Newsletter Nov 18, 2021

President Biden asked the Federal Trade Commission to look into oil companies for any wrongdoing that is costing Americans at the pump.

3 things you must know

Biden goes after oil companies over rising gas prices
There are many market factors influencing the price of oil, from OPEC+ tightening exports to supply chain issues slowing imports. But President Joe Biden suspects there may be more at play than fair market forces, and he's asking the FTC to investigate it.
Like other skeptics, Biden took note of the fact that Americans are paying the highest prices at the pumps in 30 years while oil companies are reporting record profits. "I do not accept hard-working Americans paying more for gas because of anti-competitive or otherwise potentially illegal conduct," Biden said..
FIND OUT WHAT THE FTC COULD DO TO REGULATE PRICES

Panel calls on Congress to address threats posed by China
Monday's virtual summit between President Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may not have achieved any major foreign policy breakthroughs, but the timing of the meeting and the release of new intel did set off a few alarm bells for trade officials.
On Wednesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission identified new threats to the U.S. posed by China. The panel urged Congress to address the potential dangers created by American investment in a country aligned the U.S..
SEE THE CHALLENGES CHINA POSES TO US INTERESTS

Over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in past year
The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic stole a lot of national focus away from the opioid epidemic, although in reality it only made matters worse for its victims. In fact, the U.S. just set a record of more than 100,000 deaths by drug overdose in a year's span.
That's a sharp increase from the 93,000 drug-overdose deaths in 2020, suggesting the pandemic had a negative impact. The rise of dangerous designer drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.have created a deadly cocktail for addicts.
FIND OUT WHAT THE CDC IS DOING TO CURB OVERDOSES

Markets

DJIA	35,931.05	-0.58%
S&P 500	4,688.67	-0.26%
Nasdaq Composite	15,921.57	-0.33%
Japan: Nikkei 225	29,451.41	-0.80%
UK: FTSE 100	7,291.20	-0.49%
Crude Oil Futures	77.51	-1.08%
Gold Futures	1,867.80	-0.13%
Yen	114.03	-0.07%
Euro	1.13	0.11%
* As of market close

Apple allows DIY iPhone, Mac user fixes

In what as being hailed as a victory for tech nerds and a non-story for those with two tech thumbs, Apple will start allowing IPhone users to make their own repairs by offering commonly replaced parts. Those with the know-how can avoid those annoying trips to the service center by doing it themselves, while technophobes are still at Apple's mercy.

The freedom for users to fix their own gadgets has long been called for by "right-to-repair" advocates. Apple previously restricted repairs to technicians at authorized service centers, where device owners often deal with lengthy waits and costly tabs. But the new Self-Service Repair program lets customers work on bruised Apple products.

FIND OUT HOW TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR A DIY DEVICE FIX

COVID transmission to animals fuels fears

As human beings finally gain some control in their two-year battle with COVID-19, the next big concern could be the transmission of the virus to animals during that time. Everything from wildlife to house pets and zoo animals have contracted COVID and spread it to their species.

There's reason for concern not only for the animals' well-being, but also what could happen if the virus mutates and a new strain is reintroduced to humans. Although COVID likely mutated in humans well before the pandemic outbreak, there's fear that animals could trigger the next one.

SEE WHAT'S BEING DONE TO PREVENT THE NEXT PANDEMIC

Starbucks breaks out the red recycle cups

Starbucks is ready to show its true colors this holiday season -- green for the environment (and the mermaid on the company logo) and red for the free reusable cup that has become a holiday tradition at the coffee chain. Starbucks starts offering the red cups in stores today.

Returning for a fourth year, the red cups are available to customers who order one of its popular seasonable beverages (like a Peppermint Mocha or a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew). Customers can return with the clean cup to get 10 cents off their next order while feeling good about it.

FIND OUT THE OTHER HOLIDAY OFFERS FROM STARBUCKS