Author: Marivic Cabural Summers

Marie holds a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication from New Era University. She started as a young journalist in high school and won contests in campus journalism. She worked as a news writer/program producer at DZAR 1026 under the ownership of Nation Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in the Philippines. She is a freelance writer/journalist covering business and finance, health, technology, politics, regulatory actions, and other relevant issues. She previously served as editor and research analyst for Profit Confidential and has written articles for ICANNWiki, The Motley Fool, ValueWalk, Opptrends, and several other websites. In addition to iRebyu, Marie is an author and editor at USA Herald. Marie is a former Young Ambassador of Goodwill to the 26th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP). You can reach her at [email protected]

Nancy Pelosi Re-elected as House Speaker

Marivic Cabural Summers

U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-California) was narrowly re-elected to serve as House Speaker of the 117th Congress on Sunday. Pelosi won 216 votes compared with the 209 votes obtained by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy who is also from California. Five House Democrats did not support Pelosi’s re-election. Rep, Jared Golden of Maine voted for Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Three Democratic lawmakers voted present. In her remarks, Pelosi said, “As we are sworn in today, we…

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U.S. Senate passes $2 trillion emergency relief bill to stabilize economy devastated by coronavirus pandemic

Marivic Cabural Summers
U.S. Senate passes $2 trillio

The U.S. Senate passed the $2 trillion emergency relief legislation in an attempt to stabilize the country’s economy destroyed by the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Late Wednesday night, the Senate unanimously (96-0) approved the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the “CARES Act” after intense negotiations between senators and the White House. This is the third emergency funding legislation in response to the devastating crisis. He added that the “Senate stepped up” to help struggling Americans pay their bills, businesses to keep their operations and avoid lay-offs…

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T-Mobile to offer $15 phone plan, free 5G service, other freebies to remove hurdle on Sprint merger deal

Marivic Cabural Summers

T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) announced three big plans that are beneficial to consumers if its merger with Sprint Corporation (NYSE: S) closes as expected next year. The $26 billion T-Mobile-Sprint merger already obtained approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Department of Justice (DOJ). However, it is still facing a legal challenge from a coalition of state attorneys general, who believe that the deal will reduce competition and is harmful to consumers. On Thursday, T-Mobile used its Un-carrier event to make a compelling case about the merger by unveiling…

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Apple pledges $2.5 billion to help California resolve the housing shortage

Marivic Cabural Summers
Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses company's land in San Jose for affordable housing

Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) announced that it is committing $2.5 billion to help California resolve the housing shortage, which is impacting Californians in many ways. Californians are struggling to find affordable housing. As a result, some are forced to make the difficult decision to leave and move to another state where it is cheaper to rent or buy a home. Others end up living in their vehicles or worse in shelters. On Monday, Apple noted that “nearly 30,000 people left San Francisco between April and June this year and the…

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Taco Bell recalls 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef possibly contaminated with metal shavings

Marivic Cabural Summers
Taco Bell--tacos

Taco Bell immediately recalled around 2.3 million pounds of seasoned beef from its restaurants and distribution centers after a customer complained of finding a metal shaving in an order. The company’s supplier Kenosha Beef International also issued a voluntary call of its seasoned beef possibly contaminated with foreign matter specifically metal shaving. Kenosha produced the contaminated seasoned beef product at one plant and were sent Taco Bell’s distribution centers in Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virgiania. Taco Bell and Kenosha reported the recall to the U.S. Department of…

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Refunds: FTC sending checks to consumers defrauded by LifeLock, Pro Timeshare Resales

Marivic Cabural Summers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending refunds to customers deceived by LifeLock and to those defrauded by Pro Timeshare Resales, LLC. According to the FTC, the total amount of the consumer refunds is $33.7 million including $31 million from LifeLock and $2.7 million from Pro Time Share Resales. The refunds were part of the consumer watchdog’s settlement agreements with both companies. LifeLock consumers will receive checks with an average amount $29 In 2015, LifeLock agreed to pay $100 million to settle the FTC’s lawsuit alleging that the identity theft…

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AB 1313: This new California law eliminates schools’ counterproductive debt collection practices

Marivic Cabural Summers
California State Seal

One of the problems confronting young Americans is their outstanding student loan debt, which oftentimes serves as a hindrance to their success. At present, More than 44 million Americans have outstanding student loan debt totaling over $1.5 trillion. Therefore, the United States has a student debt crisis. California Governor Gavin Newson recently signed into law legislation that would help alleviate the crisis by ensuring students can pursue educational and career opportunities. The state’s newly-approved law, AB 1313, the Educational Debt Collection Practices Act, prohibits private and public postsecondary schools’ existing…

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Using e-cigarettes or vaping is bad for your health, period

Marivic Cabural Summers

Millions of people worldwide are now using e-cigarettes or vaping, which are marketed as an alternative way to quit or reduce smoking tobacco—the leading cause of lung cancer, tuberculosis, and other chronic respiratory illnesses and even death. E-cigarettes are also called e-cigs, e-hookahs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, vape pens, vapes and tanks systems. These are battery-powered devices containing liquid nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other chemicals and flavorings that are converted into aerosol, which users inhale into their lungs. Take note that e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the highly addictive chemical found in…

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