Current Events in October 2019

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    Regular drinkers are at a greater risk than binge drinkers for heart issues

    Drinking small amounts of alcohol more frequently could increase the risk for a common heart rhythm disorder

    A new study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology revealed that those who drink small amounts of alcohol on a regular basis could be at a greater risk of a common heart condition than those who binge drink. 

    The study found that regular drinkers are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, a heart arrhythmia that increases the risk for heart failure, stroke, and blood clots. 

    “Recommendations about alcohol consumption have focused on reducing the absolute amount rather than the frequency,” said researcher Dr. Jong-II Choi. “Our study suggests that drinking less often may also be important to protect against atrial fibrillation.” 

    How alcohol plays a role

    The researchers had over nine million people participate in the study, none of whom had atrial fibrillation at the onset. Starting in 2009 and ending in 2017, the participants received wellness exams administered by physicians and then reported on their alcohol consumption, giving the researchers ample time to evaluate their health status and determine what role alcohol played in their overall well-being. 

    Those who drank regularly, which the researchers established was once per day, were found to be 22 percent more likely to develop atrial fibrillation to non-drinkers. Moderate drinkers, who drank roughly once per week, increased their risk by less than eight percent. 

    The researchers noted that each additional gram of alcohol consumed over the course of the week was found to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation by two percent. 

    Focusing on prevention

    Dr. Choi explained that alcohol can disrupt the body’s normal sleeping patterns, which is also associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Health troubles can be exacerbated if those with atrial fibrillation continue to drink through their heart issues. 

    Moving forward, the researchers want to emphasize the importance of prevention, as doing everything possible to get on top of potential health concerns, especially a condition like atrial fibrillation, can be life saving. 

    “Atrial fibrillation is a disease with multiple dreadful complications and significantly impaired quality of life,” Dr. Choi said. “Preventing atrial fibrillation itself, rather than its complications, should be our first priority. Alcohol consumption is probably the most easily modifiable risk factor. To prevent new onset atrial fibrillation, both the frequency and the weekly amount of alcohol consumption should be reduced.” 

    A new study conducted by the European Society of Cardiology revealed that those who drink small amounts of alcohol on a regular basis could be at a greater...

    Samsung acknowledges fingerprint reader flaw affecting Galaxy devices

    The company says it will soon release a patch for a bug that lets anyone unlock a Galaxy S10 or Note 10 with a fingerprint

    Samsung has provided more details on a security flaw affecting some Galaxy devices.

    Earlier this week, users reported an issue with the fingerprint reader on Samsung’s Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 devices. The flaw could potentially let anyone unlock a phone with their own fingerprint. 

    Samsung explained on Friday that the bug was caused by an issue with the silicone cases that protect the devices’ screens. The issue made the phone act as if a valid fingerprint had been registered.  

    “This issue involved ultrasonic fingerprint sensors unlocking devices after recognizing 3-dimensional patterns appearing on certain silicone screen protecting cases as users’ fingerprints,” Samsung said in a statement. 

    A fix is on the way

    The company said it plans to release a software patch next week that will fix the issue. In the meantime, users are urged to refrain from using front screen protective covers in order to ensure “optimum fingerprint scanning.” 

    “To prevent any further issues, we advise that Galaxy Note10/10+ and S10/S10+/S10 5G users who use such covers to remove the cover, delete all previous fingerprints and newly register their fingerprints,” Samsung said. 

    After the update is released and installed, Samsung says users should plan to scan their fingerprint “in its entirety, so that all portions of your fingerprint, including the center and corners have been fully scanned.”

    Samsung has provided more details on a security flaw affecting some Galaxy devices.Earlier this week, users reported an issue with the fingerprint read...

    Uber and Lyft CEOs catch government flack for being no-shows at congressional hearing

    Lawmakers are telling the companies to clean up their act

    One would think that if the U.S. Congress asks someone to appear at a hearing, they would, right?

    It looks like the CEOs at Uber and Lyft don’t feel that way. The two transportation network company (TNC) executives made good on their threat to skip a congressional hearing on Thursday -- one in which the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure wanted to hear their answers on crucial labor, regulatory, and safety questions.

    Despite the CEOs’ no-show, the committee used the extra mic time to make its concerns known.

    “How these new technologies are integrated into our existing systems, and what rules TNCs must follow, must be carefully crafted to ensure that these services are a truly good option,” said Peter DeFazio (D-OR), the Chair of the committee. 

    “Lawmakers at the Federal, State, and local level need to think far beyond just whether this new service gets people from point A to point B. What this new business model means for public safety, jobs, emissions, transit service, and other factors must also be at the center of any policy decisions to allow these companies access to our infrastructure.”

    Getting control of the industry

    With Uber and Lyft holding a 98 percent share of the TNC market, Congress feels that it has to get ahead of the situation before it spirals out of its control.

    “Congress cannot avoid its responsibility to engage to investigate its role in overseeing this industry,” said Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) in her opening statement.

    Norton’s end-goal is decidedly pro-consumer; he wants Uber and Lyft to understand that having an “app that connects passengers and drivers through technology and hope for the best,” won’t cut it. “[We want to] ensure that the TNC mobility option actually delivers public service safety and equitability and operates in the interest of the public.”

    What are Uber and Lyft afraid of?

    In anticipation of the Uber and Lyft leaders showing up, the committee sent them a letter detailing the questions they would be asked. Those questions may have been the tipping point that scared the executives away.

    Here are some of the questions the committee wanted answered:

    • Regarding crimes against passengers: “Do you support making the number of reported crimes perpetrated by drivers against passengers you have received publicly available?”

    • Regarding local, state, or federal regulation: “Do you oppose TNC regulation and, if so, why?”

    • Regarding wages for its drivers: “If your business model is dependent on drivers generating a profit from ride-hailing services, how do you justify classifying drivers as independent from your company?”

    The takeaway

    The bottom line is pretty simple -- both Uber and Lyft are going to have to be more transparent about how they’re structured and how they’re protecting the public. 

    If the companies’ brass were watching the hearing live from their offices, they couldn’t escape DeFazio’s opening statement capper.

    “This hearing should put TNCs on notice that for their long-term survival, and for any hope of ever partnering with agencies who utilize Federal funds, they are going to have to clean up their acts.”

    One would think that if the U.S. Congress asks someone to appear at a hearing, they would, right?It looks like the CEOs at Uber and Lyft don’t feel tha...

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      Regular exposure to blue light from device screens could make you age more rapidly

      Consumers could still be in danger of these side effects even if the light doesn’t shine directly into their eyes

      For many consumers, it’s not uncommon to spend the majority of the day staring into your computer or phone screen. While that time in front of screens can be unavoidable, a new study conducted by researchers from Oregon State University found that it could also be damaging. 

      The study revealed that the blue light that emanates from nearly every electronic device can actually speed up the aging process for consumers, regardless of whether or not the light shines directly into their eyes. 

      “Human lifespan has increased dramatically over the past century as we’ve found ways to treat diseases, and at the same time we have been spending more and more time with artificial light,” said researcher Ellen Chow. “As science looks for ways to help people be healthier as they live longer, designing a healthier spectrum of light might be a possibility, not just in terms of sleeping better but in terms of overall health.” 

      Monitoring blue light exposure

      The researchers conducted their experiment on fruit flies, exposing them to a variety of different light patterns to best determine how blue light would affect their overall health. 

      To mimic what most humans experience on a daily basis, the experimental group of flies were kept in front of blue light for half of the day and then kept in complete darkness for the other half of the day. The other groups of flies were either exposed to specific light sources that had been filtered to remove blue light or were in total darkness for the duration of the study. 

      Blue light proved to be detrimental to the fruit flies, as the ones that were exposed to it for 12 hours per day died much earlier than the flies in either of the other two groups. 

      While these findings alone were surprising to the researchers, they also found that direct eye exposure to blue light wasn’t necessary to feel the effects, as some of the flies involved in the study had a genetic mutation that prevented their eyes from developing. When exposed to the blue light, these flies experienced brain damage and other motor issues. 

      After seeing how drastic the effects of blue light can be on fruit flies, the researchers suggest that consumers avoid it when possible. They suggest taking preventative measures, such as adjusting the settings on their devices or getting glasses with lenses that can filter out blue light. 

      “In the future, there may be phones that auto-adjust their display based on the length of usage the phone perceives,” said researcher Trevor Nash. “That kind of phone might be difficult to make, but it would probably have a big impact on health.”

      For many consumers, it’s not uncommon to spend the majority of the day staring into your computer or phone screen. While that time in front of screens can...

      UPS jumps onto Amazon's turf with fulfillment, shipping services for online merchants

      Competition in the online retail space is heating up

      Many people see Amazon as a giant crashing through the online retail jungle, killing and eating everything in sight. But it could be that Amazon is actually clearing the landscape for lots of new, small critters that have had a hard time finding a niche in the retail ecology. Case in point: UPS' announcement of its new fulfillment service for online retailers.

      "UPS eFulfillment combines proprietary e-commerce management technology with trusted, reliable UPS fulfillment and shipping to simplify multi-channel e-commerce sales. Our portal provides visibility to all your orders and inventory. You simply select how fast it needs to get to your customer—we do the rest," UPS said in an email to its customers today.

      Competition heats up in retail

      Of course, many might think that UPS is just preparing for the day when Amazon cuts back its shipping through UPS, now that Amazon has its own fleet of delivery vehicles. It has already cut its ties with FedEx and cut back its shipping through the U.S. Postal Service. That wouldn't be surprising. It's a common tactic in business: an invader wades onto your turf and you return the favor.

      You might say that Amazon has been to online retail what opioids were for the pharmaceutical business: consumers just can't get enough home shopping. While Amazon already offers fulfillment and shipping services to small merchants, it's a market that is regarded as having virtually no limits. While that may be bad news for storefront merchants, it offers new opportunities for experienced entrepreneurs and part-timers looking for a way to make a few spare bucks.

      The competition is already well underway. Shopify, a company that provides an online sales platform to more than 800,000 merchants, says it is spending $1 billion to build its own fulfillment network. When it's finished, retailers will be able to build their own online stores and obtain payment processing, inventory management, and shipping through Shopify. Although most consumers may not be familiar with its name, Shopify is already a $1 billion company and is expected to pass eBay any day now to become the second-largest e-commerce platform behind Amazon in sales volume.

      UPS is building much of its new service around shipping technology company Shippo, which has about 35,000 small and medium-sized business (SMBs) customers using its platform. With this new collaboration, Shippo will offer its users seamless UPS account creation and discounted UPS shipping rates.

      The UPS/Shippo collaboration allows merchants to connect multiple sales channels – including Wix, Magento, eBay, and Amazon – to manage all of their orders in one place. Not to be outdone, Shopify recently announced a collaboration with Splitit, a buy-now-pay-later service that will make it easier for merchants to sell to consumers who don't have credit cards or just don't want to use them.

      While food delivery services and car hailing apps get most of the press attention, these changes in the online retail environment are likely to have much more far-ranging effects on consumers' everyday lives.

      Many people see Amazon as a giant crashing through the online retail jungle, killing and eating everything in sight. But it could be that Amazon is actuall...

      Feds propose ban on infant inclined sleepers as reported death toll rises

      Pediatricians have long urged parents not to use these products

      The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is proposing a new rule that would virtually eliminate the sale of inclined sleepers, an infant bed that allows babies to sleep at a 30-degree angle.

      The American Academy of Pediatrics emphatically states that babies should sleep on flat surfaces, and now there’s mounting evidence that these inverted sleepers can be deadly.

      A study conducted for the CPSC found that babies have died in inclined sleepers despite pediatricians’ warnings over the years that the devices were not safe. The study suggests CPSC staff had failed to understand the risks and instead relied on assurances from industry sources that the devices were safe.

      Erin Mannen, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, led the study and found that the design of the inclined sleeper is not safe.

      Mannen says the risk is from suffocation. The researchers found that the inclined sleeper makes it easier for an infant to roll into a facedown position. If they lack the strength to roll over again they can suffocate.

      Same standard as for bassinets

      Mannen concluded that none of the inclined sleep products tested in the study were safe for infants. U.S. PIRG concurs, saying the product is inherently unsafe. The group says new CPSC rules would require future sleepers to meet the same standards used for bassinets

      “We have lost too many infant lives because dangerous inclined sleepers continued to be sold, despite the clear evidence they posed a real threat to infants’ lives,” said Grace Brombach, U.S. PIRG Consumer watchdog associate.  “We applaud the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for taking bold action to end the sale of inclined sleepers and urge them to adopt the rule quickly.”

      In July, Fisher-Price recalled 71,000 inclined sleeper accessories included with all models of Fisher-Price Ultra-Lite Day & Night Play Yards. At the time, the company said infant fatalities had been reported while using other inclined sleep products after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained or under other circumstances.

      Inclined sleepers are designed to position babies to sleep on an incline of between 10 and 30 degrees. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics has long warned that these products make it more likely that a child’s airway will become compressed, causing them to suffocate.

      As of October 4, the CPSC said it had received reports that 54 infant deaths had been linked to inclined sleep products.

      The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is proposing a new rule that would virtually eliminate the sale of inclined sleepers, an infant bed that allo...

      Foreclosure activity hits 14-year low

      Third-quarter foreclosure activity was down 19 percent from 2018

      Foreclosure activity -- default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions -- fell to a 14-year low in the third quarter of the year, suggesting significant stability in the housing market.

      ATTOM Data Solutions, which tracks housing data, reports that foreclosure activity was down 6 percent from the previous quarter and was 19 percent lower than the third quarter of 2018. It hit the lowest level since the second quarter of 2005.

      More stringent standards to qualify for a mortgage plus very low unemployment rates have combined to almost make foreclosure a rarity.

      "Foreclosure activity continues to decline across the country, which is a good sign that the housing market and the broader economy remain strong – and that the lending excesses that helped bring down the economy during the Great Recession remain a memory," said Todd Teta, chief product officer at ATTOM Data Solutions. 

      No reason for complacency

      But Teta says the latest report should not lead to complacency, noting that foreclosure activity can vary widely from state to state, city to city, and neighborhood to neighborhood.

      "Overall, the foreclosure numbers reflect a market in which buyers can afford their homes and lenders remain careful in loaning to home buyers who have little chance of repaying," he said.

      Foreclosures are highly disruptive to the housing market. When one house goes into foreclosure, the other houses in the neighborhood usually lose value. When several houses in a neighborhood go into default -- which happened frequently after the housing market crash -- it can be devastating and create situations where highly leveraged homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth.

      Troubling exceptions

      While the national trend shows far fewer foreclosures, there are troubling exceptions. Fourteen states actually saw foreclosure activity rise in the third quarter. It was up 33 percent in Montana, 32 percent in Georgia, 16 percent in Washington, and 15 percent in Louisiana.

      The highest rates of foreclosure occurred in Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida.

      Foreclosure happens when a homeowner defaults on a mortgage. The legal process can be lengthy from the time a foreclosure notice is filed to the time the lender auctions the property.

      In addition to defaulting on a mortgage, a homeowner may also lose a home to foreclosure by failing to pay property taxes.

      Foreclosure activity -- default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions -- fell to a 14-year low in the third quarter of the year, suggesting s...

      Gas prices remain flat despite falling oil prices

      Higher than normal demand has reduced fuel supplies

      The price of crude oil has fallen over the last few weeks, but that hasn’t been a huge help to consumers at the gas pump. The price rose slightly over the last week as demand for fuel remained strong.

      The AAA Fuel Gauge Survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $2.65 a gallon, a penny more than last Friday. But it remains 22 cents a gallon cheaper than at this time a year ago. The average price of premium is $3.26, also a penny more than a week ago. The average price of diesel fuel is right at $3 a gallon, about where it was seven days ago.

      While the national average hasn’t changed that much, prices around the nation cover an incredibly wide range. In several posts on Twitter, Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, reported that a station in Essex, Calif., is charging $6.24 a gallon for regular. Meanwhile, a station in Houston is selling it for $1.88 a gallon.

      California’s supply problems over the last couple of weeks appear to have moved up the coast. Oregon’s statewide average price for regular is up eight cents a gallon in the last week, while the price is six cents higher in Washington.

      Elsewhere, unseasonally strong demand for gasoline has put a strain on supplies and kept the price from falling very much in most regions. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that total U.S. gasoline supplies fell by 2.6 million barrels last week and are eight million barrels lower than at this time last year.

      California’s average gasoline price remains significantly higher than the rest of the country and is 50 cents higher than the next most-expensive state, Hawaii. It’s $1.51 more than the national average price.

      The states with the most expensive regular gas

      These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Survey:

      • California ($4.16)

      • Hawaii ($3.66)

      • Nevada ($3.44)

      • Washington ($3.37) 

      • Oregon ($3.29) 

      • Alaska ($3.04)

      • Arizona ($2.91)

      • Utah ($2.75)

      • Idaho ($2.82) 

      • Illinois ($2.76)

      The states with the cheapest regular gas

      The survey found these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

      • South Carolina ($2.30)

      • Louisiana ($2.26)

      • Mississippi ($2.27)

      • Texas ($2.30)

      • Alabama ($2.30)

      • South Carolina ($2.30)

      • Arkansas ($2.31)

      • Virginia ($2.32)

      • Missouri ($2.32)

      • Oklahoma ($2.33)

      • Tennessee ($2.35)

      The price of crude oil has fallen over the last few weeks, but that hasn’t been a huge help to consumers at the gas pump. The price rose slightly over the...

      YOUBITE recalls pork and turkey sausages

      The products contain either natural sheep or natural pork casings

      YOUBITE of Camarillo, Calif., is recalling approximately 7,197 pounds of raw and ready-to-eat, pork and turkey sausages.

      The products contain either natural sheep or natural pork casings not declared on the label.

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

      The following items, produced from October 9, 2018, to October 9, 2019, are being recalled:

      • 0.8-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing fully cooked, ready-to-eat, “YOUBITE Rheinlaender Fully cooked and smoked pork links” with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.
      • 0.8-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing raw “YOUBITE Irish Bratwurst” sausages with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.
      • 0.75-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing raw “YOUBITE German Lollipop Bratwurst” sausages with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.
      • 1-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing fully cooked, ready-to-eat, “YOUBITE Turkey Knacks Wieners” with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.
      • 1-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing fully cooked, ready-to-eat “YOUBITE Nurnbergs Turkey Brats” with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.
      • 1-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing fully cooked, ready-to-eat, “YOUBITE Grillwurst Turkey Brats” with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.
      • 1-lb. vacuum-sealed packages containing fully cooked, ready-to-eat, “YOUBITE Spicy Grillwurst Turkey Bratwurst” with lot numbers that end in “100918” through “100919”.

      The recalled products, bearing establishment number “M-45475” or “P-45475” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were sold to consumers at farmers markets in Southern California.

      What to do

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

      Consumers with questions may contact Carina Mohr at (805) 443-9617.

      YOUBITE of Camarillo, Calif., is recalling approximately 7,197 pounds of raw and ready-to-eat, pork and turkey sausages.The products contain either nat...

      Toyota completes safety recall involving Takata airbag inflators

      More than 900k vehicles are involved

      Toyota is conducting the final phase of the safety recall involving Takata airbag inflators.

      The recall involves approximately, 928,000 including:

      • Model year 2003-2013 Corollas,
      • Model year 2009-2010 Corolla Matrixs,
      • Model year 2008-2012 Scion xBs,
      • Model year 2002-2007 Sequoias,
      • Model year 2011-2013 Siennas,
      • Model year 2010-2016 4Runners,
      • Model year 2004-2005 RAV4s,
      • Model year 2003-2006 Tundras,
      • Model year 2007-2012 Yaris,
      • Model year 2007-2012 Year Lexus ES 350s,
      • Model year 2010-2017 Lexus GX 460s,
      • Model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS 250/IS 350s,
      • Model year 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250C/IS 350Cs,
      • Model year 2008-2009 Lexus IS Fs and
      • Model year 2002-2010 Lexus SC 430s.

      The recalled vehicles were repaired under a previous Takata airbag inflator recall with non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate front passenger or driver airbag inflators produced by Takata, because final remedy inflators were not yet available.

      This is known as a “like for like” repair. The previously installed inflators will now be replaced by inflators produced by other suppliers.

      What to do

      Toyota will notify owners and, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger or driver airbag inflator, or the airbag assembly at no cost to owners.

      The recall is expected to being in mid-December, 2019.

      Owners may call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Lexus at (800) 255-3987

      Toyota is conducting the final phase of the safety recall involving Takata airbag inflators.The recall involves approximately, 928,000 including:...

      Juul facing wrongful death suit linked to its products

      The mother of a deceased teenager has accused the company of ‘substantially’ contributing to her son’s death

      Juul has been hit with a wrongful death suit following the death of a teenager who “became intensely addicted” to the e-cigarette maker’s nicotine products. 

      The complaint, filed by the mother of 18-year-old Florida resident Daniel David Wakefield, accuses Juul of causing the teen’s death through its marketing campaign. The company has faced significant criticism over its marketing campaign, which lawmakers and health officials claim deliberately targeted youth users.

      Juul recently agreed to stop advertising its products altogether in the U.S. while cases of a mysterious lung illness linked to vaping are being investigated. 

      Years of Juul use

      In the wrongful death suit filed on Tuesday, Wakefield’s mother claims her son’s behavior changed “dramatically” after being exposed to Juul advertising in 2015. She claims he gradually became “intensely addicted” to the company’s products. 

      Within a year of starting to vape, the teen ended up hospitalized for three days. In August 2018, he was found in an unresponsive state by his father. The previously healthy teenager’s death was ultimately pinned on “breathing complications.” The complaint notes that the death occurred after a day that included moving boxes. 

      The suit accuses Juul of “wrongful conduct in marketing, promoting, manufacturing, designing, and selling JUUL.” The plaintiff is seeking compensatory, punitive, and other damages related to Wakefield’s death, which Juul is accused of “substantially” contributing to.  

      Lung illnesses under investigation

      The CDC said last week that the vaping-related death toll in the U.S. had increased to 26, and the number of illnesses had been raised to 1,299. Health authorities are currently trying to find a specific cause of the illnesses, but vaping has so far been a common thread among all of the illnesses and deaths. 

      Most of the confirmed cases of lung injuries have involved patients who reported using THC-containing products. However, some reported using only nicotine vaping products. 

      Lawmakers and health officials are particularly concerned about the rise in youth use of the products over the past few years. Around 15 percent of those who either got sick or died are under the age of 18, and 21 percent are 18 to 20 years old, according to the CDC. 

      Juul has been hit with a wrongful death suit following the death of a teenager who “became intensely addicted” to the e-cigarette maker’s nicotine products...

      United Auto Workers reach agreement with GM to end strike

      The walkout lasted one month

      The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement with General Motors to end a one-month-long strike.

      The union announced the new development in a very brief announcement.

      “We just reached a Tentative Agreement with GM a short time ago, today, Wednesday, October 16, 2019,” the union announced Wednesday afternoon. “We will go over the details when the Council meets tomorrow morning in Detroit.

      “On behalf of the entire staff here in Negotiations, we want to thank you for your support," the announcement continued. "In the meantime, continue the picket lines until after the UAW-GM National Council concludes business tomorrow, Thursday, October 17, 2019, and then you will receive further instructions.”

      The union went on strike against GM last month after extending its contacts with Ford and FCA. The strike put 46,000 workers off the job at more than 50 GM facilities in the U.S. The union said its members voted to walk out after it became apparent that the two sides were not getting anywhere. The union is seeking to make up some of the ground it lost when it made concessions to all the automakers in the wake of the financial crisis.

      “We stood up for General Motors when they needed us most. Now we are standing together in unity and solidarity for our members, their families and the communities where we work and live,” UAW Vice President Terry Dittes said last month.

      GM cost-cutting

      The walkout also comes amid GM belt-tightening that has involved the closing of some U.S. facilities. Last November, GM announced it was phasing out some of its sedans and transitioning to the automotive future, where consumers are purchasing fewer cars and being more discerning about the vehicles they buy.

      Some analysts said the strike, the first in a decade, was over the industry’s move toward electric cars, which will require fewer employees. But GM said its contract offer did not reflect any change in employment needs and included more than $7 billion in new investments that it says will produce more than 5,000 jobs.

      “We presented a strong offer that improves wages, benefits and grows U.S. jobs in substantive ways, GM said las month. We have negotiated in good faith and with a sense of urgency. Our goal remains to build a strong future for our employees and our business.”

      U.S. auto sales have been in a slow slide since the last contract four years ago, and the companies may feel less generous. Union negotiators, meanwhile, point to the strong sales and profits the carmakers enjoyed over the previous four years.

      The United Auto Workers union has reached a tentative agreement with General Motors to end a one-month-long strike.The union announced the new developm...

      Netflix not worried about competition in streaming market

      The company says the launch of Apple TV+ and Disney+ won’t impact its long-term growth

      On Thursday, Netflix released its third quarter earnings report and said in an accompanying letter to shareholders that it’s not particularly worried about the November launch of Apple TV+ and Disney+. 

      While the new streaming services do represent “increased competition,” Netflix said the soon-to-launch services won’t offer consumers the same amount and selection of content that it currently does. 

      “The upcoming arrival of services like Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Peacock is increased competition, but we are all small compared to linear TV,” the company said. “While the new competitors have some great titles (especially catalog titles), none have the variety, diversity, and quality of new original programming that we are producing around the world.” 

      ‘Modest headwind’ 

      The streaming giant said the rollout of Apple TV+ (on November 1) and Disney+ (on November 12) may bring “some modest headwind” to its near-term growth. However, it expects to bounce back and “grow nicely” in the long term. 

      CEO Reed Hastings said the newcomers to the streaming market don’t represent a “big change” in the competitive landscape, but he admits that linear TV providers do still pose a threat. 

      “We’re all relatively small compared to linear TV,” Hastings said, according to CNBC. “So we’re not really competing with each other, but with broadcast.”

      With new services on the way, Hastings predicted that more consumers will begin subscribing to multiple streaming services because of their unique content offerings. As a result, they’ll stop paying for linear TV and have more to spend on streaming services. 

      “In our view, the likely outcome from the launch of these new services will be to accelerate the shift from linear TV to on demand consumption of entertainment,” he said. 

      On Thursday, Netflix released its third quarter earnings report and said in an accompanying letter to shareholders that it’s not particularly worried about...

      Users complain that Apple’s software update causes more problems than it’s fixing

      For those who are experiencing problems, the best move may be to just grin and bear it

      The much-ballyhooed new iPhone isn’t turning out to be the Apple of the consumer’s eye -- especially those who’ve downloaded the phone’s new software, iOS13.1.2.

      While Apple’s pitch that “iOS 13 and iPadOS make your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch more powerful, personal, and protected than ever,” reports are pouring in from consumers who are experiencing some powerfully and personally bad issues instead.

      The issues run the gamut, ranging from battery drain -- a problem that was supposed to be fixed months ago -- to incessant call dropping, to shutting down internet pages for no apparent reason.

      “This 13.1.2 version is a disaster,” posted one Facebook user. “[It] has ruined the ease of correcting text character by character. Have had to reboot twice to attempt to correct.” Singing to the choir of disgruntled users, another wrote “Apple iOS 13.1.2 downloaded, and I regret it. Very little seems to work right.” 

      The fix is NOT in

      Apple’s software update was meant to fix several issues. Some of these include: 

      • An issue where the camera on their iPhone camera may not function as it normally does

      • Problems with the flashlight 

      • For those who use iCloud Backup, the repair of a bug where the progress bar might show that the backup is still in progress even though the backup was already finished.

      • And, for consumers who use their iPhone while driving, an issue where the Bluetooth connection might mysteriously disconnect

      If you’re someone caught up in Apple’s promises not matching your device’s performance, it may be smart just to stop where you are and let Apple get its act together before updating your system.

      “So while I’d love to advise iPhone owners to upgrade to iOS 13 for all the great secret features Apple has hidden, this is easily trumped by the priority of having a working handset afterwards,” suggests Forbes consumer tech reporter, Gordon Kelly. “That’s also to say nothing of iOS mysteriously downgrading your accessories and making your repairs come back to haunt you.”

      But what about those who have already installed the update? The answer, though unsatisfying, may be to just grin and bear it. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer a way to automatically revert to an older version of the system software.

      The much-ballyhooed new iPhone isn’t turning out to be the Apple of the consumer’s eye -- especially those who’ve downloaded the phone’s new software, iOS1...

      Doctors worry the war on opioids will trigger the next drug crisis

      A survey finds many doctors worry that patients are seeking pain relief with illegal drugs

      As states and municipalities win huge judgments and settlements against opioid drug companies, many doctors worry about the flip side of the equation. What happens when patients who suffer intense pain can’t get adequate relief medication? Does it trigger the next drug crisis?

      A new survey by Health Trends and Quest Diagnostics found that 62 percent of primary care physicians have that concern. Nearly three-quarters think their patients might turn to illegal drugs if they don’t have access to strong prescription painkillers. 

      A large majority of the health care providers said they needed more training on how best to help patients manage the use of opioids, including how to stop using them. 

      Widespread misuse

      In the survey, the doctors freely admitted that the widespread use of opioids has created a health care disaster. They report that lab results of patients who are legally taking an opioid have shown that 51 percent are taking too much or otherwise misusing the drugs. One in four patients has shown signs of dangerous drug mixing.

      "Quest Diagnostics undertook this research so that we could provide insights into the evolving drug crisis and the potential role of physicians' perspectives about their patients in drug misuse and use disorders," said report co-author Dr. Harvey W. Kaufman, senior medical director at Quest Diagnostics.

      "We found that primary care physicians, who are on the front lines of the drug epidemic, are well-intentioned but under-prepared and may miss some of the drug misuse risks affecting their patients, as reflected by our nationally representative laboratory data."

      Nearly all physicians -- 95 percent -- said they feel confident in their ability to discuss risks of prescription drug misuse with patients. But far fewer -- only 55 percent -- said they have actually discussed potential misuse with their patients and the dangers it poses.

      Lack of, or misleading information

      The basis for the thousands of lawsuits against drug manufacturers has been tied to misleading marketing information about opioid drugs. Plaintiffs say this alleged misinformation has kept both patients and their health care providers in the dark.

      A study published earlier this year by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, part of the National Institutes of Health, addressed the twin problems -- opioid addiction and effective pain management.

      “Responding successfully to these challenges requires a substantial investment in surveillance and research on many fronts and a coordinated policy response by federal and state agencies and stakeholder organizations,” the authors wrote.

      Opioids have been widely used to treat post-operative pain, as well as pain associated with chronic illnesses like cancer. The study says that need still exists, but pain management has been slow to evolve beyond the use of highly-addictive drugs.

      As states and municipalities win huge judgments and settlements against opioid drug companies, many doctors worry about the flip side of the equation. What...

      Older workers increasingly care for aging parents and support adult children

      A new retirement study shows challenges for the ‘sandwich generation’ still exist

      Younger consumers in the workplace often say it’s hard to save for retirement because their daily expenses take all of their paycheck. They sometimes envy their older co-workers who seem better prepared for retirement.

      But a new survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute shows this group, made up of older Gen Xers and younger baby boomers, has a completely different set of retirement challenges.

      Sometimes called “the sandwich generation,” this group must often provide care -- including financial support -- to both adult children and aging parents at a time when they are on the cusp of retirement. 

      The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that 38 percent of adults over age 50 currently have or have had their adult children living with them. Sixteen percent have had a parent living in their household. A significant number said the financial challenges of supporting an adult child or aging parent is a concern.

      "Today's reality is hard for older adults caring for aging parents or adult children, as they will likely be caregivers and need a caregiver themselves in the not too distant future," said Kristi Rodriguez, vice president of thought leadership for Nationwide Financial. 

      Financial crisis made things worse

      This problem has grown since the financial crisis of 2008. A 2013 Pew Research Center study found that nearly half of adults in their 40s and 50s had a parent age 65 or older and were either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child.

      In findings that line up with the Nationwide survey, the Pew study found about 15 percent of these middle-aged adults were providing financial support to both an aging parent and an adult  child.

      According to the Pew researchers, adult children are the bigger financial strain. In 2013, 48 percent of middle-aged adults had provided support to an adult child. In 2005, before the financial crisis, that number was much lower -- 21 percent.

      A recent Forbes article suggests today’s younger workers who find it hard to sock money away for retirement likely face the same future as their older peers. Now in their 30s and 40s, this group may soon find itself having to care for both aging parents and adult children -- and many of them will be without the help of comfortable retirement savings.

      Younger consumers in the workplace often say it’s hard to save for retirement because their daily expenses take all of their paycheck. They sometimes envy...

      FCC gives formal approval to T-Mobile/Sprint merger

      A 3-2 vote on Wednesday was split along party lines

      The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday gave its official approval to the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, voting 3-2 to approve the deal. The vote was split along party lines, with the FCC’s two Democratic Commissioners voting against the $26.5 billion acquisition, Reuters noted. 

      Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel reiterated her concerns about the takeover in an op-ed for The Atlantic, saying that the deal would reduce the number of major wireless carriers in the U.S. to three. In a piece published Wednesday morning, Rosenworcel argued that the merger would negatively impact competition and increase prices for consumers. 

      “These state officials understand something fundamental: With less competition, rates rise and innovation falls. All the evidence demonstrates that this holds true in the mobile-phone industry too,” Rosenworcel wrote. “If this merger succeeds, consumers will pay the price.”

      Geoffrey Starks, the other Democratic Commissioner who voted against the merger, said that last month there was “no credible way that the merger before us can proceed” until Sprint could be investigated for allegedly misappropriating Lifeline subsidy funds for around 885,000 consumers who weren’t active subscribers of Sprint’s service. 

      Republican Commissioners vote in favor

      In contrast to the Democratic board members, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has said that he’s fully on board with merger, which was approved by the Justice Department over the summer. 

      Pai says the deal will support two of the FCC’s top priorities of “closing the digital divide in rural America and advancing United States leadership in 5G.” T-Mobile has promised to build out rural broadband and 5G, sell its Boost prepaid brand, and keep prices on hold for three years. 

      The other Republican commissioners, Brendan Carr and Michael O’Rielly, have also said they support the takeover and voted to approve the deal. 

      Opposition from states

      The deal still faces opposition from a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, who have filed a lawsuit seeking to block the so-called “anticompetitive megamerger.” 

      The states involved in the suit are New York, California, Texas, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. 

      Neither the DOJ or the FCC will close the merger until the suit is resolved. 

      The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday gave its official approval to the merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, voting 3-2 to approve the de...

      Sugary drinks made up over 60 percent of children’s drink sales last year

      Researchers say sugary drink sales remained high throughout 2018

      Despite policies that have been created with the goal of limiting kids’ sugar intake via sweetened drinks, a new study conducted by researchers from the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity identified a trend among young people’s beverage choices. 

      The researchers found that sugary drinks comprised over 60 percent of all children’s drink sales over the last year.

      “Beverage companies have said they want to be part of the solution to childhood obesity, but they continue to market sugar-sweetened children’s drinks directly to young children on TV and through packages designed to get their attention in the store,” said researcher Jennifer L. Harris, PhD. “Parents may be surprised to know that pediatricians, dentists, and other nutrition experts recommend against serving any of these drinks to children.” 

      Understanding the labels

      To get a better sense of the advertising that goes into kids’ drinks, as well as the sales and the nutrition facts, the researchers assessed both sugar-sweetened drinks -- such as drink mixes and soda -- and unsweetened drinks -- like sparkling water. 

      While the overwhelmingly high sugar-sweetened drink sales were the primary takeaway from their study, the researchers also noticed a great deal of confusion surrounding the nutrition labels on these drinks. Many of the marketing methods used to draw kids to these products were also confusing to consumers. 

      Not only were sugary drinks dominating commercial time for children, but the study also revealed that labels on children’s drinks can be incredibly misleading, especially for parents looking to make healthy choices for their kids. 

      Of the companies involved in this study, all of which made at least $10 million in sales in 2018, the researchers found that promises of low sugar or no sugar came with additional low-calorie sweeteners, which companies had failed to print on the front of the labels. 

      “You shouldn’t have to be a nutritionist to figure out whether or not a product is healthy for your child,” said researcher Maria Romo-Palafox, PhD. “The fronts of packages make children’s drinks look healthy, but there’s no way to know which ones have added sugars or low-calorie sweeteners reading the front. You have to read the nutrition facts panel on the back and you have to know the names of low-calorie sweeteners, such as acesulfame potassium and sucralose, to realize they are in the product.” 

      Despite the high sugar content found in many of these drinks, and the extra work required on parents’ part to see past pictures of fruit or popular cartoon characters, the researchers hope that parents take necessary steps to ensure that their kids are following as many healthy habits as possible.

      Despite policies that have been created with the goal of limiting kids’ sugar intake via sweetened drinks, a new study conducted by researchers from the UC...

      Spanish-speaking children learn English faster when parents read to them in their native language

      Researchers are busting the myth that multiple languages can confuse kids in the classroom

      Researchers from the University of Delaware have found that reading to Spanish-speaking children in their native language can help them better understand the English language. Their study shows that these children are more likely to excel in reading and writing in English when exposed to their native tongue at an early age.

      “This suggests that well-developed Spanish reading proficiency early on likely plays a greater role in English reading development than a student’s proficiency in speaking English,” said researcher Steven Amendum.

      Seeing a boost in reading levels

      Amendum and his team evaluated students from the time they were in kindergarten until they were in the fourth grade. All participants were read to by their parents in Spanish and were reading on their own to try to master English. 

      Ultimately, the study revealed that early exposure to Spanish was crucial to children developing sharper English reading and speaking skills. This came as a surprise to the researchers because of how young the children were at the beginning of the study. 

      “Many studies have shown cross-language transfer but not necessarily at such an early age, and we are not aware of any studies that have shown how that influence lasts across such a long learning spectrum,” Amendum said. 

      Students who weren’t as advanced in their Spanish reading at a younger age were more likely to continue to fall behind as they got older in both reading and speaking English. However, those with a stronger grasp of reading Spanish not only caught up to expected reading and speaking levels in English, but they eventually outperformed other Spanish readers. 

      According to the researchers, this study highlights the importance of maintaining the native language, as it can be crucial to kids’ development and understanding of other languages. 

      “We can’t ignore native language,” said Amendum. “Helping kids become bilingual and biliterate is always a great long-term outcome for kids. We want to support a child’s native early reading and language skills, and to help teachers and families understand how they can use a first language to help students learn a second language, while continuing to develop their native language.” 

      Researchers from the University of Delaware have found that reading to Spanish-speaking children in their native language can help them better understand t...

      Ford recalls model year 2019 Ford Rangers

      The HVAC blower motor may overheat, melt, smoke or cause a fire

      Ford Motor Company is recalling about 19,500 model year 2019 Ford Rangers sold in the U.S., and Canada.

      The HVAC blower motor may have been built with an improper clearance between an electrical terminal and the conductive base-plate slot that may result in a resistive electrical short.

      This can increase the risk of the HVAC blower motor overheating, melting, smoking or causing a fire.

      Ford says it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition, but says the was one customer warranty report of smoke while driving that is potentially related to this concern.

      What to do

      Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HVAC blower motor and replace at no charge to owners it if it is within the suspect part production dates.

      Owners may contact Ford at (866) 436-7332. Ford's reference number for this recall is19S34.

      Ford Motor Company is recalling about 19,500 model year 2019 Ford Rangers sold in the U.S., and Canada.The HVAC blower motor may have been built with a...