Manufacturer pleads guilty to criminal charge of not reporting a product safety issue

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

State AGs say offshore gambling sites cost U.S. communities over $4 billion in lost tax revenue annually

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• State AGs say offshore gambling sites cost U.S. communities over $4 billion in lost tax revenue annually

• AGs call foreign gambling platforms a threat to consumers and public safety

• Coalition demands DOJ use seizure powers, financial blockades, and domain takedowns

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, all 50 U.S. state and territorial attorneys general have joined forces to demand a federal crackdown on illegal offshore gambling operations, which they warn are siphoning billions from local economies and exposing vulnerable populations to serious harm.

Illegal offshore gambling platforms are siphoning billions of dollars away from American communities, exploiting vulnerable consumers, and fueling transnational crime. That ends now, saidMissouri Attorney GeneralAndrew Bailey.

In a formal letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the attorneys general urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take immediate and decisive action against the foreign-based gambling enterprises that continue to flout U.S. law. The coalition cited rampant violations of age verification, consumer protection, and tax compliance laws.

A $400 billion shadow industry

The letter warns that the illegal online gaming industry now exceeds $400 billion annually, resulting in an estimated $4 billion in lost tax revenue for U.S. state governments. These unlicensed sites, often run from jurisdictions with little oversight, undermine the legal gaming market and are linked to serious crimes including money laundering, human trafficking, and organized criminal networks.

These operations deliberately sidestep U.S. law, the letter states, functioning without licenses, avoiding taxes, and offering no safeguards to protect minors or problem gamblers.

To combat the spread of these platforms, the AGs called on the DOJ to deploy multiple enforcement tools, including:

• Seizing domain names under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act

• Confiscating assets and servers via powers granted under 18 U.S.C. 1955(d)

• Partnering with banks and payment processors to block illicit financial transactions

The AGs cited previous DOJ actions including the 2011 Black Friday online poker crackdown and the 2024 takedown of a Russian cybercrime network as models for an aggressive federal response.

The rule of law must prevail

With both economic stakes and consumer protections on the line, the letter marks an urgent appeal for coordinated enforcement, signaling that the states are no longer willing to tolerate a digital Wild West of illegal gambling. The DOJ has not yet issued a public response.

The administration proposes to allow commercial drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• Proposed FAA rule would allow commercial drones to fly beyond visual line of sight without case-by-case waivers

• Industry-backed move seen as boost to drone delivery firms like Wing, Walmart, and Zipline

• New safety, cybersecurity, and traffic-management standards required for drone operations

In a major policy shift aimed at accelerating the growth of the drone delivery sector, the Trump administration has proposed a rule that would allow commercial drones to fly beyond the visual line of sight of their operators without requiring individualized approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The new framework, unveiled Tuesday by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, would streamline the current regulatory process that industry leaders say has hampered innovation and growth in the U.S. drone market.

Its not that America cant innovate, Duffy said. Its that weve had a bureaucracy in place that makes it incredibly difficult.

Clearer path for industry players

If finalized, the rule would eliminate the need for case-by-case waivers, enabling companies like Alphabets Wing, Walmart, and Zipline to scale operations more efficiently. Drones weighing up to 1,320 pounds including cargo would be allowed to fly beyond line of sight at or below 400 feet, provided they meet industry consensus standards and comply with new cybersecurity and safety protocols.

Operators would be permitted to fly drones over people in general, but not over large public gatherings such as concerts or sporting events. Personnel involved in drone operations may also be subject to TSA threat assessments, and drones operating in certain airspaces must be equipped with collision-avoidance technology and yield to manned aircraft broadcasting location data via ADS-B.

Supporters say the rule could put the U.S. on stronger footing in the global drone market, where China currently dominates 90% of consumer drone sales. It also introduces new air traffic management standards designed to prevent midair collisions with manned aircraft and other drones.

Yet safety advocates and industry voices emphasized the importance of strong controls. In a Bloomberg report, Beth Flippo, CEO of drone tech firm DEXA, warned:We dont want people just flying any homegrown drone over people and beyond line of sight. Manned air travel is the safest form of travel in the world we dont want to jeopardize that.

The FAAs plan still requires public comment and further review, but it marks a pivotal shift toward normalizing commercial drone operations in sectors ranging from package delivery and farming to manufacturing and emergency services.

While some hurdles remain including risks from aircraft not broadcasting location data advocates hope the proposal signals a long-awaited modernization of U.S. airspace policy.

Chemours, DuPont & Corteva settle for $875M in NJ Forever Chemicals case

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs

• Companies to pay $875 million over 25 years to resolve PFAS pollution claims in New Jersey

• Settlement adds to growing list of billion-dollar payouts tied to toxic forever chemicals

• Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva to begin payments in 2026; $16.5M covers off-site contamination

In one of the largest state-level environmental settlements to date, Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva have agreed to pay $875 million to the state of New Jersey over 25 years to resolve claims tied to pollution from PFAS, the toxic substances widely known as forever chemicals.

The agreement settles state allegations that the three companies contaminated New Jerseys environment and drinking water with PFAS, a class of manmade chemicals that do not break down in nature or the human body. The payments with a present value of roughly $500 million before taxes will begin no earlier than January 1, 2026, the companies said in a joint statement.

Under the terms:

• Chemours will pay 50% of the settlement

• DuPont will cover 35.5%

• Corteva will pay the remaining 14.5%

The settlement includes $16.5 million specifically allocated to PFAS contamination not linked to the companies operating sites, signaling a broader scope of environmental harm.

PFAS litigation continues to grow

This is not the first time these firms have faced scrutiny over PFAS contamination. In 2023, the same trio settled similar claims with the state of Ohio for $110 million, and also paid $1.19 billion to settle a sweeping national lawsuit with U.S. water providers. That year, chemical giant 3M agreed to a $10.3 billion settlement for widespread PFAS pollution in public water systems.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams and industrial products. But their resistance to breakdown has turned them into a major environmental and public health concern. Linked to cancer, hormonal disorders, and developmental issues, PFAS have now become the focus of sweeping regulatory reforms and legal action across the U.S.

More legal action expected

Experts say the New Jersey deal is likely just the beginning of more state-led action. With new federal regulations on PFAS in drinking water and a deeper understanding of the chemicals long-term effects, more lawsuits and multibillion-dollar settlements are expected.

New Jersey, one of the first states to aggressively regulate PFAS, has repeatedly sued chemical manufacturers over alleged contamination. Mondays settlement provides a significant financial commitment to cleaning up decades of pollution but for many impacted communities, the legal and environmental fight over PFAS is far from over.

19 years of data reveal Indias struggle with preventable temperature-related deaths

• Over 34,000 deaths in India were related to extreme heat and cold between 20012019, most of which were preventable.

• Men aged 4560 (especially outdoor workers) were disproportionately affected by both heatstroke and cold exposure.

• Certain states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab have emerged as hotspots for temperaturerelated mortality
  

Temperature extremes, like scorching summers or unexpected cold snaps, are often more than just uncomfortable. Findings from a recent study have confirmed exactly that.

A new 19year study published in Temperature (covering 20012019 across India) finds extreme temperatures are causing thousands of avoidable deaths.

With heatwaves breaking national records and cold waves hitting regions unprepared for freezing conditions, the death toll is climbing and sadly, many lives could be saved.

Deaths due to heatstroke are more significant, compared to deaths due to cold exposure, albeit recording an upward trend, researcher Professor Pradeep Guin, said in a news release.

The study

Researchers from O.P. Jindal Global University in Sonipat combined national- and state-level data to track temperature exposure and mortality over nearly two decades.

They used official sources including the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. The national-level analysis spanned from 2001 to 2019, while state-level data covered 2001 to 2014 due to data availability.

By linking daily temperature records with natural-cause death reports, researchers calculated deaths attributable to heatstroke and cold exposure. They also examined demographic patterns such as age, gender, and state location to understand who is most at risk and where. This method enabled them to spotlight trends over time and across regions within India.

The results

Across the full study period, India saw a minimum of 19,693 deaths from heatstroke and 15,197 from cold exposure and the authors suggest these figures may be underestimated. The deadliest single year was 2015, when heatstroke killed 1,907 people and extreme cold exposure claimed 1,147.

Contrasting with global trends where women often face greater heat risks, in India men were 35 times more likely than women to die from heatstroke, and 47 times more likely from cold exposure.

The most affected age group? Working-age adults (4560 years old), likely because many men work outdoors, followed by those aged 60 and above, and those aged 3045.

The higher death toll from heatstroke in working-age men may reflect the fact that men are more likely to work outdoors than women, Professor Guin said.

Even with improvements in the female labor force participation rate in India in recent years, there are more men working outside in the open environment to meet their household needs. Physically demanding outdoor work, such as construction work, should be halted during heatwaves, and those with other outdoor jobs, such as auto rickshaw drivers and gig economy workers, should be provided with adequate relief measures, such as shaded parking areas with provisions for drinking water and toilets.

Essentially, those who are working outside are more exposed to extreme heat, thereby the more vulnerable gender to death.

State-level findings identified Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab as hotspots for heatrelated deaths. And some states not traditionally used to cold weather are reporting increasing deaths from cold exposure highlighting a lack of preparedness in areas experiencing new temperature extremes for the first time.

Looking to the future

While these findings are specific to India, they highlight the importance of taking extreme weather seriously.

Extreme temperatures arent just seasonal annoyances theyre fatal threats, especially in areas that lack the infrastructure and safety nets to keep vulnerable groups safe.

The researchers hope that these findings lead to similar work in the future that helps to protect people around the world.

We are hopeful that our work will lead to a further momentum of collaborations to understand the global and national impacts of climate change on human health, researcher Keshav Sethi said in the news release.