FEMA Asking Elderly, Disabled NYCers In Assisted-Living Home To Pay Back Thousands In Sandy Relief Funds

(frankieleon)

Spending months living in emergency shelters after being forced out of your home by Superstorm Sandy’s floodwaters sounds bad enough, but now disabled, elderly and poor adults living in an assisted-living center in New York City have been told by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that some of them have to pay back thousands of dollars they received in disaster aid.

According to the Associated Press, at least a dozen residents of the home on NYC’s Rockaway Peninsula have gotten notices recently from FEMA< saying that they'd been declared ineligible for aid checks that they received two years ago — money that many of them have already spent — because the money was only supposed to pay for temporary housing.

Those residents didn't ever have to pay for housing, as they were moved from one state-funded shelter to another. Yet they're expected to pony up the cash by Nov. 15, cash most of them don't have.

One 61-year-old resident suffering from a spinal disability and other chronic health problems says he has to send a check for $2,486 or file an appeal. He says he spent the money on food and clothing, things he needed after the storm, and was never told he was ineligible.

"We're on a fixed income. I don't have that kind of money!" he told the AP, saying FEMA workers urged him to apply for assistance in the aftermath of the storm, when residents were staying at an armory in Brooklyn. No one informed him it could only be used for housing, he said.

"Everyone asked, `Do we have to pay this back later on? Is it a loan?' They said, `No. It's a gift from Obama,'" he said. "If I wasn't eligible, then why give it to me in the first place? They knew we were living in an adult home. They knew our shelter was being paid for by the state. It's not like we lied on the application."

A FEMA spokesperson told the AP that the agency is required by law to recoup improper payments, but didn't directly address the residents' situation.

"FEMA remains committed to working with applicants and ensuring they have an understanding of the options available to resolve their debt, which includes making a payment, filling an appeal, requesting a compromise and establishing a payment plan," he said.

A local legal aid group that's worked with adult home residents in the past has offered to help this home's resident work on their appeals.

"Our position is that it would be an unbearable financial hardship and unjust," to require the residents to repay the money, said an attorney with MFY Legal Services.

NYC ADULT HOME RESIDENTS ASKED TO REPAY FEMA AID [Associated Press]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Nissan Recalls 53,000 Sedans, SUVs For Takata Airbag Defect

(Russ Swiss)

The number of vehicles recalled because of defective Takata airbags continues to grow, this time by nearly 53,000 Nissan models in 12 U.S. states and territories.

According to a notice [PDF] posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the new recall involves 52,738 model year 2003 to 2004 Pathfinder, 2004 to 2006 Sentra, 2003 to 2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 and the 2006 M35 and M45 vehicles.

The recall applies only to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Officials with Nissan say in the notice to NHTSA that airbags in the affected vehicles may rupture, sending metal fragments toward front-seat passengers in the event of a crash.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified and dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflator.

Takata-produced airbags have been the subject of nearly 16 million vehicle recalls since 2008.

The Japanese parts maker is currently under investigation by NHTSA regarding its reporting processes and its lack of action after reportedly knowing about the issue four years before the first recall was initiated.

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

If You Have One Of Two Britax ClickTight Car Seats, Watch This Video To Make Sure It’s Installed Safely

Our esteemed brethren at Consumer Reports are always checking into products to make sure that not only will they perform as they’re supposed to, but to make sure that consumers are using them safely and in the right way. So if you own a Britax Boulevard ClickTight or Britax Marathon ClickTight convertible car seat, you’ll want to watch this video to make sure everything is installed the way it’s supposed to be.

Consumer Reports bought one sample each of the two Britax seats, and found that on both seats, one or both sides of the harness strap hadn’t been fully attached to its lower anchor hook.

So while the harness might be attached securely at other points on the seat, the worry is it could still come loose in a crash and render the restraint less effective.

When Consumer Reports asked Britax about the harness issue, the company sent a written statement saying, “Prior to using the seat, ensure that the harness straps are securely connected to the anchors inside the hook.”

There’s a simple fix, however: The five-point harness design lets you reposition the straps on their anchors, depending on the size of the child sitting in the seat. CR’s car seat installation pros simply followed the Britax instructions online for adjusting harness length, and as such were able to re-secure the harness straps themselves, making sure to engage the straps inside the hook.

To do that yourself, watch Britax’s video explaining how to adjust the harness straps, depending on how old your child is.

Consumer Reports notes that it hasn’t crash-tested these seats yet, though there were four complaints on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s complaints database and another listed in an online owner forum.

Watch Consumer Reports’ video below for more information on how to adjust the straps:

Two Britax car seats could pose safety risk [Consumer Reports]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Apple Introduces Tool To Help Ex-iPhone Owners Get Missing Texts

(Lauren)

Where did all of the missing texts go? Apple insisted back in May that they solved the problem of text messages that go missing after users switch to phones using other operating systems, but users claim that messages from iPhone-using friends still went missing. Some even filed a lawsuit claiming that Apple’s iMessage servers still “intercept” their messages. Now Apple has introduced a Web app for that.

Former iPhone users have been relieved to learn that their friends still like them, but annoyed at the delays and lost messages that have occurred because Apple is unable to let them go. Some customers even had the idea to file a lawsuit accusing Apple of “intercepting” their messages under federal wiretapping laws. While it took more than six months, Apple finally has a tool for customers desperate to get their messages off Apple’s servers: a simple Web page that lets them deregister their phone number from iMessage.

If you do decide to leave your iPhone behind, you should visit this page before you learn that your friends are sending texts that don’t reach you. It will save a lot of awkwardness.

Deregister iMessage [Apple]

by Laura Northrup via Consumerist

Documents Show GM Ordered New Ignition Switches Before Recall

(Allan)

General Motors’ massive ignition switch defect saga continues to look increasingly bad for the carmaker as new court documents show the company ordered a half-million new ignition switches, valued at $2.8 million, months before it notified federal regulators that an issue existed.

The Associated Press reports that emails show officials with the car company knew about the deadly defect two months before a recall was initiated.

Emails between lower employees at GM and the parts manufacturer Delphi Corp. shows that GM officials knew as early as December 18, 2013 that an issue involving the ignition switches was present, yet didn’t notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the issue until February 7, 2014.

The documents, released by a Texas personal injury attorney Robert Hilliard, once again raise questions about how much and when GM officials were made aware of the deadly defect and how forthcoming they were in their reporting duties.

The AP reports that the information contained in the new emails was never mentioned by GM CEO Mary Barra when she testified before Congress or in the GM-funded investigation.

Officials with GM say the large replacement switch order was standard procedure even before a recall decision is made.

Despite GM’s procedures, Hilliard says the company should have used those two months to warn consumers about the issue.

Hilliard says the advanced warning could have prevented one death and 85 injuries among his clients alone.

“This pulls the curtain back completely and proves GM has not been forthright,” Hilliard tells the AP.

General Motors currently faces more than 130 lawsuits over accidents and lost vehicle value related to the recall which has been linked to 30 lives and hundreds of injuries.

It was previously reported that officials with GM knew for more than a decade before the first recall about how the ignition switches in several models could slip out of the run position, causing engines in cars to stall. If a stall occurred the power steering, brakes and airbags could become disabled resulting in people losing control of their cars and an increase in the likelihood of injury or death in the event of a crash.

Documents show General Motors ordered 500,000 ignition switches nearly 2 months before recall [The Associated Press]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

Kids Trying An Old Camera React Predictably, Yet Adorably Confounded

(YouTube)

In the newest installment of Kids React, where kids do what the title suggests and interact with technology of yore in a predictably adorable yet totally understandable way to outdated gadgets, we get to see what the children of today think of taking pictures with a camera that uses actual film… and ohmygosh, you can’t even see the photo after you take it! Oh, the humanity, life was so cruel then, etc.

While we all know how this little experiment is going to turn out, it still makes old hearts creak with nostalgia seeing the young whippersnappers trying to figure out how to turn the dang thing on in the first place, much less wrestle with film to make it actually take a picture. And it’s not like they’ve been forced back to the time of dageurrotypes — the camera even winds the film automatically! Such a treat.

In any case, the reactions are still enough to make you go “aww!” and then, “grumble grumble back in my day grumble grumble.”

Highlight might be watching some of the kids react to being handed actual film — “I’ve always wanted to see film!” and “A REAL FILM!!!”

Although (spoiler alert) most kids are outraged at the fact that you can’t see a photo after you take it, one girl does admit it’s “kind of sad” that the albums on a phone are named after actual albums where people used to place physical photos, something no one she knows does anymore. Sad, indeed.

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

10 profesiones más prestigiosas (USA) #infografia #infographic

Hola:

Una infografía sobre las 10 profesiones más prestigiosas (USA).

Un saludo

You will find more statistics at Statista

Archivado en: Infografía, RRHH Tagged: Infografía, RRHH



from TICs y Formación http://ift.tt/10QE6Ul

via Alfredo Vela Posteado por www.bscformacion.com

Massachusetts City Considering Banning Tobacco Sales Completely

(MarteaDesignCo)

While most cities have banned smoking indoors in public places, and companies like CVS have decided to stop selling cigarettes outright, no U.S. town has actually banned the sale of tobacco… yet. One Massachusetts city is considering taking tobacco off the shelves, a choice that would make it the first town to do so.

The town of Westminster’s Board of Health will hear a public comment on a proposed regulation that would make it the first U.S. municipality to give all tobacco products the boot within town lines, reports the Associated Press.

“To my knowledge, it would be the first in the nation to enact a total ban,” said Thomas Carr, director of national policy at the American Lung Association. “We commend the town for doing it.”

A town health agent said she thinks the ban could be the solution to a worrisome issue.

“The tobacco companies are really promoting products to hook young people,” she said, noting the racks of cheap, bubblegum-flavored cigars and other offerings. “The board was getting frustrated trying to keep up with this.”

She cited the U.S. surgeon general saying that if people keep smoking, 5.6 million American kids under the age of 18 now will die prematurely.

On the other hand, the owner of a local market says about a quarter of his customers buy tobacco, and will often pick up other items when they’re purchasing smokes.

“It’s going to send business five minutes this way or five minutes that way — no one’s going to quit,” he says. He’s gathered more than 800 signatures for a petition against the proposal.

And as one might expect, the tobacco industry isn’t too pleased.

“We believe businesses should be able to choose which products they carry,” a spokesman for Altria Group Inc., owner of the nation’s biggest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA said. “If the ban were to be implemented, adult tobacco and e-vapor consumers could shift their purchases to neighboring stores. The proposed regulations, if enacted, would fundamentally alter these businesses and would likely cost Westminster jobs.”

The topic is so controversial that the Board of Health’s meeting will be held at a school cafeteria instead of in a conference room as usual, due to the expected turnout from the public on Wednesday.

Westminster weighs nation’s 1st tobacco ban [Associated Press]

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist

Pizza Hut Overhauls Image With New Logo, Plethora Of Crusts, Sauces And Topping Options

(Adam A. Koch)

By now it seems that pizza companies add different, often odd combinations to their pizza lineup each week (we’re looking at you sausage-stuffed crust). A newly revamped menu – and overall identity – at Pizza Hut aims to allow consumers to expand their creative concoctions.

USA Today reports Pizza Hut is overhauling its menu in order to attract a younger generation.

In addition to the revamped menu, Pizza Hut will also be makeover their overall image with a new logo and new uniforms.

The company’s new menu will focus on dozens of new flavor options including adding 11 new pizza recipes, 10 new crust flavors, six new sauces, five new toppings, and four new flavor-pack drizzles.

Crust options have increased from one to 10 including honey sriracha and salted pretzel, while the new sauces include garlic parmesan and buffalo.

As for toppings the company will now offer “premium” options such s banana peppers and Peruvian cherry peppers.

The newest special recipe pizzas bring a bit of heat to the menu with a 7-Alarm Fire creation with peppers and jalapeños.

As announced previously, the chain is also attempting to appeal to the health and weight conscious consumer by offering so-called Skinny Slice pizza.

“This is the biggest change we’ve ever made,” Carrie Walsh, chief marketing officer, tells USA Today. “We’re redefining the category.”

Officials with Pizza Hut say the new menu additions and new look will be rolling out at the chain’s 6,300 locations beginning November 19.

Pizza Hut to turn brand upside down [USA Today]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist

White House Calls On FCC To Reclassify Broadband Under Title II, Protect Net Neutrality

Consumer advocates urging the FCC to protect net neutrality by reclassifying broadband as a Title II “common carrier” service have picked up a surprising new ally this morning: the President of the United States.

In a statement this morning, President Obama has unexpectedly jumped into the fray over net neutrality. His message sets out four bright-line rules that the FCC should is very clear: in order to protect net neutrality, the FCC should reclassify broadband.

The FCC is an independent agency, so requests from the chief executive are just that: requests. They carry no weight of law and the FCC is free to follow or ignore guidance from the White House as they see fit. However, realistically speaking, a direct statement from the White House has a hefty level of political impact, if not practical impact.

The White House asks the FCC to “answer the call of almost 4 million public comments, and implement the strongest possible rules to protect net neutrality.” That means protecting four particular bright-line rules of net neutrality: no blocking, no throttling, no paid prioritization, and increased transparency. And the best way to do that, Obama says, is with reclassification:

[T]he time has come for the FCC to recognize that broadband service is of the same importance and must carry the same obligations as so many of the other vital services do. To do that, I believe the FCC should reclassify consumer broadband service under Title II of the Telecommunications Act — while at the same time forbearing from rate regulation and other provisions less relevant to broadband services. This is a basic acknowledgment of the services ISPs provide to American homes and businesses, and the straightforward obligations necessary to ensure the network works for everyone — not just one or two companies.

The incumbent ISPs, of course, strenuously object to Title II classification. Verizon in particular has threatened to sue the FCC again if the commission reclassifies any part of the broadband pipeline under that regulation. Their argument runs that Title II regulation is arcane and archaic, and will ruin their ability to do anything useful (i.e. make lots of money).

However, the White House statement seems to see that argument coming, and continues: “If carefully designed, these rules should not create any undue burden for ISPs, and can have clear, monitored exceptions for reasonable network management and for specialized services such as dedicated, mission-critical networks serving a hospital.”

Although Obama has spoken favorably about net neutrality and nondiscrimination before, this marks the first time the White House has come out in favor of using Title II. The White House also endorses applying net neutrality regulations universally, to mobile as well as wired broadband.

In February, over 100,000 people signed a petition asking the President to request the FCC take the Title II approach. However, the White House did urge the FCC to take action but stopped short of actually asking commission chairman Tom Wheeler to consider reclassification.

The statement from the White House comes as Wheeler is said to be shopping around the FCC’s “hybrid” approach in Capitol Hill meetings with both members of the House and the Senate this week.

Net Neutrality: President Obama’s Plan for a Free and Open Internet [The White House]

by Kate Cox via Consumerist