Consumer Reports

The United States is set to finalize vehicle fuel economy standards that are sharply lower than previously planned, according to a Reuters report. The rollback would ease requirements on automakers to improve mileage efficiency, a reversal of stricter rules pursued under earlier policy. The move is likely to draw criticism from environmental groups while being welcomed by parts of the auto industry.

The Trump administration is preparing a broad rollback of US clean car rules, according to a New York Times report. The move would loosen emissions and fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, a policy with major consequences for automakers, air quality and the country's climate goals, and it is already drawing attention given the stakes for the auto industry.

President Donald Trump announced that he approved new fuel economy standards that would end what he calls the Biden administration's electric vehicle mandate. The move relaxes requirements pushing automakers toward EV production, and it is being widely reported by major outlets including Reuters. The change is expected to affect carmakers' plans and renew debate over federal climate and transportation policy.

The Trump administration is moving to loosen federal fuel economy standards for cars, according to a New York Times report dated September 26, 2026. The reported rollback of car emissions and mileage requirements is drawing attention from climate and US politics observers, who see it as a significant reversal of vehicle efficiency policy with consequences for emissions and consumers.

US health regulators have announced a recall of raw milk cheese linked to an ongoing E. coli outbreak, according to the FDA. Outlets including DC News Now, WTNH and NewsNation are reporting the recall, which affects consumers who may have purchased the contaminated cheese. Officials typically urge anyone with the product to discard it and seek medical care if symptoms of E. coli infection develop.

Rising US gas prices are pushing car buyers toward electric vehicles, with Edmunds reporting an increase in searches for EVs alongside fuel costs. Industry watchers see the pattern as confirmation that pump prices directly shape shopping behavior, and commentators are debating whether the surge in interest will translate into actual sales as more affordable electric models reach the market.

Health officials in the United Kingdom are reporting a sharp rise in cyclosporiasis, an intestinal infection caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, with many cases linked to recent travel to Mexico. The illness typically causes prolonged watery diarrhoea, fatigue and stomach cramps, and is associated with consuming contaminated food or water. Travellers are being advised to take food and water precautions and to seek medical advice if symptoms develop after returning home.

UBS analysts published research arguing that AI shopping agents could significantly reshape hardline, broadline and food retail. The report examines how automated assistants that search, compare and purchase on behalf of consumers may alter how customers find products, shift pricing power and change the role of retailers' websites and brands in the buying process.

A reporter has tested the player-protection measures that DraftKings, one of the largest US sports betting operators, says it has in place to guard against problem gambling. The findings are prompting discussion about how effective self-exclusion tools, deposit limits and identity checks really are, and whether regulators should tighten requirements on the fast-growing online betting industry.

The Seattle City Council has voted to ban surveillance pricing in the sale of groceries, meaning retailers will be prohibited from setting individualized prices based on customer data such as shopping history or personal profiles. Consumer advocacy groups, including Consumer Reports, backed the move, framing it as a safeguard against companies charging different shoppers different prices for the same items. The ordinance is being discussed as one of the first local measures of its kind in the United States.

Labcorp has agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle a class action over a data breach affecting customers in Wisconsin. The 2026 settlement would compensate individuals whose personal information was exposed in the incident. Details on payment terms, eligibility deadlines, and the number of affected residents have not yet been widely reported.

The Wall Street Journal reports on the growth of 'almost-premium' credit cards — cards that sit between basic no-fee products and high-end travel cards, offering some perks and mid-level annual fees. Issuers are increasingly targeting consumers who want a taste of premium benefits like credits and lounge access without paying top-tier prices, reshaping the card market's middle segment.

Insurers increasingly offer wellness rewards and premium discounts in exchange for data from fitness trackers, prompting debate over whether the trade-off is worth it. Reports highlight privacy risks: shared health and activity data could be used to adjust pricing, assess risk, or be exposed in breaches, and consumers are urged to read consent terms carefully before opting in.

A new report examines how the gluten-free food industry is being shaped by two forces at once: rising consumer demand for gluten-free products and evolving regulatory standards governing labeling and health claims. Analysts say manufacturers will need to balance product innovation with stricter compliance requirements as the market matures and regulators tighten definitions of what can legitimately be called gluten-free.

Apple has started offering a lease program covering iPhones and other devices, according to Scripps News. The move would let customers pay monthly to use Apple hardware rather than buying it outright, adding a new option alongside existing installment plans and trade-in offers. Details on pricing, availability and lease terms have not been widely reported yet.

A new USA Today report examines how high-income Americans continue to spend robustly even as the broader economy shows signs of strain. Well-off households, cushioned by savings, investments and rising asset values, are less exposed to price pressures and job worries than lower-income consumers, and their continued spending is helping keep parts of the economy afloat. Commenters are weighing what this wealth-driven consumption means for the rest of the country.

Colorado regulators have issued a recall of marijuana vape products sold by a cannabis company at more than 400 stores across the state. Consumers are being urged to stop using the affected products. The news, reported by CBS News, is drawing attention as it raises fresh concerns about safety oversight in the state's large legal marijuana market.

Sales of Chinese electric vehicles continue to rise in Norway, according to Euronews, even as scepticism about Chinese-made cars grows among European consumers and policymakers. Norway, the world's leading market for electric car adoption, has proven notably open to Chinese brands. The report examines the gap between public wariness and actual buying behaviour.

Sony has filed a patent for a PlayStation controller that would accept credit card payments, allowing players to make purchases directly through the gamepad. The filing was reported by Video Games Chronicle. The technology could enable in-game shopping or microtransactions without leaving a game, though a patent filing does not guarantee the feature will reach consumer hardware.

Reports say there is a solution for the iPhone 15's overheating problem, but it is one many users may find unwelcome. Apple's latest phone has drawn complaints that it runs hot during use, and the proposed fix reportedly involves changes or compromises that owners are unlikely to embrace. Discussion is circulating around what the remedy actually requires and whether Apple will issue a software update to address the issue directly.