2015 Event China devalues the yuan by 1% after devaluations of 1.62% and 1.92% over the past two days; the moves are an effort to stem an economic slowdown by boosting the competitiveness of exports and reducing the costs of borrowing 2015 Event The Swiss National Bank has uncapped the Swiss franc against the euro, resulting in a rise in its currency value from 1.20 to 1.04 francs/euro; the bank also reduced interest rates from -.25% to -.75%, increasing costs to investors who store deposits 2014 Event The International Space Station announces that it has successfully installed and operated a 3D printer; the printer will be used to reduce costs by manufacturing parts at the station rather than transporting them from Earth 2014 Event Facebook and Apple are offering to pay the costs of freezing the eggs of female employees covered by the companies' insurance plans; the companies see the offering as a way to help women focus on their careers if they wish to delay motherhood 2014 Event Wal Mart announces that, due to the Affordable Care Act, it will increase health benefit costs for all employees and end health benefits for its 30,000 or so workers with fewer than 30 hours per week; the changes will take place in January 2015 2014 Event Movie studio Warner Brothers announces plans to lay off employees and reduce costs in order to improve efficiency; parent company Time Warner Inc. is seeking improvements across its divisions after rejecting a buyout offer by Rupert Murdoch earlier this year 2014 Event Coca Cola Company announces that it plans to reduce its costs by $1 billion over the next few years in an effort to counteract slowing demand 2013 Event Canada's Cirque du Soleil cuts 400 jobs due to strong loonie and surging costs 2011 Event Japan's government announces they require a $157 billion additional budged to cover costs for recovering from the tsunami and earthquake in March 2011 2011 Event In efforts to fund rising social security costs, the Government of Japan plans to double its sales tax over four years 1997 Event U.S. Agriculture Department estimates it costs $149,820 to raise a child to 18 1971 Event 1st class postage now costs 8 cents (was 6 cents) 1931 Event Lou Gehrig hits a home run but is called out for passing a runner, mistake costs him AL home run crown; he and Babe Ruth tie for season 1925 Event Scopes guilty of teaching evolution in a Tennessee High School, fined $100 and costs 1917 Event 1st class mail now costs 3 cents per ounce
