19th & 22nd

  Accenture confirms data breach after August ransomware attack https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/accenture-confirms-data-breach-after-august-ransomware-attack/ SOURCE:  Sergiu Gatlan, Bleeping Computer  Retail credit cards have APRs as high as 30%—here’s why they’re typically not worth it https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/15/why-retail-credit-cards-typically-arent-worth-it.html SOURCE:  Nicolas Vega, CNBC 

  Retailer FatFace pays $2m ransom to Conti cyber criminals  https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252498463/Retailer-FatFace-pays-2m-ransom-to-Conti-cyber-criminals SOURCE:  Alex Scroxton, Security Editor & Valéry Marchive, Rédacteur en chef, Computer Weekly  San Francisco Guarantees Local Artists $1,000 Per Month Income https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/san-francisco-guarantees-local-artists-034020865.html SOURCE:  Bruce Haring, Deadline  (via Yahoo! Entertainment)

  Buffalo Public Schools cancels classes after cyberattack https://www.cyberscoop.com/buffalo-public-schools-canceled-cyberattack-ransomware/ SOURCE:  Shannon Vavra, CyberScoop  Toys R Us has a new owner that’s planning to open stores again in the U.S. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/15/whp-global-takes-controlling-stake-in-toys-r-us-plans-to-open-stores.html SOURCE:  Lauren Thomas, CNBC 

  Medical school graduate sees nearly all of his $440,000 in student loans discharged https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/medical-school-graduate-440000-student-loans-discharged-151422886.html SOURCE:  Aarthi Swaminathan·Reporter, Yahoo Finance  Victoria's Secret store closings: Retailer to close up to 50 stores while Bath & Body Works opens new locations https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/shopping/2021/02/24/victoria-secret-store-closures-2021-bath-body-works-opening/6806159002/ SOURCE:  Kelly Tyko, USA Today 

  Joe Biden and Kamala Harris drop a playlist for your inauguration watch party https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/16/politics/joe-biden-inauguration-playlist/index.html SOURCE:  Kelly McCleary, CNN Apple is closing even more stores across three states due to COVID https://mashable.com/article/apple-store-closures-texas-north-carolina-georgia-washington-dc/ SOURCE:  Anna Iovine, Mashable

  Sephora’s plan to combat racial bias: Fewer security guards, more Black-owned brands and new protocols https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/13/sephora-race-bias-discrimination/ SOURCE:  Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post Google closes its Fitbit acquisition https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/14/google-closes-its-fitbit-acquisition.html SOURCE:  Jessica Bursztynsky, CNBC News 

  Amazon launches new service that uses a virtual body double to create custom shirts https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/15/amazon-made-for-you-uses-virtual-body-double-to-create-custom-t-shirts.html SOURCE:  Annie Palmer, CNBC 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E first drive review: Electric muscle https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-review/ SOURCE:  Stephen Edelstein, DigitalTrends

  Byron Allen announces launch of TheGrio.TV, to premiere MLK weekend https://thegrio.com/2020/12/04/allen-media-group-thegrio/ SOURCE:  Biba Adams, The Grio IKEA to stop publishing its iconic catalog after 70 years https://fortune.com/2020/12/07/ikea-catalog-2021-stops-publishing/ SOURCE:  Phil Wahba, Fortune Magazine 

I think it's a great idea that Walmart is making it easier to get free shipping on orders under $35.  In regards to the CDC shortening the quarantine timeline after virus exposure -- this makes me feel that no one (including the CDC) really understands coronavirus. I think they are just making 'guesses' on what to do. When you think about it, what was the medical basis and proof that '14 days' was enough time to get rid of the virus in the first place? Walmart will remove $35 minimum on online orders for its members https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/12/02/walmart-remove-35-minimum-for-free-shipping-online-orders/3792089001/ SOURCE:  Coral Murphy, USA Today CDC says recommended quarantine time after COVID-19 exposure may be shortened to 7 or 10 days, down from 14 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/02/cdc-cuts-quarantine-time-after-covid-19-exposure-7-10-days/3793548001/ SOURCE:  Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today 

 Great tips on 'Prime Day Deals' in the articles below.. All the best Prime Day deals from Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, more https://mashable.com/shopping/best-prime-day-deals-2020/ SOURCE:  Miller Kern, Mashable  Walmart Prime Day Sale: The best deals to shop before Amazon https://www.digitaltrends.com/dtdeals/walmart-is-having-a-prime-day-sale-on-nintendo-switch-and-4k-tvs/ SOURCE:  Jacob Kienlen, DigitalTrends

I've seen a lot of complaints online recently about delivery delays from IKEA. I have to say I am surprised. Each time I have ordered from IKEA my items have arrived on time. However, I will admit that I have not ordered from them since the COVID outbreak.  From what I am reading, it is taking anywhere from 3 weeks to over a month to receive an order. That's crazy! Other customers have said that at times you can't even order on the IKEA website and that it takes forever to get a refund. Not sure what is going on at IKEA, but I am guessing they are having a hard time delivering orders because their product sources have been impacted by COVID.  Below are articles that provide more insight into what some IKEA customers are experiencing... IKEA customers complain of delays https://www.wbrc.com/2020/09/03/ikea-customers-complain-delays/ SOURCE:    John Matarese, WBRC Ikea’s e-commerce was already pretty bad. During COVID-19, it absolutely fell apart https://www.fastcompan...

The unemployment rate is still pretty high. Thousands of people have been furloughed or laid off.  There are also people who are "voluntarily" leaving their jobs because they are afraid of contracting COVID.  Those who have made the decision to chose their health over their job are probably going to catch a lot of flack from people on the outside looking in. You see, these people will holler that those quitting their jobs are not scared of COVID, they are just lazy and want to collect those "enhanced" unemployment benefits.  In my view, some of the ones making the criticism don't want hospitality workers to quit because who will be there to check them out at the grocery store? Or make their hamburger and fries? They think people quitting their jobs are selfish, but they don't see their views as being selfish at all.  A former neighbor of mine, Rainia, has worked in the retail industry for the past 6 years. She started out as a clerk and worked her way up to ...