Category: News

A California business is in hot water after one of its employees flew the American flag at equal height with the Mexican flag — upside down. The Calexico Price Center, located in Calexico, California, has issued an apology through its manager, Jose Tirado. In an interview with The Washington Times, Tirado expressed that the whole situation was just an unfortunate mistake. “We have been flying flags here for more than 20 years, and this has never happened,” Tirado said. The company’s Facebook followers and customers, not to mention Calexico locals, are less than impressed with that explanation, with many pointing out that the stunt seemed like a purposeful political statement meant to demean the Land of the Free while promoting Mexico.

A Clear Violation of United States Flag Codes
When the Stars and Stripes is flown at the top of the flagpole, it’s meant to be flown proudly. There’s no doubting that the actions by Calexico Price Center, accidental or otherwise, completely disrespected the symbol of the nation. Of course, the act is not only disrespectful, it’s also in direct violation of the United States Flag Code, as outlined by the U.S. Senate. The code reads, “The flag should never be displayed with union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” The code does, however, allow for other nations’ flags to be flown at even level with Old Glory, so long as none are positioned to the right of our flag.

Not the First Case of Disrespect to the Flag
Unfortunately, this is neither the first nor the last case of someone disrespecting the flag, and thereby, the United States. Joshua Brubaker, a local of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, is facing charges of desecration and insults to the American flag, after area police saw a flag hung upside down with the word “AIM” spray-painted across its face in white paint. So far, those involved in the similar incident in Calexico, California are yet to face any charges.

What do you think about the actions of the Calexico Price Center? Should those responsible face the same charges as PA’s Joshua Brubaker? Let us know your opinion in the comment section below.

The Township Council of Little Falls, New Jersey has passed a resolution that supports a new code that would require all single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses to have fire sprinklers.

The landmark decision came after two main incidents brought to light the impact a fire sprinkler can have in an emergency situation. In April, eight people lost their home, and one firefighter was seriously injured, during a fire that ended up destroying an entire duplex located on Newark Pompton Turnpike. A Montclair State University dormitory experienced a fire during the same month; by contrast, a fire sprinkler was able to both contain the fire and extinguish it before authorities got to the scene.

“Fire sprinklers … would be a tremendous benefit to homeowners,” said Rich Silvia, president of the Fire Protection Association. “They’re protecting the most valued piece of property they would own in their lifetime.” Silvia, who is also a fire marshal, said that sprinkler installation is easy to do using either a separate or domestic water line.

He notes that ultimately, this move could help save homeowners money, not only by preventing costly fire damage, but through home insurance as well — homeowner’s insurance, he says, is usually reduced by about 10% for homes that have sprinklers.

The council’s resolution notes that 3,000 people nationwide are killed each year in fires, and cited the New Jersey Building Official Association’s, and the New Jersey Fire Protection Association’s support of the requirement.

The resolution has not, however, passed with full support, and Assemblyman Scott Rumana, who represents Little Falls, voted against the bill. “To make it mandatory that everyone has to have it means that you’re going to increase the cost to the consumer,” Rumana said. “It shouldn’t be mandated by the government that you must have this system in your home.” Rumana also notes that if the pipes are incorrectly installed, water damage can be very costly.

Edward Schumacher, a Little Falls developer, sees both sides of the debate but points out that getting a sprinkler is about more than just seeing the initial price-tag. “It’s an added expense, but sometimes people don’t know the value of it until they need it,” said Schumacher.

Going to the dentist is probably one of the most dreaded things that we have to do, but now your dentist can offer you more than root canals and routine cleanings; she might be able to help you sleep better. According to King5 HealthLink, a new treatment for sleep apnea is a device worn in the mouth that adjusts the jaw to ease breathing while the wearer sleeps. The typical treatment for sleep apnea — the most efficient treatment — is to be hooked up to a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, but the new device only requires that it be worn while you sleep. The new dental device is not for everyone though, just those with less severe sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea refers to a condition that causes a person to stop and start breathing repeatedly while asleep, which can cause a lack of oxygen to the brain and body. Many people don’t even know that they have sleep apnea. According to dentist and sleep expert Dr. Gretchen Zody, some signs of sleep apnea include indentations of the teeth on the tongue, teeth clenching and grinding, snoring, and acid reflux. Undiagnosed sleep apnea can be very dangerous, and it is a much more prevalent disorder than you might think. According to The Huffington Post, the National Sleep Foundation estimates there are 18 million people suffering from it. That’s more than the number of people living with things like depression, HIV, OCD, and alcohol dependence.

Undiagnosed sleep apnea can be dangerous. According to ABC News, it can be one of the causes of public transportation tragedies. When public transportation drivers fall asleep because they aren’t sleeping well at night due to untreated sleep apnea, the results can be deadly. Mark Rosekind, National Transportation Safety Board member says that sleep apnea is a national problem for operators and drivers. An investigation found that the cause of the December 2013 train crash that resulted in four deaths and 63 injuries was the conductor’s undiagnosed sleep apnea. As of now, there are no national rules that require drivers of public transportation to undergo sleep apnea testing, but some companies have taken to screening their own drivers for the disorder. This type of preventative measure may be the key to keeping these catastrophes from happening in the future.

If you suspect that you suffer from sleep apnea, getting screened for the disorder is an important for your health and safety. If you do find that you suffer from sleep apnea, a trip to the dentist may be all you need.

These days they say that it isn’t a matter of if you get cancer, it’s where and when, but recent scientific breakthroughs seem to indicate that the treatment for cancer may be as simple as using the cells in our own blood.

According to Forbes.com, a new study from the National Cancer Institute suggests that using white blood cells — which are already part of our immune system — can not only remove cancer cells in the blood in patients whose blood cancer was otherwise untreatable, but may work on tumors as well. The study sought to treat cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus. They found suitable white blood cells in women’s blood, modified them, and used them to treat the cancer with promising results. Though the treatment is still in its infancy, it seems to be a promising alternative to other types of cancer treatment.

Another new treatment for cancer is coming from drug companies. This treatment isn’t found in our own blood; the drugs simply work against the proteins that allow cancer cells to protect themselves inside the body. Though there are breakthroughs in cancer treatments, we want to avoid actually having cancer in the first place. One of the ways you can prevent cancer is just by walking. According to the American Cancer Society, walking 10,000 steps can lead to a 30% to 70% decrease in rates of cancer.
Walking is a really simple way to prevent cancer, but you have to be careful when choosing your footwear. According to Independent Online, popular sandals that are designed for fitness might actually cause or increase back pain. Something like 31 million Americans are having back pain at any specific time, and it’s estimated that 80% of people will have back pain in their lifetime. According to Yahoo, chances are this might stem from the fact that many of us sit and work on computers.

If you cannot get out and go walking because of your job, there is still something you can do for your wellness. Having a quality office chair with proper lower back support (which the National Institute of Health suggests that you can achieve by using a small cushion) can alleviate and prevent back pain.

A recent report conducted for the Sutton Trust indicates that, when it comes to cognitive development, children from low-income families begin lagging behind their peers from the time they are four-years-old. At this point, their grasp of vocabulary is already a year behind that of middle-income families. A typical four-year-old should ask about 437 questions each day, and be able to count to 10; these developmental milestones tend to come later for low-income children.

An interrelating report by UK MP Graham Allen shows that, when early intervention measures are taken in a child’s education, there is both reduced crime, and less instances of neglect and abuse. For this reason, a number of organizations have been increasingly interested in supporting children’s education as part of their business model.

Many investors, in fact, have been drawn to childcare as a way to give back and ensure a positive social impact in their communities. The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) is one example of this. Originally a traditional charity model, it has since turned into a high-quality daycare provider that operates 26 nurseries across the city. LEYF operates nurseries in disadvantaged areas other providers stay out of, and they also provide many free or subsidized spaces for low-income children — who make up 46% of their clientele.

LEYF’s focus on high-quality childcare has attracted better staff, which in turn attracted more paying customers, which has allowed LEYF to continue expansion. As a result, LEYF has received a giant £1.25 million loan from Bridges Ventures and Big Issue Invest so that it can acquire more nurseries. Hopefully, social-minded investments like this will help bridge the gaps that exist in education for lower- and middle-class children, so that no child begins their life with a significant disadvantage already in place.

Many Americans agree that a great smile and excellent dental hygiene are necessary for making a good first impression with anyone. When it comes to getting the job you’re interviewing for, though, employers are looking at more than simply the job candidate’s smile.

A new study from Monster.co.uk, which uses data from 273 managers and 3,286 employees concerning their interview experiences, has compiled a list of exactly what managers are looking for in their job candidates. While some of the results may be surprising, much of it confirms what many of us know to be good interview etiquette.

One finding that the survey discovered was that job candidates have exactly six minutes and 25 seconds to make a good impression, as this is typically all the time that interviewers need to determine whether or not an interviewee is a good fit for the job. Those 385 seconds help an interviewer make a variety of other impressions, also.

A good first impression, of course, can certainly lead to a favorable opinion from an employer — and a job offer. Being on time to an interview may sound like common sense, but the numbers back this up: 96 percent of managers base their hiring decisions on this factor.

How an interviewee behaves and what he or she may say during an interview also counts, according to the study. A candidate’s preparation for an interview, meaning how well they understand the job and the company, can influence as many as 93 percent of managers. Additionally, 82 percent of managers agree that a candidate’s ability to hold eye contact can also make a good impression.

Even factors that aren’t essential to an interview can still be a chance for a candidate to help an employer form an impression. The strength of an interviewee’s handshake matters for 55 percent of managers, and up to 60 percent look at the quality of banter or small talk with a prospective employee.

Just like a good smile, overall personal appearance is also crucial to making a great impression on an interviewer for a candidate for as many as 73 percent of hiring managers. Seventy percent state that a candidate’s makeup can impact their first impression, and 62 percent say that dress sense also affects a candidate’s employability. Tattoos, a controversial workplace topic, can turn off as many as 71 percent of employers.

When it comes to making the hire, 36 percent of employers look at a candidate’s work experience, 12 percent look at education, 10 percent consider professional qualifications, and nine percent use references. For 24 percent of employers, the quality of that first impression from the interview is factored in to the hire, as well.

It’s not just employers who use these impressions when it comes to getting a job; as many as 70 percent of job seekers use the first impressions of their interviewers to determine whether or not they want to take a job. They also base it on the interviewer’s handshake (60 percent), the small talk (58 percent), and dress sense (50 percent).

And of course, the study confirms that what you shouldn’t do during an interview remains the same as many know it to be. Having a limp handshake, not knowing about the job or the company, turning up late, smelling bad from B.O. or cigarette smoke, and being drunk or high are all big “Nos” when interviewing.

Monster.com’s interview advice reflects what the study found, in terms of interview preparedness. They also recommend being concise with answers but providing plenty of examples regarding past experience. Maintaining professionalism during the interview is also a must, no matter how “cool” a recruiter can seem.

Courtesy is essential, too, as many professionals recommend writing a thank you note after an interview, too. First impressions are good, but using one final opportunity to make a lasting impression can’t hurt, either.

Since the beginning of this year, an increasing number of auto manufacturers have issued safety recalls for their vehicles. In June alone, five of Japan’s largest automakers have recalled a total of 6 million vehicles, all due to airbag issues; General Motors, however, is in the lead with 36 recalls this year for a variety of problems, with around 20 million vehicles worldwide affected.

Estimates from analysts in the industry propose that there will be more recalls this year than last; in fact, not only will it beat the almost 28 million vehicles affected last year, but the number could reach as high as the 33.01 million vehicles record from ten years ago in 2004. In total since 1966, 540.8 million vehicles have been recalled — in the United States alone.

However, there is also a concern that many vehicles won’t even see the repairs they need, and some of this neglect could result in serious danger. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that one out of four vehicles covered by a safety recall won’t receive repairs; CarFax, which tracks vehicle histories, states that there are approximately 36 million vehicles being driven in America with at least one recall-related repair not completed.

This spells disaster for many drivers, as many of these defects can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities — both for the drivers of these cars and those who are unrelated, like passengers and others on the road.

Of the more recent recalls, Honda reported several fatalities last year due to malfunctioning airbags, which sent shrapnel flying into the passenger compartment. For GM, which manufactures Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, and other brands around the world, at least 13 people have died due to the faulty ignition switch.

That problem caused 22 crashes and 6 deaths due to just the 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007 Pontiac G5s alone, and this May, the NHTSA fined the company $35 million for failing to recall cars with faulty ignition switches despite GM knowing about the problem for the past decade.

Although Kia issued a recall in February because of a sticker inside the driver’s door pillar listed the wrong tire pressure, something seemingly innocuous could still be deadly. Clarence Ditlow, director of the Washington-based Center for Automotive Safety, pointed out that under-inflated tires could lead to a blow out or cause a vehicle to skid or roll in an emergency.

Although manufacturers like GM and Toyota, which recalled vehicles a few years ago to fix the unintended acceleration issue, set a goal of 100 percent completion, it can be difficult to achieve. Manufacturers have become more aggressive about sending out reminders, as a result; Chrysler emails and calls owners about recalls in addition to sending mail, which has boosted their completion of repairs from 70 percent to 80 percent, and GM mails out a recall reminder notice every three months. Several manufacturers allow car owners and lessees to check the recall status of their vehicles online.

However, the older a vehicle is, the less likely some owners are to get it fixed.

Thanks to new regulations, however, all car companies that operate in the U.S. will have to have databases where users can search for recall information using their Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, in place by August 14, and many manufacturers already do.

While some experts believe that car owners may feel “recall fatigue” from the sheer amount of recalls being issued and not take the warnings seriously, there are also several other reasons why repairs are sometimes ignored. Some may mistake their recall notices for junk mail and throw them in the trash; others may simply procrastinate, even though the repairs are covered at no cost by the automakers.

Also a concern for the recalls is that there may not be enough parts to cover the repairs; GM service techs have, thus far, only replaced 180,000 of the 2.6 million faulty ignition switches due to a shortage from supplier Delphi. Through the new recall efforts, GM hopes to complete the repairs by October.

Japan is known for its large array of products and services that people in other countries would widely consider strange, including eggs in vending machines and “Visual Kei” fashion. This month, a Japanese dental clinic will be offering yet another strange option for interested customers: a dentist dressed as a butler.

Dr. Taro Masuoka D.D.S. came up with the idea of this very unique dental offering after consulting with friends in the maid and butler cafe industry — another service unique to Japan, where customers can have coffee, tea and sweets served to them by elaborately dressed waiters and waitresses. Patients who visit PureCure dental beauty salon have the option of receiving the service, which translates to “Butler’s dental cleaning while you rest your head on his lap,” for an additional 9,800 yen ($96 USD).

“My main purpose is to entertain female otaku patients and people who dream about one day becoming ‘Ojousama’ with a butler who serves her,” says Dr. Masuoka, though the service is also open to male patients as well. Currently, the clinic is still practicing and preparing to offer the service — Dr. Masuoka admits that getting used to having a patient’s head in his lap felt embarrassing at first, but ultimately was a more comfortable solution.

He says that the overall combination is intended to help improve the experience of going to the dentist, saying that, “The medical care and assistance field is a serious one, but I wanted to offer something that lifts the spirit of both the patients and the workers while making it fun.” Tooth problems like cavities, sensitive teeth, and crooked teeth can be uncomfortable and even painful, and Dr. Masuoka’s fun clinic offerings can help prevent patients from worrying.

It’s not the first time the Roppongi-based clinic has been in the spotlight — according to Crunchyroll, the office was also the first to popularize Yaeba services. “Yaeba” is a double tooth look that is considered cute in Japan, and which can be mimicked through the use of veneers.

Seven major international automakers announced on Monday that they are recalling an estimated 2.9 million cars. Among those, four of them are automakers based in Japan. Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, and Honda are all being forced to recall hundreds of thousands of vehicles to address reported issues affecting airbags made by Takata Corp., another Japanese firm. Depending on the instance, Takata’s airbags either suddenly inflate during the course of driving, representing a significant driving hazard, or worse yet, in the event of an accident, the airbag’s inflator ruptures, leaving drivers with failed airbags. It’s just the latest in a slew of recalls that are leaving consumer confidence a little shaky as far as Japanese automakers are concerned.

Is There Any Japanese Automaker That Isn’t Taking a Hit to Consumer Confidence?
The past five years have been tough for almost every single major Japanese car maker. Toyota has had to issue recall after recall for seat belt issues, suddenly inflating airbags, and sticking accelerators that are known to have caused major injury to and the death of multiple drivers. While Toyota’s fortunes have, indeed, been the darkest, every one of the Land of the Rising Sun’s major producers has fallen victim in recent memory. Even Subaru, long having a reputation for quality and safety, is currently dealing with a recall for defective brakes as its competitors deal with their slew of issues.

How Can These Companies Recover Quickly?
As consumer confidence deflates like a violently punctured balloon, Japanese automakers will have to think quickly if they want to avoid a lack of confidence translating to a lack of sales. Many producers have started pushing dealers to offer more incentives for signing on with a company that has had some PR trouble as of late. One such push made it so car buyers with existing loans could obtain new loans at lower interest rates. It’s doubtful, however, that such a program will be enough. If consumers have finally reached their breaking point, Toyota and all the rest will need to think on their feet about new deals to make their vehicles, defective or otherwise, more attractive to the recall weary consumer.