April 14 top stories
It is April 14. Here are today’s top stories.
FBI: Avoid public phone charging stations
The FBI is advising consumers against using public phone charging stations in order to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software. Bad actors can load malware onto public USB charging stations to access electronic devices while they are being charged. This cyber-theft activity is called “juice jacking”.
Criminals can lock a device or export personal data and passwords to them. Then, they can use that information to access consumers’ online accounts or sell it to other bad actors.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) shared some tips to prevent that from happening to you. You should avoid plugging your devices into a public USB charging station and instead use an AC power outlet. Bring an AC charger, car charger, USB cables and external battery with you when traveling.
Amazon return fee
Amazon is taking new measures to try to get customers to return fewer of their online purchases. The company announced it will start charging customers a $1 fee if they return items to a UPS store when there is a Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh grocery store or Kohl’s closer to the customer’s delivery address.
Amazon recently started flagging frequently returned products on its website. Customers would see “significantly higher return rates for their product category” badges to items to give them a heads-up before purchasing.
Some other retailers are also adding fees of up to $7 to return items and shortening their return windows for customers.
US inflation falls to 5%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported US inflation eased to 5% in March, its lowest level since May 2021. Prices are moving in a more manageable direction for US consumers. For instance, for the first time since September 2020 grocery prices fell on a monthly basis.
The best indicator of inflation is to take a look at the Customer Price Index (CPI). Housing costs account for the largest part of the monthly increase in the CPI. That means we are still not down to the magic number the Federal Reserve is looking for.
The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates at the most aggressive pace in decades as it tries to slow the economy and mitigate inflation. With this decreasing rate of inflation, investors and economists are optimistic that the Federal Reserve will soon pause its aggressive interest rate hikes.
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Montana’s TikTok ban bill
The local news reported Montana lawmakers moved one step closer to becoming the first US state to pass a TikTok ban bill. The Senate passed the bill in March. The House will vote Friday before the bill goes to Governor Greg Gianforte.
If passed, TikTok would be prohibited from operating in the state. The bill would not allow downloads of TikTok in Montana and would fine an app store or TikTok $10,000 per day for each time someone has the ability to access the social media platform or download the app.
Gov. Gianforte has banned TikTok on government devices in Montana. At least 25 US states and the US federal government prohibit TikTok on government devices.
18,000 cows killed in Texas explosion
An explosion and fire at South Fork Dairy farm near the town of Dimmit, Texas, killed approximately 18,000 cattle and injured one person. Dimmit is situated between Amarillo to the north and Lubbock to the south.
The fire spread quickly through holding pens where the cows were trapped. Based on the herd’s size, it could cover 26 football fields. Most of them are a mix of Holstein and Jersey cows. They were waiting to be milked. The incident killed about 90% of the dairy farm’s total herd.
Possibly, the most cattle killed in a single incident ever in US history. State and dairy officials have been planning how to dispose of the 18,000 carcasses. A malfunction in a piece of farm equipment may have caused an explosion and Texas fire officials are still investigating the cause.
That is all the top stories for this week. Have a nice weekend and stay with the light.
Public Charging:
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/10/fbi-says-you-shouldnt-use-public-phone-charging-stations.html
https://www.fcc.gov/juice-jacking-dangers-public-usb-charging-stations
Amazon:
https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-charging-returns-fee-ups-store-report-2023-4
Inflation:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/apr/12/cpi-inflation-rate-march-prices-fed
https://www.ft.com/content/9f2e3cc3-683c-4e62-ba19-acbe0776636c
Montana:
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-close-to-becoming-1st-state-to-completely-ban-tiktok
https://montanafreepress.org/2023/04/13/montana-house-votes-for-tiktok-ban/
Cows:
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/04/13/texas-dairy-farm-explosion-cows/