the case is a law enforcement matter and not a bargaining chip in negotiations.”

      White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told CNBC that ZTE is “not going to get off scot-free” and that it still faces fines, as well as “very severe compliance measures, a new board of directors, [and] a new management team.”

      Talk of the tentative deal comes after President Trump announced earlier this month that sanctions against ZTE had cost "too many jobs in China." In a tweet, he pledged to get the company back in business.

      “President Xi of China, and I, are working together to give massive Chinese phone company, ZTE, a way to get back into business, fast. Too many jobs in China lost. Commerce Department has been instructed to get it done,” he said.

      Lawmakers express concern

      Trump’s pledge to save the embattled company was previously met with concern from lawmakers in both parties, who argued that overturning the ban could pose a potential security threat.

      "ZTE is a Chinese telecommunications company that has been exhaustively investigated by the U.S. intelligence community, other areas of the government and the U.S. Congress,” said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland).

      “They're widely suspected of spying for the Chinese government, and we cannot allow them to infiltrate U.S. networks or give them access to the U.S. market while they continue to be beholden to their government," Ruppersberger said.

      Last Thursday, the House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to accept an amendment to a bill that upheld sanctions against ZTE.

      The United States and China have reportedly agreed on a “broad outline” that would end the seven-year ban on ZTE buying American technology, according to t...

      Tesla Model 3 fails to win recommendation due to ‘big flaws’

      Critics cite the vehicle’s long stopping distances and confusing controls

      Tesla has had difficulty producing the Tesla Model 3 and is still trying to increase the number of cars produced each week.

      Now the carmaker is faced with another Model 3 issue -- the car has failed to win a coveted recommendation from the reviewers at Consumer Reports.

      First, the praise. Consumer Reports says its testers who drove the Model 3 confirmed record-setting range for an electric vehicle. Beyond that, it was fun to drive. They describe "exhilarating" handling and pickup that put it in the class of performance cars like the BMW 3 series and the Audi A4.

      Its price starts at $35,000 and goes up to $78,000, which isn't all that unusual for a luxury electric. So, what's not to like?

      'Big flaws'

      "Our testers also found flaws—big flaws—such as long stopping distances in our emergency braking test and difficult-to-use controls," Consumer Reports wrote in its review. "These problems keep the Model 3 from earning a Consumer Reports recommendation."

      For example, the review says the Model 3, traveling at 60 miles per hour, takes 152 feet to come to a stop. Consumer Reports says that is "far worse" than any recent model car it has tested, and about seven feet longer than the stopping distance of a Ford F-150 pickup truck.

      Tesla disputes the stopping distance claim, saying its tests show the car comes to a full stop within 133 feet. Tesla CEO Elon Musk Tweeted a response to the review, saying the stopping distance issue can be improved with a firmware update.

      Other reviews

      Braking has been an issue in other automotive reviews of the Tesla Model 3. Car and Driver specifically mentioned the brakes in its bullet point "likes and dislikes" portion of the review.

      "The Tesla barely ekes out a win in this category with its stop from 70 mph, although we did notice a bizarre amount of variation in our test, which involves six consecutive panic stops—the third of these stops took an interminable 196 feet," the reviewer wrote.

      Despite being behind on its production goals, Tesla suspended Model 3 production for a time last month, saying it needed to "improve automation and systematically address bottlenecks in order to increase production rates."

      Tesla began taking orders for the Model 3 last year, with consumers required to put up a $1,000 deposit with their order.

      Tesla has had difficulty producing the Tesla Model 3 and is still trying to increase the number of cars produced each week.Now the carmaker is faced wi...

      Consumers continue to cut the cord

      The use of streaming services has exploded, leading to big subscriber losses for cable providers

      Fed up with the high price of cable, more consumers are switching to video-on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Hulu -- and cable TV providers are feeling the impact in the form of major subscriber losses.

      A new study from entertainment research company Leichtman Research (LRG) finds that cable TV providers have lost 3.4 million subscribers since 2012.

      The biggest pay-TV providers lost about 305,000 customers in the first quarter of 2018. That’s a decrease in cord-cutters compared to the same quarter last year, when the top providers lost about 515,000 subscribers.

      However, LRG's principal analyst Bruce Leichtman says the numbers reflect a continuing trend and that the cord cutting phenomenon is likely to speed up during the summer when many college students are home.

      Satellite TV providers hit hardest

      "The number of pay-TV subscribers for the top providers peaked six years ago. Since 1Q 2012, top providers have lost about 3.4 million total pay-TV subscribers," Leichtman said. "Since the industry’s peak, traditional services have lost about 7.2 million subscribers, while the top publicly reporting Internet-delivered services gained about 3.8 million subscribers."

      First quarter losses in 2018 were biggest for satellite TV providers, who lost 375,000 subscribers in Q1 2018, compared to 285,000 for cable. DirecTV and Dish lost 188,000 and 185,000 traditional satellite customers, respectively.

      AT&T and Dish have each started offering their own streaming video services (DirecTV Now and Sling TV) to cater to consumers’ changing interests. Together, the two companies added 405,000 subscribers in Q1 2018 via their streaming alternatives.

      However, subscriber growth isn’t translating to profit for the two companies, since DirecTV Now is cheap and AT&T offers numerous discounts to existing subscribers. Revenue in AT&T’s video entertainment segment dropped 7.3 percent, while operating income was down 16 percent.

      The cord-cutting phenomenon has had a significant impact on the value of cable company stocks, with multiple companies (including Charter and Comcast) suffering double-digit declines, FierceCable notes.

      “In a span of a few short months, cable has fallen badly out of favor,” Craig Moffett, media analyst with MoffettNathanson Research, wrote in a note to investors this week. “We don’t need to rehash the litany of horribles about video, broadband and M&A here. Suffice it to say that there is no cable company out there that hasn’t been painted with a black brush."

      Fed up with the high price of cable, more consumers are switching to video-on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Hulu -- and cable TV providers are...

      Hempler Foods Group recalls ready-to-eat pepperoni sticks

      The products contain milk, an allergen not declared on the label

      Hempler Foods Group of Ferndale, Wash., is recalling approximately 8,535 pounds of ready-to-eat pepperoni sticks.

      The products contain milk, an allergen not declared on the label.

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

      The following ready-to-eat pepperoni stick items, produced from April 20 through May 2, 2018, are being recalled:

      • 4 count/case of 2.25-lbs. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “PACKED ON” date 04/21/18 and “LOT # 8106.”
      • 4 count/case of 2.25-lbs. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “PACKED ON” date 04/26/18 and “LOT # 8113.”
      • 4 count/case of 2.25-lbs. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “PACKED ON” date 05/01/18 and “LOT # 8117B.”
      • 4 count/case of 2.25-lbs. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “PACKED ON” date 05/02/18 and “LOT # 8117B.”
      • 10 count/case of 9-oz. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “USE OR FREEZE BY” date 01/15/19 and “LOT # 8106.”
      • 10 count/case of 9-oz. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “USE OR FREEZE BY” date 01/16/19 and “LOT # 8106.”
      • 10 count/case of 9-oz. of “HEMPLER’S FAMILY CLASSIC PEPPERONI, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED” with “USE OR FREEZE BY” date 01/22/19 and “LOT # 8113.”

      The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 6410” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to distribution centers in California, Oregon, Utah and Washington, and then sent to retail stores.

      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 contact Arlie Jacobs at (360) 380-6684 or at Arlie.Jacobs@hemplers.com.

      Hempler Foods Group of Ferndale, Wash., is recalling approximately 8,535 pounds of ready-to-eat pepperoni sticks.The products contain milk, an allergen...

      Mercedes-Benz recalls 4Matics equipped with the Active Curve System

      Oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap

      Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling certain 9,725 model year 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matics and ML550 4Matics; model year 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matics and ML350 4Matics; model year 2013-2016 GL350 Bluetec 4Matics, GL550 4Matics and GL63 AMG 4Matics model year 2017 GLS350d 4Matics, GLS450 4Matics, GLS550 4Matics and GLS63 AMG 4Matics; model year 2015 ML400 4Matics; model year 2016 GLE400 4Matics, GLE350 4Matics, GLE63 AMG 4Matics, GLE63S AMG 4Matics, GLE450 4Matic Coupes and GLE63S AMG 4Matic Coupes; model year 2015-2016 GL450 4Matics and model year 2013-2014 GL450 4Matics equipped with the Active Curve System (ACS).

      Under certain driving conditions, if the oil level in the ACS reservoir is below the minimum level, the oil may foam and leak out of the vent holes in the reservoir cap.

      The leaking oil in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

      What to do

      MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will correct the oil level as necessary and replace the reservoir sealing cap to prevent oil foam from leaking out, free of charge.

      Owners will be notified of the recall with an interim notification in June 2018. A second letter will be mailed when the remedy is available, currently expected to be in August 2018.

      Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

      Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling certain 9,725 model year 2012-2014 ML350 Bluetec 4Matics and ML550 4Matics; model year 2012-2015 ML63 AMG 4Matics an...

      U.S., China call a truce in trade war

      Prices of many consumer products should remain stable

      The U.S. and China agreed over the weekend to put their simmering trade war on hold while they try to work out a long-term agreement on trade.

      The immediate result for consumers is price stability. The threat of tariffs imposed by both sides could have resulted in higher prices for consumer goods imported from China.

      Retaliation from China could also have affected U.S. industry, which in turn could have impacted employment. In response to U.S. tariffs, China could have responded with tariffs of its own, making things the U.S. sells to China more expensive to Chinese consumers, and ultimately reducing those sales.

      Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and other economic officials hit the Sunday talk shows, explaining the Trump administration's position and what would happen next. Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday that neither country will implement tariffs while they attempt to negotiate a framework both can live with.

      Growing trade deficit

      Right now, China sells $335 billion more in goods to the U.S. than America sells to China. Mnuchin says the Trump administration's goal is to reduce that imbalance. Previously, the U.S. demanded that China reduce its trade surplus by $155 billion, but the weekend statement from the negotiators did not set any specific trade deficit goal.

      There are other issues on the table as well. The U.S. has pressed China on its practice of requiring U.S. companies doing business in the country to turn over intellectual property, in some cases. It has also expressed concern about cyber attacks originating from China.

      Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the U.S. should continue to hold out for progress on those points. He said it isn't enough that China agrees to purchase more U.S. goods and services.

      “If President Xi is going ... to fail to take strong actions on intellectual property, cyber theft, and American companies having free access to sell goods in China ... we will have lost,” Schumer told Reuters.

      Larry Kudlow, President Trump's economic adviser, says it's too soon to try to hold China to specific targets for reducing the trade imbalance between the two countries. What's more important, he says, is the structural changes China is making, which he said will result in more U.S. exports to that country.

      The U.S. and China agreed over the weekend to put their simmering trade war on hold while they try to work out a long-term agreement on trade.The immed...