July 22, 2025 • By GlobeNewswire

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July 22, 2025 • By Community Bankshares

Here is a concise summary of the news article: Thomas Financial Group, a subsidiary of Community Bankshares Inc., has successfully closed a $19.975 million USDA Business & Industry loan to refinance and renovate two historic hotels in downtown Mendocino, California. The loan will be used to restore the Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites and Hill House Inn, creating over 50 new jobs and preserving the properties' historic charm. The project is part of a growing trend of using USDA financing to support economic development in rural areas, and Thomas Financial Group is a leader in this effort. The loan provides a 30-year term with an 80% USDA guarantee and no balloon payments, offering stability for the borrower. The renovation will include authentic local design elements and highlight regional artisans, and is expected to reactivate the properties as thriving anchors of the Mendocino community.

July 22, 2025 • By Sabrina Ortiz

The article discusses the author's experience with NotebookLM, a virtual information manager and AI research assistant. NotebookLM allows users to upload files, organize them into notebooks, and utilize AI-powered features such as generating study guides, briefings, and FAQs. The author found the organization system to be helpful, especially for students and working professionals who need to manage multiple sources and notes. The AI features in NotebookLM can synthesize information from multiple sources, provide answers informed by the collective, and link back to the original sources. The author notes that NotebookLM only pulls information from the sources fed into it, reducing the risk of hallucinations and bias. Additionally, NotebookLM offers enterprise-level protections for users with access through their Google Workspace account. Overall, the author finds NotebookLM to be a useful tool for managing information and leveraging AI-powered features.

July 22, 2025 • By MarketBeat News

Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in TransUnion (NYSE:TRU) by 33% in the first quarter, according to its latest Form 13F filing. The firm now owns 943 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at $78,000. Other hedge funds, including Townsquare Capital LLC, Huntington National Bank, and Rovin Capital UT ADV, also modified their holdings in TransUnion. The company's stock opened at $92.25 on Tuesday, with a market capitalization of $18 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.07. TransUnion recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.115, representing a yield of 0.50%. Insiders, including Steven M. Chaouki, have sold shares of the company's stock in recent transactions. Analysts have commented on the stock, with BMO Capital Markets raising its rating to "strong-buy" and Wells Fargo & Company decreasing its price target to $117.00. TransUnion operates as a global consumer credit reporting agency, providing risk and information solutions through its U.S. Markets, International, and Consumer Interactive segments.

July 22, 2025 • By GlobalData

Here is a concise summary of the news article: US-based Farmer Brothers Coffee has started exploring "strategic" options to maximize shareholder value. The company, which owns the Farmer Brothers and Boyd's Coffee brands, has made significant progress in transforming its operations over the last two years. After selling $100m in assets to TreeHouse Foods in June 2023, the company has focused on improving its financial and operational structure. A strategy committee has been established to assess various options, and the company has hired financial and legal advisors. There is no specific timeline for the review, and no guarantee of a transaction or strategic outcome.

July 22, 2025 • By Celiac Canada

Celiac Canada has partnered with Conagra Brands Canada to improve gluten-free food services in healthcare and long-term care facilities. The partnership aims to provide safe and high-quality gluten-free meals for individuals with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. A comprehensive guide, "Gluten-Free Food Service in Health Care: A Practical Guide," will be distributed to healthcare food service professionals to help them navigate gluten-free meal preparation and cross-contamination prevention. The initiative aims to drive meaningful change and set a new standard for gluten-free food service in Canada.

July 22, 2025 • By Himesh Mankad

The article discusses the box office performance of the movie "Saiyaara" starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. According to early trends, the film is expected to collect between Rs 24.50 crore to Rs 25.50 crore on Tuesday, taking its 5-day total collections to around Rs 130 crore. The movie has benefited from discounted pricing on Tuesday, with record occupancies across the board. The film's performance is being termed as "historic" and is defying the rules of theatrical business. The article also praises the decision of the film's distributor, YRF, to participate in the pricing offer, which has boosted footfalls and helped the film reach a larger audience.

July 22, 2025 • By Subhash Narayan

The Indian government has reported a significant decline in the gross non-performing assets (NPA) ratio of public sector banks (PSBs) from 9.11% in March 2021 to 2.58% in March 2025. The total value of NPAs has dropped from ₹6.16 trillion to ₹2.83 trillion during this period. The government attributes this reduction to measures taken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which has transformed the credit landscape and improved the recovery process. Additionally, the government has amended laws and introduced new practices, such as specialized stressed assets management and independent asset valuation, to further reduce NPAs.

July 22, 2025 • By Lucas GC Limited

Lucas GC Limited (NASDAQ: LGCL) has received a notification from Nasdaq stating that it has regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share. The company's ordinary shares had failed to meet this requirement in January 2025, but have now maintained a bid price of $1.00 or greater for 20 consecutive business days, from June 20 to July 18, 2025. As a result, the matter is now closed. Lucas GC Limited is an AI technology-driven Platform-as-a-Service company with applications in human resources, insurance, and wealth management.

July 22, 2025 • By Blurbs

Here is a concise summary of the news article: Blurbs, a community-driven platform, has launched TrustBlurbs.com to help marketing teams navigate the crowded martech software landscape. The platform aims to reduce noise in the buying process and empower buyers to make informed decisions with insights from real users and vendors. With martech spending projected to reach $215 billion by 2027, Blurbs provides a trusted resource for buyers to discover, evaluate, and connect with vendors. The platform offers anonymous browsing, mini-RFI submissions, and personalized answers from vendors, reducing spam and chasing. Founded by martech veterans, Blurbs has already supported a community of 400+ active buyers and thousands of tracked vendors, with plans to expand into vendor vetting and transaction enablement. Access is free for buyers and agencies, while vendors can pay for tiered subscriptions to control their summaries.

July 22, 2025 • By Katie Genter

The article discusses the concept of annual fees associated with credit cards and when it may be worth paying them. Many people avoid credit cards with annual fees, but the author argues that these fees can unlock valuable earnings and benefits that offset the cost. Credit card annual fees typically range from $50 to $800 and are charged on the cardholder's account anniversary. Some cards offer an annual fee waiver for the first year, and issuers may offer discounted annual fees or perks to high-value customers. The article highlights two types of credit cards that typically charge annual fees: starter cards for consumers with limited or poor credit and travel rewards cards that offer various perks and benefits. Cards without annual fees often have less valuable welcome bonuses, lower earning rates, and restricted points or miles. However, cards with annual fees can provide valuable benefits, such as lounge access, travel protections, and statement credits, that can justify the cost. The author advises considering the math and weighing the benefits against the annual fee before dismissing credit cards with annual fees. Ultimately, paying an annual fee can be a smart investment for those who travel frequently or want to maximize rewards.

July 22, 2025 • By Chloe Mayer

A law firm called America First Legal (AFL) is seeking an investigation into Cracker Barrel, a Southern restaurant chain, over its diversity and inclusion policies. AFL claims that Cracker Barrel's initiatives, which provide benefits to specific groups such as women, Black, LGBTQ+, and Latino employees, are discriminatory and violate federal and state civil rights laws. The firm has requested that the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Tennessee Attorney General investigate the matter. Cracker Barrel has not yet responded publicly to the allegations. The case is part of a wider debate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which have been criticized by some, including former President Donald Trump, as being discriminatory. However, many business leaders believe that DEI initiatives are beneficial for companies and improve financial performance and customer loyalty.

July 22, 2025

CNBC Make It is offering an online course, "How To Build A Standout Personal Brand Online, In Person and At Work", to help individuals create a strong personal brand. The course, led by three experts, provides practical guidance on building a brand that creates opportunities and authentically represents who you are. It covers topics such as discovering what sets you apart, expressing yourself confidently, and building a cohesive LinkedIn profile. The course is suitable for job seekers, professionals, and anyone looking to grow their presence. A 30% introductory discount is available with the coupon code EARLYBIRD until September 2, 2025.

July 22, 2025 • By Honor Jones

The article is a personal and literary exploration of the island of Corfu, Greece, and its connection to the life and work of author John le Carré. The author, Honor Jones, travels to Corfu to follow in the footsteps of le Carré, who wrote about the island in his novel "A Perfect Spy". Jones reflects on le Carré's life, his experiences as a spy, and his writing process, which often involved drawing from his own life and relationships. The article also delves into the history and culture of Corfu, including its complex past as a hub of espionage and its current status as a popular tourist destination. Throughout the piece, Jones weaves together her own observations and experiences on the island with insights into le Carré's work and biography, creating a unique and introspective narrative.

July 22, 2025 • By Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Dubai Chambers has announced its inaugural Dubai Business Forum – USA, to be held in New York City on November 12. The forum aims to attract new capital and strategic investments from the US to Dubai, showcasing the emirate's economic fundamentals and competitive advantages. It will bring together business leaders and policymakers to discuss mutual economic priorities and collaborations. The event coincides with a significant increase in US company registrations with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, with over 3,500 active US firms, signifying confidence in Dubai's position as a center for regional and global financial expansion.

July 22, 2025 • By Jerry Weissman, Contributor, Jerry Weissman, Contributor https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerryweissman/

The article discusses the importance of making a good first impression, particularly in the first two seconds of a presentation. Research shows that people make snap judgments based on first impressions, and presenters often create a negative impression due to stress and adrenaline, which can cause them to appear "shifty-eyed". To avoid this, the author suggests using the initial "throat clearing moment" to scan the room purposefully, accompanying the action with welcoming words. This approach can make the presenter appear courteous and aware of their surroundings, rather than furtive. Once the room has been scanned, the presenter can begin to make eye contact with individual audience members, one at a time.

July 22, 2025 • By Monica Sanders, Senior Contributor, Monica Sanders, Senior Contributor https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicasanders/

Here is a concise summary of the news article: The US is facing a record number of natural disasters, and there are concerns that the federal government may reduce its role in disaster response, potentially eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This has raised questions about whether states can handle disasters without FEMA's support. Business leaders are worried about the potential consequences, including higher costs, legal risks, and reputational damage. Without FEMA, states would have to cover enormous costs themselves, and businesses may have to shoulder more responsibility for disaster planning and recovery. The article highlights the legal gaps in state disaster laws and the potential for a patchwork of different regulations, which could create challenges for businesses operating across multiple states. To prepare for this potential shift, businesses should review their disaster plans, assess their insurance coverage, and engage with state and local officials to understand their roles and responsibilities in disaster response.