Consumer News: Broccoli sold at Walmart recalled for possible listeria exposure

Cloudflare suffered an internal service degradation, not a cyberattack

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The Cloudflare, Inc. network experienced a major outage on Tuesday, affecting a broad swath of internet traffic.

• The disruption was triggered by a configuration-file malfunction which caused internal traffic-handling software to crash, rather than by a cyber-attack.

• The impact was global, hitting high-profile platforms such as ChatGPT, X (formerly Twitter), Canva, and many others that rely on Cloudflares infrastructure.

Cloudflare has completed an investigation and has offered an explanation for Tuesdays incident that interrupted internet traffic. On Tuesday morning, Cloudflare said it began to detect what it described as an internal service degradation.

The root cause was traced to a configuration file used to manage threat traffic that grew beyond its expected number of entries, which in turn triggered a crash in the software responsible for traffic handling across multiple Cloudflare services.

Importantly, Cloudflare stated that there was no indication of malicious activity behind the incident.

By around 6:40 a.m. ET, Cloudflare recognized the degradation and began investigations. A fix was deployed within a few hours, but residual effects persisted in some customer services while traffic flows stabilized.

Who was impacted

Because Cloudflare powers a large chunk of the webits network supports roughly one-in-five websites globally. Major visible disruptions were reported by platforms including:

• ChatGPT (via OpenAI) and X, where users saw errors or were unable to load services.

• Canva and other web apps that sit behind Cloudflares CDN and security infrastructure.

• Entities beyond just consumer apps: for example, regulatory bodies in the U.K. (such as the Financial Conduct Authority) and intelligence agencies reported access issues.

• Some transport and public-service websites also experienced downtime or slowness as they routed via Cloudflares infrastructure.

In short: while many end-users simply saw 500 Internal Server Error or Service Unavailable messages, the underlying effect was a large-scale ripple through online services and apps worldwide.

Why it matters

This incident underscores the fragility of modern internet infrastructure. When a major provider like Cloudflare has an internal software failure, the downstream impact is broad and visible.

According to tech industry analysts, the fact that a configuration file issue could topple widely-used services demonstrates how much of the internet hinges on a few key nodes.

For businesses and services that depend on Cloudflare, the outage highlights the importance of having contingency plans, including alternative routing or fallback providers. For everyday users, its a reminder that disruptions in infrastructure can manifest as inability to access favorite apps and websiteseven if those sites themselves are operating normally.

A study shows the best deals are when the temperature drops

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• MLK Day offers the best used-car bargains of the year, with 65.5% more deals than average.

• January is the strongest month overall for used-car shoppers, delivering 55.6% more deals.

• July 4th is the worst holiday to buy, with 22.4% fewer used-car deals; June is the worst month, down 22.8%.

Dealers usually trot out deals on new cars during the holidays, but if a used car is more in line with your budget, research suggests youll get a better deal if you wait a new weeks.

A new analysis from iSeeCars shows that the best opportunities to find meaningful savings occur during the coldest months of the year, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day emerging as the single best day to buy a used car.

The study examined more than 40 million used-car sales across 2024 and 2025, defining a good deal as at least 10% off the average used-car price of $26,889, or roughly $2,689 in savings. While the typical chance of finding a deal on any given day is just 13.7%, that number varies dramatically depending on the season or holiday.

Cold weather=hot deals

According to the data, MLK Day offers 65.5% more deals than average, followed by New Year's Eve and New Years Day, which offer 58.6% more. The pattern extends across the winter calendar: January (+55.6%), Presidents Day (+47%), February (+36.2%), and other cold-season holidays all rank near the top.

Consumers struggling to find a good deal on a used vehicle will have far more opportunities in the colder months, said iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer. He noted that used-car prices tend to follow the average temperature, generally falling from November through March and bottoming out between December 31 and late February.

Warm weather brings higher prices

The study also highlights the months and holidays when buyers are least likely to find savings. June ranks as the worst month, with 22.8% fewer deals than average, closely followed by May and July. Holidays centered in the warmer season also performed poorly, with July 4th (-22.4%), Fathers Day (-19.7%), Juneteenth (-19.7%), and Memorial Day (-18%) all offering significantly fewer deals.

Brauer cautioned shoppers about summer holiday promotions: If youre seeing announcements about special offers between Memorial Day and Labor Day, be skeptical. Do your own research to compare an advertised cars price versus its market value.

The study found that winter holidays consistently outperform summer ones. Along with MLK Day and New Years festivities, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, Christmas Eve, and Thanksgiving/Black Friday offer above-average opportunities. In contrast, Labor Day, Mothers Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th fall toward the bottom of the list.

Seasonal patterns

Monthly data mirrored the holiday rankings. January, February, and December top the list, while April through August generally underperform, and May through July show some of the lowest chances of finding a used-car deal.

Still, Brauer emphasizes that deals are always possiblejust harder to find in summer. If you need to replace a car in the summer months you can still find a good deal, he said.

A new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reveals how sleepiness is quietly sidetracking adults routines

• Nearly three-in-four U.S. adults (72%) say that sleepiness sometimes, often or always affects their daily activities.

• Adults aged 25-34 are the most likely age group (78%) to report sleepiness affecting daily life.

• The areas most impacted by daytime sleepiness: mood (60%), stress or anxiety (53%), and work productivity (42%).

Weve all had those mornings when the alarm clocks rings and we hit snooze one more time, thinking Ill just rest a little more.

But according to a recent national survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), daytime sleepiness isnt just an occasional inconvenienceits affecting everyday life for most adults.

In fact, 72% of the 2,007 U.S. adults surveyed say that sleepiness sometimes, often or always interferes with their daily activities. From dragging through the morning commute to feeling less productive at work or even in a bad mood, the impact is more widespread than many of us might realize.

Daytime sleepiness is a common problem that can be detrimental for mood, performance, and quality of life, Dr. Eric Olson, past president of the AASM, said in a news release. Healthy sleep enables us to feel great and perform our best during the day.

The study

The AASM commissioned an online survey of 2,007 adults across the U.S. in early June 2025 via Atomik Research, an independent market-research agency.

Participants answered how frequently sleepiness affects their daily activities (with options like always, often, sometimes, rarely, and never).

The data is broken down by age and gender, allowing for comparisons across different groups (for example, men vs. women, and various age spans from 1824 up through 65+).

Results: What the survey found

So, what did the survey reveal? A quick glance shows that sleepiness is far from rare. Overall:

• Always: 10% of respondents say sleepiness always affects their daily activities.

• Often: 24%

• Sometimes: 38%

• Rarely: 21%

• Never: 7%
  

Breaking it down by gender: 73% of women vs. 69% of men said sleepiness affects their daily activities sometimes, often or always. By age group, the 25-34 bracket stood out: 78% of adults aged 25-34 say they experience some level of disruption from sleepiness.

When asked specifically which parts of daily life are most impacted, the findings were telling:

• Mood: 60% of adults say sleepiness affects their mood.

• Stress or anxiety levels: 53%

• Work productivity: 42%
  

Women were more likely than men to say sleepiness affected household management (36% vs. 25%). Men were more likely than women to say it impacted driving safety (19% vs. 12%).

In short: for many adults, daytime sleepiness isnt just feeling a little sluggish its creeping into their mood, stress levels, and how well they function at work and at home.

What this means for you

If youre feeling tired during the day more often than youd like, youre not alone and this survey shows that sleepiness isnt something to brush off. Even if it feels normal, it could be affecting your mood, stress levels, productivity, and even your safety without you realizing it.

The AASM recommends adults aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night, but the quality of that sleep matters just as much as the number. If you consistently wake up groggy, struggle to focus, or rely on caffeine to get through the day, it may be worth taking a closer look at your sleep habits.

Here are a few simple steps consumers can consider:

• Set a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time can help regulate your internal clock.

• Create a wind-down routine. Dimming lights, unplugging from devices, and doing something relaxing can make it easier to fall asleep.

• Watch for signs of poor sleep quality. Loud snoring, gasping, waking up frequently, or extreme daytime sleepiness could be symptoms of an underlying sleep disorder.

• Talk to a professional if needed. If sleepiness is interfering with your daily life, the AASM suggests speaking with a health care provider or a board-certified sleep specialist.
  

The big takeaway: prioritizing sleep isnt just about feeling rested its about protecting your overall well-being and helping you get through the day with more energy, focus, and patience. If daytime sleepiness has become your new normal, it may be time to give your sleep a little more attention.

In fact, moderate daily coffee drinkers saw fewer arrhythmia episodes than abstainers

• A randomized clinical trial found that among people with a history of Atrial fibrillation (AFib) or related rhythm issues, drinking at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily was associated with a significantly lower rate of recurrence.

• Participants were randomly assigned either to continue consuming caffeinated coffee (about one cup a day) or to completely abstain from coffee and caffeine for six months following a heart-rhythm resetting procedure.

• Results showed recurrence of AFib or atrial flutter in 47% of the coffee group versus 64% in the caffeine-abstinence group a roughly 39% lower hazard of recurrence for the coffee drinkers.

If youve been told to steer clear of coffee because of irregular heartbeats, you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

AFib where the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and unevenly affects millions and is often managed by lifestyle tweaks, including avoiding stimulants.

But a new study from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and the University of Adelaide suggests that one cup of caffeinated coffee a day may not only be safe, but might actually lower the risk of recurrence of these rhythm disturbances.

Coffee increases physical activity which is known to reduce atrial fibrillation, researcher Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, said in a news release.

Caffeine is also a diuretic, which could potentially reduce blood pressure and in turn lessen A-Fib risk. Several other ingredients in coffee also have anti-inflammatory properties that could have positive effects.

The study

The study dubbed the DECAF trial (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?) was the first randomized clinical trial to test the effect of caffeinated coffee on recurrent AFib.

Researchers enrolled 200 adult patients (mean age ~69 years, about 71% male) who either had persistent AFib or atrial flutter with a history of AFib, and who were scheduled for an electrical cardioversion procedure (a controlled shock to restore normal rhythm).

After cardioversion, participants were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio: one arm was instructed to drink at least one cup of caffeinated coffee (or an espresso shot) daily, and the other arm was asked to avoid coffee and all other caffeine-containing products for six months.

Baseline coffee intake was similar in both groups (median about seven cups/week), and during follow-up, the coffee group maintained approximately seven cups/week, while the abstinence group averaged zero.

The primary outcome was a clinically detected recurrence of AFib or atrial flutter over the six-month period.

The results

At the end of six months, 47% of participants in the caffeine-consumption group experienced a recurrence of AFib or atrial flutter, compared with 64% in the abstinence group. That difference corresponds to about a 39% lower hazard of recurrence in the coffee group versus the no-coffee group.

Importantly, the study found no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups. The researchers note, however, that the trial participants were all already coffee drinkers and consumed about one cup per day; the findings may not apply to heavy coffee drinkers or to people who start coffee for the first time.

In short: for people with a history of AFib who regularly drink coffee, having roughly a cup a day may be safe and may even reduce the chance of recurrence but as always, any changes to diet or lifestyle should be discussed with your cardiologist or health care provider.

The results were astounding, first author Christopher X. Wong, Ph.D., said in the news release.

Doctors have always recommended that patients with problematic A-Fib minimize their coffee intake, but this trial suggests that coffee is not only safe but likely to be protective.

Turn your "quick Costco run" into a holiday power play

• Check Costcos Holiday Savings/Black Friday ads first and compare full bundle value (warranty, extras) to Amazon/Target/Walmartdont roam for mystery deals

• Use Costco for crowd-feeding shortcuts (party trays, bakery, rotisserie chicken, frozen breakfasts) and skip bulk perishables you cant finish or store

• Save extra with discounted multi-pack gift cards and smart toy buys: compare prices, split big sets for multiple kids, and avoid oversized or super-specific toys

If youre like me, your holiday shopping runs at Costco can go one of two ways: you either walk out feeling like a savings genius, or you stagger to the car wondering how a quick trip for turkey and paper towels turned into a $347 receipt.

Here are some practical ways to shop at Costco like a seasoned pro this holiday season. From smart Black Friday tips to a guide on buying stocking stuffers, gift cards, and holiday food. Its time to shop at Costco in a way that actually saves you money instead of quietly draining it.

Black Friday at Costco: whats worth it (and whats not)

When you think Black Friday, Costco does not always jump to mind like Amazon or Walmart. But the warehouse does roll out a strong mix of online-only and in-warehouse deals on TVs, laptops, appliances, toys, and gift sets.

Their Black Friday and Holiday Savings booklets includestaggered deals across November, with different price drops in the Thanksgiving weekend window versus early December.

Here are your pro moves:

• Check the current Holiday Savings and Black Friday ads on Costcos website or app before you ever set foot in the store. Highlight your must-buy items and mark the dates theyre valid so youre not buying something a week before it goes on sale.
• Costco sells a lot of electronics in custom bundles made only for them. So always make sure youre looking at Costcos all-in value. Do this by comparing the following:
  • The price at Costco
  • The included extras (like an extended warranty, extra controller, charging dock, case, soundbar, etc.)
  • The same item at Best Buy, Amazon, Target, or Walmart. Sometimes Costco isnt the cheapest sticker price, but the added warranty or bundle value makes it better overall.

Avoid roaming the Costco warehouse looking for surprise Black Friday deals. The fastest way to overpay is wandering the seasonal aisles looking for a random deal.

Holiday food: how to feed a crowd without blowing the budget

Costco is arguably at its best when youre feeding a group of hungry folks. This makes holiday gatherings the best time to take advantage of their bulk pricing. Just make sure you pick the right food categories, as some are a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Lean into these:

Party trays and bakery shortcuts. Things like veggie platters, shrimp rings, cheese and charcuterie trays, bakery pies, and cheesecake are often cheaper per person than buying smaller trays at a grocery store. They also save you a lot of time compared to trying to build snack trays yourself.

Their famous $4.99 rotisserie chicken is your secret weapon. Their famously cheap rotisserie can become many things: chicken pot pie, enchiladas, soup for a crowd, and that last-minute companys here dinner. You can even pay a little more and buy a large bag of chicken meat thats already been deboned, which is great for sandwiches, wraps, and fajitas.

Frozen appetizers and breakfast items. Big packages of croissants, muffins, quiche, or breakfast sandwiches can carry you through houseguests and holiday mornings for far less per serving than aspecialty grocery store.

Be careful with:

Ultra-specific holiday items. A giant tub of specialty dip, a massive ham, or a dessert tray may look like a good deal, but if you wont actually finish it, you lose any potential savings.

Perishables you dont have space for. Make sureyou know what'sin yourfreezer before you go. If yourefreezer is already stuffed,skip another bulk pack of anything that wont get used by late January.

Gift cards: quietly one of the best Costco holiday hacks

Costco sells multi-pack gift cards, typically in packs of 4, at a nice little discount. Youll typically only pay $79.99 for a 4-pack of $25 gift cards to restaurants, entertainment spots, and retailers. Thats essentially a free $20 in your wallet.

Sometimes the gift cards will even be for local restaurants and attractions, which is a cool little bonus.

Here are some smart ways to use the discounted gift cards:

• As actual gifts. Restaurant or entertainment gift cards are easy stocking stuffers or teacher/host/coach gifts that will be well received.
• To pre-discount your own holiday spending. If you know youll eat at a certain restaurant chain, go to the movies, or buy from a specific store over the holidays, buying the gift card first at Costco is like giving yourself a small rebate up front.
• Pair them with a small physical gift. A restaurant gift card plus a small food item or candle can feel much more generous than the price you actually paid.

Pro tip: Keep in mind that gift cards typically dont have the same kind of return flexibility as regular Costco merchandise, so only buy for places you or the recipient will actually use.

Toys: How to navigate without overspending

With a bunch of big colorful boxes, brand names, and only here for the season messaging, the toy section at Costco is designed to grab your attention. Butthat doesnt automatically mean everything is a deal.

How the pros shop toys at Costco:

• Know the going price before you go. Get in the habit of checking Amazon, Target, or Walmart for the specific toy. If youre buying a well-known brand (LEGO, Hot Wheels, Barbie, board games), compare the main toy as well as any accessories. Sometimes Costcos exclusive bundle version is a better value and sometimes its actually cheaper to buy without the bundle.
• Use big sets for multiple kids. Costco is known for their multi-packs of books, art supplies, and smaller toys. Consider splitting between siblings, nieces, and nephews as they make for great stocking stuffers and smaller gift ideas.
• Watch for oversized toys that are hard to return. Bikes, motorized ride-ons, and giant stuffed animals may look fun in the moment. But consider the pain in the butt they might be to store, assemble, and return if they dont work out. I always recommend keeping packaging until youre sure theyre a keeper.

Pro tip: If your kid is asking for something very specific (a certain character, color, or version), Costco may not be the right place to shop. Their bread and butter is the wow gift sets, not those super specific wish list items.