Current Events in April 2022

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2022

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    Mastercard is teaming up with Microsoft to improve online shopping

    The goal is to reduce merchant losses while improving the consumer experience

    Online shopping is convenient for consumers, but criminals like it too. Since they don’t need to physically possess a stolen credit card, they can easily make what appears to be legitimate purchases if they have a consumer’s credit card information, which is often bought and sold on the dark web.

    To combat the problem, Mastercard is teaming up with Microsoft on a new technology to more easily verify that the purchaser is who they say they are. The companies say merchants will lose less money to fraudsters and consumers will enjoy a more seamless transaction experience.

    According to the companies, a digital fraud that has emerged in recent years is “first-party fraud.” That’s when a legitimate purchase is made online but then later disputed. First-party fraud is estimated to cost merchants worldwide as much as $50 billion.

    "Shopping online should be simple, quick and secure but that isn't always the case,” said Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber and Intelligence at Mastercard. “We're committed to developing advanced identity and fraud technology to help enhance the real-time intelligence we provide to financial institutions around the globe. This builds on our longstanding commitment of working across the industry to provide advanced technologies that enable trust, and help build a safe and thriving digital ecosystem for all."

    Digital Transaction Insights

    Mastercard says it has already taken steps in that direction. It has combined its Digital Transaction Insights solution with next-generation authentication that allows for real-time decision-making.

    That system links Mastercard's network insights with the merchant's own data to confirm that the consumer is who they claim to be. It also provides financial institutions with additional intelligence needed to optimize their authorization decisions.

    For consumers, it could mean fewer texts from their credit card company asking if they made a particular purchase. Mastercard says Digital Transaction Insights is already used across a wide range of online checkout functions, from click-to-pay transactions to digital wallets.

    Microsoft brings its Dynamics 365 Fraud Protection to the table. Its proprietary risk assessment leverages adaptive AI to enable real-time fraud detection by identifying risky behaviors.

    According to Microsoft, this will help credit card issuers make better decisions when it comes to requests for authorizations, chargebacks, and refunds. The result, it says, is a smoother process for consumers and fewer losses for merchants.

    Online shopping is convenient for consumers, but criminals like it too. Since they don’t need to physically possess a stolen credit card, they can easily m...

    Tree-filled spaces can help improve child development, study finds

    Experts say spaces with more trees are better than grassy or paved areas

    A new study conducted by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health explored how different environments may impact how kids grow. 

    According to their findings, living close to spaces with trees may be better than grassy or paved areas for children’s long-term development. 

    “Our findings indicate that increased early-life residential exposure to vegetation is positively associated with early childhood developmental outcomes, and that associations may be stronger for residential exposure to tree cover relative to grass cover,” the researchers wrote. “Our results further indicate that childhood development may be negatively associated with residential exposure to paved surfaces.”  

    Environment impacts development

    For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 27,500 children who were part of a large birth cohort study in the Vancouver area between 2000 and 2005. The study tracked the children’s development from the time they were born through kindergarten.

    By the time they were five, the participants' kindergarten teachers reported on their communication skills, emotional maturity, physical health and well-being, general knowledge, and language and cognitive development. In looking at maps of where the children lived, the team was able to compare their developmental outcomes to their residential areas. 

    They learned that children were more likely to have high developmental scores when they had the greatest exposure to greenery – including trees and grass. However, the best association between environment and development came when children lived the closest to tree-filled spaces.

    While green spaces were found to be beneficial for kids’ development, the opposite was also found to be true. Children who lived in areas that were heavily paved were more likely to have lower developmental scores. 

    “Because we assessed different types of vegetation, our findings contribute to an improved understanding of associations between exposure to green spaces and early childhood development,” said researcher Ingrid Jarvis. 

    Converting paved spaces may be the answer

    Moving forward, the team hopes these findings highlight the benefits associated with living close to green spaces – especially those that have a lot of trees. 

    “Taken together, our findings suggest that converting paved surfaces to green spaces and, in particular, increasing the amount of trees in neighborhoods may have positive effects on early childhood health and development,” said researcher Matilda van Bosch. “Even minor individual gains in childhood could lead to important public health benefits across the life course.” 

    A new study conducted by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health explored how different environments may impact how kids grow. Accor...

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      Reducing smartphone screen time may improve well-being, study finds

      Consumers don’t need to totally ditch their phones, but cutting back can be beneficial

      A new study conducted by researchers from Ruhr University explored how consumers’ smartphone use may affect their health. According to their findings, reducing time spent on smartphones over the long term can work to improve consumers’ overall well-being

      “The smartphone is both a blessing and a curse,” said researcher Julia Brailovskaia. “It’s not necessary to completely give up the smartphone to feel better. There may be an optimal daily usage time.” 

      Limiting smartphone use

      The researchers divided over 600 participants into three groups for the study. One group of participants didn’t use their phones at all for one week, a second group reduced their smartphone use by one hour each day, and a third group didn’t change their behavior with their phones. The researchers then interviewed the participants one month and four months later to learn about their lifestyles, mental health, and their life satisfaction. 

      Ultimately, the researchers learned that cutting back on time spent on smartphones was beneficial. The participants reported less anxiety and depression symptoms and an overall healthier lifestyle. Spending less time on smartphones led to more physical activity and less cigarette smoking.

      “We found that both completely giving up the smartphone and reducing its daily use by one hour had positive effects on the lifestyle and well-being of the participants,” said Brailovskaia. “In the group who reduced use, these effects even lasted longer and were thus more stable than in the abstinence group.” 

      The researchers explained that there isn’t a set rule for consumers when it comes to how much time they should spend on their phones. The study showed that the group that cut back smartphone use by one hour each day during the study had limited their screen time by about 45 minutes within the first four months of the study. 

      The team hopes consumers understand that they don’t need to stop using their smartphones entirely. Instead, cutting back on smartphone use can help consumers long-term. 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Ruhr University explored how consumers’ smartphone use may affect their health. According to their findings, redu...

      Ford recalls 650,000 SUVs and pickup trucks

      The windshield wipers may fail

      Motor Company is recalling 652,996 model year 2020-2021 F-150s & Expeditions, model year 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, F-450s & F-550s, and model year 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigators.

      The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

      Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 23, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

      Motor Company is recalling 652,996 model year 2020-2021 F-150s & Expeditions, model year 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250s, F-350s, F-450s & F-550s, and model ye...

      Massive Android hack compromises device cameras and microphones

      Android users should update their software immediately to protect themselves

      Android users around the world are facing the threat of being attacked after a security issue was uncovered that leaves a device’s microphone and camera vulnerable to remote access.

      Writing about its discovery, Check Point Software Technologies said hackers could leverage the vulnerability to snoop on users' audio/video media and even listen in on phone calls.

      The phones that are most prone to danger are ones that have Qualcomm or MediaTek chips. Unfortunately, 98% of Android devices are powered by those two processors, so the impact could be enormous.

      Closing the vulnerability

      The Check Point researchers stated that they disclosed their findings to both chipmakers, and each company has apparently patched the security issue. However, anyone who has an Android device will need to update their system software to keep their device secure.

      Failing to apply the update could be especially dangerous since all it would take is for a hacker to send someone a doctored audio file to compromise their device.

      "The...issues our researchers found could be used by an attacker for remote code execution attack (RCE) on a mobile device through a malformed audio file," the researchers explained. "RCE attacks allow an attacker to remotely execute malicious code on a computer. The impact of an RCE vulnerability can range from malware execution to an attacker gaining control over a user’s multimedia data, including streaming from a compromised machine’s camera.

      "In addition, an unprivileged Android app could use these vulnerabilities to escalate its privileges and gain access to media data and user conversations."

      Android users around the world are facing the threat of being attacked after a security issue was uncovered that leaves a device’s microphone and camera vu...

      Coronavirus update: WHO endorses Paxlovid

      A new mRNA vaccine has shown good results in a trial

      COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,854,446 (80,804,068)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 990, 691 (990,237)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 508,013,743 (507,165,448)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,213,459 (6,209,165)‌

      WHO endorses Pfizer’s treatment drug

      If you become infected with COVID-19 and are a member of a vulnerable group, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that your doctor prescribe Paxlovid, an antiviral drug created by Pfizer.

      The international health agency said it is making a “strong recommendation” for the drug after trials showed that it was highly effective at keeping people out of the hospital. In the trial, it reduced the risk of high-risk patients being admitted to a hospital by 85%.

      The drug is a combination of two other drugs – nirmatrelvir and ritonavir – and is currently used to treat people with mild and moderate cases of COVID-19, but at risk of hospital admission. In its endorsement, the WHO called Paxlovid the “best therapeutic choice for high-risk patients to date.”

      New mRNA vaccine shows good results in trial

      Arcturus Therapeutics, based in San Diego, reports positive results of its new mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. In a clinical trial involving 17,000 people, the company said it showed 55% efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 and provided 95% efficacy against severe illness and death. 

      The company cited what it said were other advantages when compared to the vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna. It’s easier to store and is “self-amplyfying,” allowing for smaller doses.

      “This represents a key milestone for the company and provides significant clinical validation of our STARR platform,” said Joseph Payne, CEO of Arcturus Therapeutics. “We believe self-amplifying mRNA combined with our LUNAR delivery technology will create a path to better mRNA medicines.” 

      Mandates vary by location

      The overturning of the federal travel mask mandate has created some confusion about where and when to put on a mask. Some local leaders have their own ideas.

      Starting today, masks will be required on all Los Angeles County mass transit services. New York never ended its mass transit mask mandate, with Gov. Kathy Hochul extending it “for a short time.”

      In Philadelphia, days after reinstating an indoor mask mandate for public spaces, city officials have announced that they are dropping the mandate again starting Monday. Mayor Jim Kenney cited decreasing hospitalizations and falling case counts as the reason for the shift.

      Around the nation

      • Missouri: State Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Lincoln Hough of Springfield won committee support for cutting $500,000 from Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s budget because of his aggressive lawsuits against localities enforcing COVID-19 rules. “As our attorney general continues to sue most of the citizens of this state, I don’t know why we are giving him another half million dollars,” Hough said.

      • Pennsylvania: New cases are spreading quickly across Pennsylvania, health officials report. In the most recent tally, cases were up nearly 30%. Despite that, Pennsylvania still ranks 23rd among states with the fastest transmission of the virus.

      • South Carolina: Health officials are cautiously optimistic that the state has turned the corner on COVID-19. Cases in the Charleston Tri-county area were both low and stable over the past week, according to the Medical University of South Carolina’s COVID-19 Epidemiology Intelligence Project. 

      • Maryland: Maryland is apparently a good place to be if you want to avoid the coronavirus. In a ranking of the 50 states, based on five metrics, Maryland led all states with a score of 80.79. The metrics include transmission rate, positivity rates, hospitalizations, deaths, and percentage of eligible residents vaccinated.

      • Alaska: Cruise line operators planning to visit Alaskan ports this summer have said they will require most passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The virus avoidance protocols have been made optional since last summer, but all lines have indicated that they will follow them.

      COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80...

      Kia EV6 edges out Tesla as ‘Best Electric Vehicle’

      Toyota dominates the U.S. News list of best hybrid and electric vehicles

      Hybrid and electric vehicles are in demand due to gas prices surging this year. For consumers considering buying one, U.S. News and World Report has issued its list of best choices after evaluating 82 vehicles across eight categories.

      While Tesla may be synonymous with electric vehicles in many people’s minds, Toyota had the most first-place finishes of any brand. It took home the Best Hybrid Car award, with the Toyota Prius, and the Best Hybrid SUV award, with the RAV4 Hybrid. 

      The Kia EV6 won the Best Electric Vehicle award, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid won the Best Plug-In Hybrid award, and the Volvo S60 took home the award for Best Luxury Plug-In Hybrid.

      “The 2022 Kia EV6 has a lengthy driving range, spry handling, many active safety features, and a premium cabin with comfy seats but also a rather small cargo area,” the judges wrote. “The brand-new 2022 Tucson Hybrid features a lively powertrain, a posh interior, two rows of spacious, comfortable seats, and a stellar safety score. For these reasons and more, it stands tall near the top of the hybrid SUV class.”

      Tesla did win in one of the categories, with the Tesla Model Y being named the Best Luxury Electric SUV. The Lexus ES Hybrid – another Toyota product – was named the Best Luxury Hybrid.

      Increase in demand

      U.S. News selected the 2022 Best Hybrid and Electric Car winners based on a combination of the cars' overall score from the U.S. News Best Car Rankings, starting price, Level 2 charging rate, fuel economy, and range data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

      The judges looked at data for 82 luxury and mainstream hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric cars. Within each of the eight categories, the vehicle with the highest composite score won the category.

      "There's been a significant increase in the demand for electric vehicles, and they have more appeal than ever as gas prices rise and consumers look for cars with a low carbon footprint," says Jim Sharifi, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. "The winners of the Best Hybrid and Electric Car awards deliver a rewarding ownership experience, as well as low emissions and fuel costs."

      Good luck finding one to buy

      Finding one of these cars may prove difficult because of their sudden popularity and the new car shortage, which may not be ending anytime soon. Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama, said this week that the industry is still being held back by a shortage of computer chips.

      Puckett said the shortage of computer chips has been made worse by the war in Ukraine because the country is a major supplier of materials needed for chip production. 

      “Supplies are still a challenge, it’s still a struggle with chips,” Puckett said at an event in Huntsville, Ala. “I think it’s going to go on for a while. And it’s not going to be a solution that any automaker finds in the next few months. So it continues to be a challenge.”

      Hybrid and electric vehicles are in demand due to gas prices surging this year. For consumers considering buying one, U.S. News and World Report has issued...

      HBO and HBO Max gain 13 million subscribers in 2021

      The service still trails other streaming giants in subscribers, but it's growth is trending upwards

      In the world of streaming, all the clamor lately has been on Netflix’s fall from grace. But where did all those eyeballs that Netflix lost go? Disney+ certainly got its fair share, but the old dog in the game – HBO – added 13 million subscribers in 2021 between its main service and HBO Max, growing its revenue stream to $7.7 billion in subscription revenue.

      Added together, HBO and HBO Max have a combined 76.8 million subscribers worldwide. Admittedly, that’s a far cry from Netflix’s 221.64 million subscribers or Disney+’ 129.8 million, but parent company AT&T was gleeful about how HBO is performing. Company officials stated in a recent earnings report that the growth was driven by both international and domestic retail subscriber gains.

      What makes HBO so attractive?

      While Netflix and Amazon Prime have tried to expand their content libraries, HBO concentrated more on original programming, first-run exclusives, made-for-cable movies, and documentaries. Along the way, it kept its competitors’ hands off of content from Universal Pictures and 20th Century Studios, Sesame Street, and Wimbledon. Now that Warner Bros. and Discovery are part of the family, HBO has everything from Elmo to Wonder Woman all to itself.

      “The first thing to know about HBO Max is that it has everything on HBO,'' CNET reported in a comparative review of Netflix and HBO Max. “Max also has exclusive originals that "normal" HBO  subscribers won't be able to watch.” 

      “In general, HBO Max is ramping up its new originals, and we expect that to increase over time. Though its 8.0 rating is neck-and-neck with Prime Video, HBO Max consistently drops new releases, possesses a large back catalog and offers smooth, user-friendly features,” Rayome and Jackson said.

      In the world of streaming, all the clamor lately has been on Netflix’s fall from grace. But where did all those eyeballs that Netflix lost go? Disney+ cert...

      Women less likely to return to work after a severe stroke, study finds

      Being able to resume pre-stroke activities typically indicates successful recovery

      A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association explored what the recovery process looks like for stroke survivors. 

      According to the findings, women may be more than half as likely as men to return to work after suffering a severe stroke

      “Returning to work after a severe stroke is a sign of successful rehabilitation,” said researcher Dr. Marianne Hahn. “Resuming pre-stroke levels of daily living and activities is highly associated with a better quality of life. In contrast to most return-to-work studies, we included a large cohort of only people treated with mechanical clot removal; they are a subgroup of stroke patients at high risk for severe, persisting deficits.” 

      Stroke recovery is different for all patients

      For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 600 people between the ages of 18 and 64 who were enrolled in the German Stroke Registry – Endovascular Treatment Study Group between 2015 and 2019. All of the participants had suffered a large vessel ischemic stroke and were treated with mechanical clot removal. Half of the group also received clot-busting stroke medication, and they were all employed prior to their heart health concerns.

      Overall, about one-third of the study participants were able to return to work within three months of their stroke. However, women were nearly 60% less likely than men to go back to their jobs after three months. The study showed that functional deficits, which can range from vision or hearing troubles to language development and more, were the biggest barriers for study participants to return to work. 

      “After examining the data further, we also found that women in our cohort were younger at the time of their stroke, were more likely to be non-smokers, and were more likely to have no existing significant disability when discharged from the hospital compared to the men in our study,” Hahn said. “Despite having more of these favorable characteristics for return to work, we did not observe a higher re-employment rate among women before considering these differences.” 

      The researchers also learned that stroke patients who received both kinds of treatment – mechanical clot removal and prescription drugs – were about twice as likely to return to their jobs within three months. However, they explained that many factors can come into play when patients are deciding when to go back to work. 

      “There is more to re-employment after mechanical thrombectomy than functional outcomes,” said Dr. Hahn. “Targeted vocational and workplace rehabilitation interventions have been shown to improve rates of return to work. And previous studies have also found that returning to work is associated with increased well-being, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association explored what the recovery process looks like for stroke survivors. According...

      Gas prices are rising once again

      One analyst predicts that there’s more pain ahead

      Gas prices, which had been falling in the last couple of weeks, have started rising again. Oil industry experts predict that it could be a bumpy ride for motorists as the summer driving season approaches.

      AAA cites its daily survey of fuel prices to show that the national average price of regular gas is $4.12 a gallon, five cents a gallon more than last Friday. That’s still 13 cents less than a month ago.

      The average price of premium gas is $4.78 a gallon, three cents higher than last week. The average price of diesel fuel is $5.07, six cents a gallon more than a week ago.

      Some states saw little movement in prices in the last week while others suffered sticker shock. Maryland’s gas tax holiday ended, sending the price at the pump up 36 cents a gallon. 

      Elsewhere, the statewide average gas price rose 12 cents a gallon in Missouri, Kansas, and Wisconsin, while Oklahoma motorists paid 11 cents a gallon more. The average price was up nine cents in Illinois but down four cents in Ohio.

      Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates predicts that the decline in gas prices is probably over for now, with the national averages returning to between $4.15 and $4.20 per gallon in the near future.

      U.S. oil producers are now ramping up their production to meet shortfalls. Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, reported on Twitter that domestic oil production has ticked higher again and is close to reaching 12 million barrels a day. 

      States with the most expensive gas

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

      • California ($5.69)  

      • Hawaii ($5.24)     

      • Nevada ($5.08)   

      • Alaska ($4.65)   

      • Washington ($4.68)

      • Oregon ($4.67)   

      • Arizona ($4.56)   

      • Utah($4.50)

      • Idaho ($4.43)   

      • Illinois ($4.40)   

      States with the cheapest gas

      AAA reports that these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

      • Missouri ($3.76)   

      • Kansas ($3.77)    

      • Oklahoma ($3.78)  

      • Arkansas ($3.74)  

      • Texas ($3.77)   

      • Ohio ($3.76)     

      • South Carolina ($3.79)    

      • Georgia ($3.72)  

      • Kentucky ($3.81) 

      • Mississippi ($3.78) 

      Gas prices, which had been falling in the last couple of weeks, have started rising again. Oil industry experts predict that it could be a bumpy ride for m...

      Ford recalls model year 2021 F-150s

      The transmission may shift into neutral while the vehicle is being driven

      Ford Motor Company is recalling 47,084 model year 2021 F-150 pickup trucks.

      The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

      An unexpected shift into neutral will cause a loss of drive power and increase the risk of a crash.

      What to do

      Dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software free of charge.

      Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 2, 2022.

      Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S15.

      Ford Motor Company is recalling 47,084 model year 2021 F-150 pickup trucks.The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may fa...

      White House announces additional funding to help consumers pay energy bills

      The government is providing $385 million through an assistance program

      With inflation, gas prices, and rising home costs on Americans' minds already, the White House says it is trying to get ahead of a possible increase to home energy costs.

      On Thursday, President Biden announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will release more than $385 million to states to help Americans with their home energy costs – both summer and winter – through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 

      The new cash infusion is in addition to the billions that the American Rescue Plan provided to LIHEAP last year. It also represents the first $100 million installment of a five-year, $500 million investment in LIHEAP from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Added together, that makes $8.3 billion in LIHEAP assistance that the Biden administration has invested in reducing heating and cooling costs for low-income Americans.

      What’s included in the plan

      All told, there are four components to Biden’s action plan. They include:

      Record LIHEAP Funding for States: The allocation of the LIHEAP funding will be handled state-by-state. As an example, the White House gave Oregon an additional $3.8 million in funding. The state of Washington received a little more, with a $6.5 million infusion.

      The American Rescue Plan’s Resources and Relief for Homeowners: While the American Rescue Plan already provides critical resources that states and localities can use to address home energy costs, White House officials say the new addition is "historic" in scope. Now included in relief efforts is the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program – which the Biden administration used to provide relief to consumers who struggle to pay rent during the pandemic.

      Under the program, consumers will receive an additional $21.5 billion in funding to help with past-due utility bills or threats of having their utilities turned off. The White House said the ERA is already proving its value and that jurisdictions across the country are already helping households eliminate threats and reduce their energy bills.

      The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Investments to Reduce Home Energy Costs: The White House said the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program will further reduce energy costs for hundreds of thousands of low-income households by increasing their homes’ energy efficiency.

      Saving Families Money with Energy Efficiency Standards: If everything goes according to plan, a series of 100 energy-related actions that the Biden administration put into effect could save families $100 every year with more efficient home appliances and equipment. The Department of Energy recently proposed new standards for appliances, like air conditioners, to help consumers save on their electric bills. The White House considers this assistance “critical as communities cope with increasingly common and extreme heat events.”

      Biden administration officials say they won't just stop at making homes more energy-efficient. They also want to do the same for the nation's offices and schools. 

      Households that are in need of help with their energy bills can identify resources in their area at EnergyHelp.us or by calling the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327.

      With inflation, gas prices, and rising home costs on Americans' minds already, the White House says it is trying to get ahead of a possible increase to hom...

      Coronavirus update: CDC urges Americans to continue masking up

      Feds charge 21 more people with COVID-19 fraud

      COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80,818,490 (80,733,941)

      Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌deaths:‌ 990,395 (989,367)

      Total‌ ‌global‌ ‌cases:‌ 507,371,986 (506,185,821)

      Total ‌global‌ ‌deaths:‌ 6,210,317 (6,204,500)‌

      CDC still recommends masks on planes and trains

      While the U.S. government is appealing a judge’s ruling that blocks the extension of the travel mask mandate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says everyone should continue masking up.

      In a statement to the media, the CDC said it will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary. In the meantime, it has asked the Justice Department to appeal a federal judge’s ruling blocking the extension of the travel mask mandate.

      “CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings,” the agency said in a statement. “CDC’s number one priority is protecting the public health of our nation. As we have said before, wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor.”

      Justice Department charges 21 people with COVID-19 financial fraud

      The U.S. Justice Department has leveled criminal charges against 21 people in nine federal districts across the U.S. for their alleged participation in various health care-related fraud schemes that exploited the COVID-19 pandemic. 

      According to the complaint, the cases resulted in over $149 million in COVID-19-related false billings to federal programs and theft from federally-funded pandemic assistance programs. In connection with the enforcement action, the department seized over $8 million in cash and other alleged fraud proceeds.

      “The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Unit and our partners are dedicated to rooting out schemes that have exploited the pandemic,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite, Jr. “Today’s enforcement action reinforces our commitment to using all available tools to hold accountable medical professionals, corporate executives, and others who have placed greed above care during an unprecedented public health emergency.”

      Unions protected staff at nursing homes, study finds

      Nursing homes have been vulnerable hot spots during the pandemic. Residents are elderly, sometimes in declining health, and live in close proximity. Many early deaths occurred among residents and staff at long-term care facilities.

      But a new study by researchers at George Washington University found that facilities that employed union staff members suffered fewer infections and deaths. The study was published in the journal Health Affairs and suggests that union work rules made the difference.

      "By protecting workers during the pandemic, labor unions are limiting the spread of COVID-19 inside nursing homes and have likely saved the lives of thousands of residents," said Adam Dean, the study’s lead author.

      Around the nation

      • Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill to renew the COVID-19 liability immunity protections for businesses. Kelly said she supported parts of the legislation but opposed an expansion of the protections that some described as too broad. Kelly said last-minute amendments doomed the legislation.

      • New York: Despite a federal judge’s ruling that overturns the federal transportation mask mandate, Gov. Kathy Hochul said masks are still required aboard New York mass transit -- but only for “the short term.” Hochul said the emergence of two subvariants is reason enough to keep masks on for now.

      • Kentucky: After struggling with a surge in COVID-19 cases throughout most of 2021, Kentucky officials are reporting a 67% decline in new cases. Anderson County, west of Lexington, is the only one of the state’s 120 counties not to be classified as an area of low COVID-19 community transmission. The rest of the state is in the green this week.

      • Washington: The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated the design of its COVID-19 data dashboard with the goal of providing a new, more user-friendly format. The goal of the new format is to make it easier for the public to access and understand the data that health officials post.

      • Mississippi: The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that second-dose booster shots of both the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccine are now available at all county health department clinics for eligible individuals. The shot is recommended for people over age 50 at least four months after the first booster.

      COVID-19 ‌tally‌ ‌as‌ ‌‌compiled‌‌ ‌by‌ ‌Johns‌ ‌Hopkins‌ ‌University.‌ ‌(Previous‌ ‌numbers‌ ‌in‌ ‌parentheses.)‌Total‌ ‌U.S.‌ ‌confirmed‌ ‌cases:‌ 80...

      FAA makes zero-tolerance policy against unruly passengers permanent

      The agency is working with the TSA and FBI to add even more sting to its policy

      The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it has seen enough bad behavior over the last couple of years that it’s going to make its Zero Tolerance policy against unruly passengers permanent. 

      While the agency's Zero Tolerance policy has helped reduce incident rates by more than 60%, the FAA feels it still has a long way to go. Officials say they will issue a fine of up to $37,000 to anyone who crosses the policy's lines going forward. In the past, the FAA tried to deal with unruly passengers by issuing warning letters or requiring counseling, but those attempts apparently weren’t taken seriously and are no longer part of the FAA’s disciplining procedures. Previously, the maximum civil penalty per violation was $25,000. 

      “Behaving dangerously on a plane will cost you; that’s a promise,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen. “Unsafe behavior simply does not fly and keeping our Zero Tolerance policy will help us continue making progress to prevent and punish this behavior.” 

      Unruly passengers might be looking at even tougher penalties soon. Legislation that could permanently ban a traveler from flying ever again was recently introduced in Congress.

      What passengers shouldn't do

      The FAA wants it made clear that there are certain lines under its updated policy that travelers should never cross. Here are two big points that travelers should keep in mind:

      Travelers who interfere with the duties of a crewmember are violating federal law. By “interfering,” the agency means assault, intimidation, or threats made to anyone involved with the plane’s operation.

      A $37,000 fine will be assessed for each violation. If a passenger crosses the line in several different ways, they could be hit with multiple fines.

      If it had the power to do so, the FAA might have taken even tougher action. However, the agency only has civil authority to impose fines and does not have criminal prosecutorial authority.

      Nonetheless, officials say they're trying to add in a little more sting. For one thing, the FAA is now working with the Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) to revoke TSA PreCheck for unruly passengers that it fines. As of Feb. 16, 2022, it had referred 80 unruly passenger cases to the FBI for criminal review

      Some airlines revoke bans for mask violations

      Despite the TSA fining 922 people for violating mask mandates and issuing 2,709 warnings between Feb. 2, 2021, and March 7, 2022, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have decided that they will let some passengers banned for mask violations back on their flights.

      "At Delta, nothing is more important than the safety and security of our customers and our people. With masks now optional, Delta will restore flight privileges for customers on the mask non-compliance no-fly list only after each case is reviewed and each customer demonstrates an understanding of their expected behavior when flying with us," the airline said in a statement.

      As for United, it said it's taking things on a case-by-case basis.

      "We will allow some customers who were previously banned for failing to comply with mask-related rules to fly United again -- after ensuring their commitment to follow all crewmember instructions on board," the airline said in a statement.

      The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says it has seen enough bad behavior over the last couple of years that it’s going to make its Zero Tolerance pol...

      Most student loan borrowers regret going into debt

      A survey found that nearly half of borrowers have been paying off loans for 10 years or more

      The college application deadline is closing in, and high school seniors are making their final decision on where to attend. But a sobering new survey suggests that applicants should think long and hard about how they will pay for their education.

      In a survey conducted for Givling, a crowdfunding trivia game that helps users eliminate debt, 63% of people who attended college said they regret taking out student loans. The survey showed that nearly half of the respondents paid their student loans for 10 years or longer.

      Nearly 25% reported that their current student loan balance is more than $70,000. Asked if they would do it again, 27% of respondents said the return on investment isn’t enough to justify their debt.

      "The student debt crisis has surged 144% over the past decade, forcing 45 million Americans to shoulder more than $1.5 trillion in loans," said Laurie Farros, president of Givling. "While programs like PSLF (public service loan forgiveness) certainly help, unfortunately they don't go far enough.”

      While elite schools tend to be the most expensive, the Wall Street Journal reports that getting into one of them has never been harder. For example, Harvard received a record 61,220 applications for entry this fall and has accepted just 1,954.

      Is where you go to school important?

      Getting a good job usually requires a bachelor’s degree, but it’s not clear whether getting a degree from an expensive college provides much of an advantage. The majority of business leaders who recently responded to a Gallup poll said it was not very important or not at all important where the candidate went to college.  

      What students major in may also be less important than many students think. The same poll found that only 28% of business leaders thought a candidate’s college major was very important.

      This suggests that students who are planning to attend college should give a higher priority to how much the education will cost. In the last three decades, the cost of a college education has risen much faster than the rate of inflation. 

      According to Investopedia, the average college student has over $40,000 in student loan debt.

      The college application deadline is closing in, and high school seniors are making their final decision on where to attend. But a sobering new survey sugge...

      Average house payments up 20% since December

      An industry report finds that affordability is becoming an issue for many buyers

      Home prices are still rising, and mortgage rates crossed 5% for the first time in years last week. But what does that actually mean for people buying a home this month?

      A new report from Zillow shows that the average monthly house payment has increased 20% since December, just over three months ago. Despite this, the pace and volume of sales picked up in March, showing the depth of the pool of homebuyers willing and able to meet current asking prices. 

      The report underscores the challenges facing consumers who are trying to purchase a home this spring. The typical home is valued 20% more than it was 12 months ago. The average mortgage rate has risen from below 3% a year ago to a little over 5% now.

      ‘Breathtaking speed’

      Doing the math, Zillow estimates that the average monthly payment is now 38% more than it was at this time in 2021 – and that assumes a 30-year mortgage with a 20% down payment.

      "Higher mortgage rates were anticipated this year, but the speed of their rise has been breathtaking," said Jeff Tucker, Zillow’s senior economist. "Record low mortgage rates had been an affordability lifeline during the pandemic, keeping monthly payments in check even while prices climbed quickly.”

      An analysis of ConsumerAffairs reviews shows that many people were already struggling to make house payments, even before rates rose and inflation took off. Teresa of Noblesville, Ind., turned to AAG for help.

      “I’ve been making house payments, but I’ve been struggling making them,” Teresa wrote in a ConsumerAffairs review.

      Hillary, of Rio Ranco, N.M., found herself in a similar situation recently and got some assistance from Freedom Debt Relief, which she said helped her reduce her debt.

      “I was still able to live with on my means and pay my house payment and put food on the table,” she told us.

      Biggest test yet

      With the cost of purchasing and financing a home rising so quickly, Tucker said March was the biggest test yet of whether enough buyers can meet the new asking prices to keep home values growing at a record pace. So far, he says the answer is yes.

      “There will be a point when the cost of buying a home deters enough buyers to bring price growth back down to Earth, but for now, there is plenty of fuel in the tank as home shopping season kicks into gear," Tucker said.

      If there was a bright spot in the report, it might have been increasing choices. After six consecutive months of falling inventory — a streak that lasted longer than usual into the year — the number of available homes in March rose 11.6% over February, the largest one-month jump in Zillow's records.

      Home prices are still rising, and mortgage rates crossed 5% for the first time in years last week. But what does that actually mean for people buying a hom...

      Women's salaries are likely to drop after their first child, study finds

      Researchers say the same trend doesn’t affect fathers’ paychecks

      A new study conducted by researchers from Cornell University looked at what women should expect from their paychecks after having their first child. According to the findings, women’s salaries are likely to take a hit after giving birth. However, the team found that men don't experience the same loss in pay.

      “The gender revolution has stalled, and women remain economically vulnerable,” said researcher Kelly Musick. 

      Women’s earnings are subject to change

      To better understand salary trends between men and women, the researchers analyzed tax data and information from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation Synthetic Beta group from the 1980s through the 2000s. 

      In the earliest years of the dataset, women’s earnings dropped 13% after giving birth to their first children. While there was some improvement by the 2000s, the researchers said women experienced a 10% drop in pay by that time. The team explained that this trend was true regardless of how much money either women or men were earning prior to giving birth, as well as their level of education. 

      “Across groups, wives become more financially dependent on their husbands after parenthood,” the researchers wrote

      The team worries about what these findings mean for women’s financial freedom, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and work and home responsibilities changed across the country. 

      “The pandemic puts into sharp relief the pitfalls of our fend-for-yourself approach to managing work and family,” Musick said. “The pandemic also creates an opening for policymakers to build a stronger infrastructure of care and the success of that effort will shape gender inequalities in work and family in the decades to come.” 

      A new study conducted by researchers from Cornell University looked at what women should expect from their paychecks after having their first child. Accord...