Respond To Unwanted Robocalls -- FTC Has A Way

Agency Announces Robocall Summit to be Held October 18 in Washington

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

Few things are as annoying as those recorded "robocalls" -- especially if your just sitting down to dinner. But what should you do when you get one?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued tips for consumers, as well as two new consumer education videos explaining robocalls and describing what to do when you get one. The agency also is hosting a robocall summit later this year to develop new strategies to stop illegal robocalls.

"The FTC hears from American consumers every day about illegal robocalls and how intrusive they are," said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. "We're ratcheting up our efforts to stop this invasion of consumers' privacy."

Read the entire article here.

Recall: On Winn-Dixie Brand Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet Dinner

By FoodSafety.gov

Winn-Dixie today announced an immediate Class II voluntary recall of Winn-Dixie Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet Dinners sold in the 5.8 oz. package with a UPC code of 2114018080, and a sell-by date of May 14, 2013. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the reason for the recall is the potential for the product to contain small metal fragments.

For Anyone Allergic To Eggs

Cass-Clay Creamery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Eggs in Peppermint Bon Bon Ice Cream

By FoodSafety.gov

Cass-Clay Creamery of Fargo, N.D., is voluntarily recalling Hornbacher's Peppermint Bon Bon Light (half gallon/1.89 liter), Schroeder Peppermint Bon Bon (1.75 quart/1.65 liter) and SunnyBrook Peppermint Bon Bon Light (half gallon/1.89 liter) because they may contain undeclared eggs. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Recall Of Andante Dairy Cheese

CDFA Announces Recall Of Andante Dairy Cheese

By FoodSafety.gov

Multiple lots of cheeses made by Andante Dairy in Petaluma, California are the subject of a recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford. The quarantine is based on a determination that a lack of proper pasteurization could have allowed dangerous pathogens to survive in the products.

Safety Recalls For Friday, July 13

Chicco Polly High Chairs Recalled

The pegs on the rear legs of the high chair pose the potential for bruising or laceration

Read the entire article here.

Old Navy Recalls Toddler Girl Aqua Socks

A lack of traction poses a slip and fall hazard

Read the entire article here.

Molenaar Recalls Folding Step Stools

Unexpected breaking or collapse of the stool poses the risk of falling

Read the entire article here.

Volvo Recalling S80 Vehicles

The potential for a transmission problem could lead to a crash

Read the entire article here.

TBC Recalling Mirada and Big Foot/Big O Tires

A manufacturing anomaly poses the risk of a vehicle crash

Read the entire article here.

Isuzu Recalling Amigos and Rodeos

Corrosion in the suspension system could lead to handling problems and crashes

Read the entire article here.

Buona Vita Recalls Various Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products

The recalls were prompted by the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination

Read the entire article here.

Sedona Labs Recalling iFlora Children’s Dietary Supplements

The products carry the risk of Salmonella contamination

By James Limbach, ConsumerAffairs.com

Sedona Labs is voluntarily recalling certain lots of our iFlora® Kids Multi-Probiotic® and iFlora™ 4-Kids Powder distributed between 3/16/2011 and 5/3/2012.

The decision was made after Sedona learned that its supplier of Galactooligosaccharide (GOS), an ingredient in the products, has recalled GOS due to a possible Salmonella contamination.

iFlora® Kids Multi-Probiotic® has been sold throughout the US to health food stores and Internet retailers. iFlora™ 4-Kids Powder has been sold via health care professionals.

See the lots and UPC codes included in this recall and read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls For Thursday, July 12

Nikon Recalls Rechargeable Battery Packs Sold With Digital SLR Cameras

A short circuit in the battery pack presents a possible burn hazard

Read the entire article here.

Standard Process Recalls Three Dietary Supplements

The potential for Salmonella contamination is being cited

Read the entire article here.

Family Dollar Stores Recalls Decorative Light Sets

The light sets pose a fire and electrical shock hazard

Read the entire article here.

Bosch Recalls SkilSaw Miter Saws

A problem with the lower guard poses a laceration hazard

Read the entire article here.

Troxel Recalls Flexible Flyer Swing Sets

A problem with the see-saw seats poses a fall hazard

Read the entire article here.

Bulk Romaine Lettuce Recalled in California, Nevada

No carton Romaine or bagged Romaine products are affected, officials say.

By Samantha Tata, NBC 4 KNBC

Nearly two dozen cases of bulk Romaine Lettuce sold at Vons and Pavilions stores in California and Nevada are being recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Pacific International Marketing, also known as Pacific, issued a voluntary recall on July 6 recalling 19 cases of the lettuce sold in bulk produce bins from July 2 through July 4.

The lettuce heads are banded with a red twist tie marked “Safeway” and were distributed in bulk with the code 12EASROM182 on the RPC code.

The recall affects RPCs only, officials said, and no carton Romaine or bagged Romaine products are affected.

Read the entire article here.

Exercise and Weight Loss: 5 Truths

Experts Weigh In on How Much Exercise Affects Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance

By Miranda Hitti, WebMD

You've heard it time and again -- to lose weight, you need to exercise and watch your diet, so that your calories burned exceed your calories consumed.

But if you've been working out and your extra pounds won't budge, you may be wondering why that seemingly simple strategy isn't working.

Don't hang up your sneakers and throw in the towel. If you do, you're going to miss out on the biggest weight perk exercise has to offer, experts tell WebMD.

Read the entire article here.

Car-Sharing: A Growing Trend But Is It For You?

There are pluses and minuses to car-sharing and on-demand rentals

By Daryl Nelson, ConsumerAffairs.com

If you’ve noticed, car-sharing companies are growing in popularity, and many find them to be a more convenient alternative to rental car agencies.

Companies like Zipcar or City CarShare are pulling in new consumers by the thousands, and the customer base is primarily made up of those who live in big cities, and don’t need a car every day. Also, a big portion of these customers just don’t want to own a car.

Rental companies like Thrifty and Budget may provide the convenience of having access to a wider selection of vehicles, and a bigger network of repair and support services, but some are also known to have really poor customer service.

Read the entire article here.

In Treatment for Leukemia, Glimpses of the Future

Second Chance: Lukas Wartman, a leukemia doctor and researcher, developed the disease himself. As he faced death, his colleagues sequenced his cancer genome. The result was a totally unexpected treatment.

By Gina Kolata, The New York Times

ST. LOUIS — Genetics researchers at Washington University, one of the world’s leading centers for work on the human genome, were devastated. Dr. Lukas Wartman, a young, talented and beloved colleague, had the very cancer he had devoted his career to studying. He was deteriorating fast. No known treatment could save him. And no one, to their knowledge, had ever investigated the complete genetic makeup of a cancer like his.

So one day last July, Dr. Timothy Ley, associate director of the university’s genome institute, summoned his team. Why not throw everything we have at seeing if we can find a rogue gene spurring Dr. Wartman’s cancer, adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia, he asked? “It’s now or never,” he recalled telling them. “We will only get one shot.”

Dr. Ley’s team tried a type of analysis that they had never done before. They fully sequenced the genes of both his cancer cells and healthy cells for comparison, and at the same time analyzed his RNA, a close chemical cousin to DNA, for clues to what his genes were doing.

Read the entire article here.

How to detect and fix a machine infected with DNSChanger

By Topher Kessler, CNET

The FBI will be closing the DNSChanger network on Monday, after which thousands worldwide are expected to no longer be able to access the Internet.

On July 9, the FBI will close down a network of DNS servers that many people have been depending on for proper Internet access. These servers were originally a part of a scam where a crime ring of Estonian nationals developed and distributed a malware package called DNSChanger, but which the FBI seized and converted to a legitimate DNS service.

This malware scam has been widespread enough that even third-party companies like Google and Facebook and a number of ISPs like Comcast, COX, Verizon, and AT&T have joined in the effort to help remove it by issuing automatic notifications to users that their systems are configured with the rogue DNS network.

If you see this or similar warnings when using Google or other services, then be sure to check your system for malware.

(Credit: CNET)

If you have recently received a warning when performing a Google search, browsing Facebook, or otherwise using the Web that claims your system may be compromised, then you might consider taking a few steps to check your system for the presence of the malware. This can be done in a couple of ways. First you can check the DNS settings in your system to see if the servers your computer is using are part of the rogue DNS network.

Read the entire article here.

Mosquitoes Remade

Scientists reinvent agents of illness to become allies in fight against disease

By Susan Milius, Science News

It’s a bit unnerving that Scott O’Neill bursts out laughing at the basic premise behind the story you are beginning to read.

He is dean of the science faculty at Monash University in Australia and lead scientist for research on developing bacteria-infected mosquitoes as a public health tool. The premise put forth was that scientists suddenly have made visible progress on a daydream that has been around for at least 50 years. Apparently, though, O’Neill thinks the “suddenly” is funny.

To the general insect-bitten public, a mosquito that fights disease instead of spreading it is the flying car of public health. Twentieth century science was supposed to create all kinds of marvels. But it’s a new millennium, cars are still grounded and mosquitoes are still dangerous. They pass along maladies, including malaria, yellow fever and dengue, that together kill hundreds of thousands of people each year, and often stump vaccine makers and drug developers. Small, frail-bodied creatures, easily knocked out of the air with the slap of a rolled-up science magazine, rank among the deadliest animals on Earth.

But now, retrofitted Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that might interrupt disease transmission are flying around freely in a wave of real-life tests.

Read the entire article here.

Safety Recalls For Saturday, July 7

Bath Petals Recalls Soy Candles

Overheating can produce fire and laceration hazards

Read the entire article here.

Twist'n Sparkle Beverage Carbonation System Bottles Recalled

iSi North America recall prompted by explosion hazard

Read the entire article here.

Fruiti Pops, Inc. Recalling Frozen Dessert Bars

Undeclared eggs in the product could make some consumers ill

Read the entire article here.

GM Recalling Chevrolet Captivas

A problem with the parking brake could cause a crash

Read the entire article here.

Volkswagen Recalling Some Audi Q5 Vehicles

A problem with the sunroof glass panel could cause it to break in cold weather

Read the entire article here.

Toyota Recalling Some 2011 Lexus Models

Accelerator pedal problem poses an accident hazard

Read the entire article here.

BI-LO Issues Class II Recall On Southern Home Brand Bacon Ranch Salad Mix & Creamy Parmesan Salad Mix

Today BI-LO announced an immediate Class II voluntary recall of two store brand products, the Southern Home Bacon Ranch Salad Mix and the Southern Home Creamy Parmesan Salad Mix. According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the reason for the recall is the potential for the product to contain small metal fragments.

DOT Construction Signs Hacked To Read 'Impeach Obama'

By Todd Walker, Channel 2 News

Several electronic road construction signs around Anchorage were hacked late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Signs that normally display closure and detour information, like the one on Minnesota Drive near 100th Avenue, were changed to read “Impeach Obama.” That particular sign wasn’t fixed until sometime between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Thursday.

It happened because DOT says it doesn't lock the boxes on the signs that hold the message control pad.

Read the entire article here.

Snow Piles Still Tower Over Anchorage in July

Melting Leftovers of Record Winter Requires Extra Work

By Ted Land, Channel 2 News

Bulldozer crews are on the clock this Independence Day, trying to break down mountains of snow, which still tower over some parts of Anchorage after a winter of record snowfall.

At American Landscaping, along C st. in South Anchorage, crews “roll” the surface of their pile every day or so, scraping off a top layer of gravel, which can insulate the snow, slowing its melt.

“I don’t know how high it is now, looks like about 80 feet,” said Glenn Ball, owner of American Landscaping, as he looked up at what he estimated to be about 280,000 cubic yards of leftovers.

Read the entire article here.

Glaxo Agrees to Pay $3 Billion in Fraud Settlement

By Katie Thomas and Michael S. Schmidt, The New York Times

In the largest settlement involving a pharmaceutical company, the British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and pay $3 billion in fines for promoting its best-selling antidepressants for unapproved uses and failing to report safety data about a top diabetes drug, federal prosecutors announced Monday. The agreement also includes civil penalties for improper marketing of a half-dozen other drugs.

The fine against GlaxoSmithKline over Paxil, Wellbutrin, Avandia and the other drugs makes this year a record for money recovered by the federal government under its so-called whistle-blower law, according to a group that tracks such numbers.

In May, Abbott Laboratories settled for $1.6 billion over its marketing of the antipsychotic drug Depakote. And an agreement with Johnson & Johnson that could result in a fine of as much as $2 billion is said to be imminent over its off-label promotion of another antipsychotic drug, Risperdal.

Read the entire article here.

U.S. Adds Forces in Persian Gulf, a Signal to Iran

By Thom Shanker, Eric Schmitt and David E. Sanger, The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates.

The deployments are part of a long-planned effort to bolster the American military presence in the gulf region, in part to reassure Israel that in dealing with Iran, as one senior administration official put it last week, “When the president says there are other options on the table beyond negotiations, he means it.”

But at a moment that the United States and its allies are beginning to enforce a much broader embargo on Iran’s oil exports, meant to force the country to take seriously the negotiations over sharply limiting its nuclear program, the buildup carries significant risks, including that Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps could decide to lash out against the increased presence.

Read the entire article here.