U.S. steps toward forcing recall of 52M air bag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel

September 6, 2023

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government is taking a big step toward forcing a defiant Tennessee company to recall 52 million air bag inflators that could explode, hurl shrapnel and injure or kill people. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday said it has made an initial decision that the inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc., and under license by another company, are defective. The agency scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 5, a required step before deciding to seek a court-ordered recall. In May the agency asked ARC to recall the inflators, which it says are ...

U.S. employers added a solid 187,000 jobs in August in sign of a still-resilient labor market

September 2, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added 187,000 jobs in August, evidence of a slowing but still-resilient labor market despite the high interest rates the Federal Reserve has imposed. Last month’s job growth marked an increase from July’s revised gain of 157,000 but still pointed ...

U.S. consumer confidence wanes with prices still high and signs of a cooling job market

August 30, 2023

Americans are feeling less confident financially as summer comes to a close and high prices and interest rates weigh on their willingness to spend. There were also signs Tuesday of cooling in what has been a very resilient U.S. jobs market. The Conference Board, a business research group, ...

Need to know about CPR? A new study says it’s probably wise not to ask Alexa or Siri

August 29, 2023

Ask Alexa or Siri about the weather. But if you want to save someone’s life? Call 911 for that. Voice assistants often fall flat when asked how to perform CPR, according to a study published Monday. Researchers asked voice assistants eight questions that a bystander might pose in a cardiac arrest emergency. In response, the voice assistants said: ∫ “Hmm, I don’t know that one.” ∫ “Sorry, I don’t understand.” ∫ “Words fail me.” ∫ “Here’s an answer … that I translated: The Indian Penal Code.” Only nine of 32 responses suggested calling ...

Amazon is raising free-shipping minimums for some customers who don’t have Prime

August 29, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon has been quietly raising the amount some customers must spend on its site to get free shipping. To qualify for no-cost deliveries, some Amazon customers who don’t have Prime memberships now need to spend $35, up from $25 previously. Amazon spokesperson Kristina Pressentin confirmed the company is testing the new qualification, which was first reported by the blog eCommerce Bytes. The change doesn’t impact Prime members who pay $14.99 per month, or $139 a year, for free shipping and other perks. “We continually evaluate our offerings and make ...

A store owner was killed over a Pride flag she flew in front of her California business

August 22, 2023

CEDAR GLEN, Calif. (AP) — A dispute over an LGBTQ+ pride flag at a California clothing store spiraled into deadly violence this weekend when a man shot and killed the 66-year-old business owner right in front of her shop, authorities said. The man ran away from the store after the shooting Friday night but was later found and killed in a confrontation with officers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The agency said Laura Ann Carleton was pronounced dead at Mag.Pi, the store she owned and operated in Cedar Glen. The small community in the San Bernadino ...