12 sided One Pound Coin

The Royal Mint issues new One Pound Coin for 2017

Thanks to the ease of being able to forge the current pound coin, and there being around 45 million forgeries in circulation, The Royal Mint has decided to introduce a new 12 sided pound coin, based on the iconic Threepenny Bit. 

Described as 'a leap into the future' the new coin uses the latest in anti forgery technology. However, there is doubt for many businesses who operate machines such as; drinks machines, parking meters, shopping trollies and so on. Every mechanism in these will have to be changed at a cost of thousands to operators. The old 'round' pound coin is 30 years old and very vulnerable to counterfeiting. 

Therefore, The Royal Mint has said it now time to retire the old coin and replace it with something that can take the UK's economy into the future. It will have a similar structure to that of the current £2 coin. Using two metals and a new bank-note strength security feature pioneered at Royal Mints headquarters in Llantrisant Wales. It is being heralded as the most secure coin in the world...

What do you think? Comment below and let us know what you think of the new design. 

Facebook Layout Changes Once Again

Updated timeline rolls out 'this week'

New Facebook layout

So this is what the new and supposedly improved Facebook will look like. The update mandatory to all users, rolls out this week. Some already have it, while others will be waiting a while longer.

The timeline features a more streamlined look, with pictures taking on a more focused design. A bit like the mobile version. You'll notice the 'home' button and your name have been moved from the left to the right side of the page, and an a feature for quick access to your privacy settings, has now been added. You will also notice the icons for particular actions has also changed. With updated icons for, 'comments, likes and poking'.

Another added feature is the ability to see what timeline you are currently viewing. I.e Most Recent Stories or Top Stories.

That's not all! Facebook pages will also have a major face lift. All your posts will  now streamline down the right hand side of the page, leaving the left side to be filled with information about you or your business. Your opening times, contact details and more. Also on the left will be the option to invite more people to your page

A feature showing your likes 'this week' and other stats will show on the top right. Facebook has also added new navigational buttons to the top of the page. Showing Page, Activity, Insights and Settings. They are also launching a new feature called 'Pages to watch'. 

This is in the insights tab and lets users track similar pages to their own. 

Tracking performance and stats and the pasts weeks most engaging posts.

So there you have it, an almost complete redesign. Did you know it was a year today that Facebook introduced us to the current timeline? Do you have it yet? What do you think of the change?

One thing is for curtain, even if you don't yet have the new layout, it is coming! 

Cheryl Cole joins The X-Factor

Cheryl confirms return for £1.5m

Yes, Simon Cowell has confirmed Cheryl will be part of the judging panel for the new series of The X-Factor. He has been trying to coo the former judge back to the show for the past few months, and with an offer of £1.5m she is back!

After not being so successful on the US version of the show, having no support from Simon, it is to everyone's delight that she is back. Cheryl and Simon had a falling out over the alleged level of support in America. The pair has since made up and will now look to be a fighting force, while looking for new talent in the next series.

Simon took to Twitter to say Cheryl was back and so did the Girls Aloud star herself. 

She wrote: 'GUESS WHAT!!.. I'm baaaacccckkkkk!!!! #iMayActuallyRingHisNeck #XFactor2014 #leggooo (sic)'

What's more, Cheryl - who was previously a panellist on The X Factor from 2008 to 2010 - has reportedly agreed a £1.5million one-year deal to return to the programme after making up with Simon after he sacked her from the US X Factor just weeks into her role Stateside in 2011.  

According to The Sun newspaper, a friend of the former Girls Aloud singer said: 'This is nothing to do with the money. She loves the show and has unfinished business.'

Dolly Parton to play Glastonbury!!!

Country Star to play this years festival 

The country legend that is Dolly Parton is to play Glastonbury this year. Emily Eavis, Glastonbury organiser has now confirmed. The organiser and members of the public are extremely excited as they have been calling on Parton to play for years. An now she has finally agreed. Parton has recently shared the news with her 3 million followers by saying:

"I'm incredibly excited to FINALLY announce that the #BlueSmokeWorldTour is coming to @GlastoFest on June 29th! ;) Stay tuned for more info…"

Parton is due to perform in Sunday's 'Legend slot' on the pyramid stage, where last year Kenny Rogers performed. 

Other headline acts are being kept a closely guarded secret, although Lilly Allen has let slip she will be performing. 

Ofgem tell big 6 energy suppliers to pay back!

Big 6 Energy companies to pay back into closed accounts

Ofgem have told the big 6 energy suppliers to pay back money left in customers closed accounts. This includes money that was left in accounts after the customer transferred to another energy company. The regulator has said the sum of just over £202m for domestic customers and £204m for business customers, is just to 'larger' amount. It also thing 3.5m domestic and 300,000 business customers are affected.

The regulator is investigating whether or not suppliers policies on returning customers money comply with existing rules.

The representative body for the suppliers, Energy UK have said, returning the money can be a difficult job as customers don't always leave updated contact details. 

In a statement it said "Energy companies try and make sure individual customers' money gets back to its rightful owners. However, more commonly, energy companies are owed many times more money by people who leave unpaid debts behind them."

Energy UK chief executive told Radio 5 Live:

"We want to give the money back, of course we do," she said. "Thousands of letters are sent out, people are telephoned, but if you don't have contact details, how do you find them?"

Lee Rigby Killers Jailed For Life

Adebolajo and Adebowale jailed for minimum of 45 years

The pair are guilty of driving into Lee Rigby, before hacking him to death. It was said the pair was absent for the sentencing as there was a scuffle in the dock. As the sentence was being read out to the men, they started shouting and causing a scuffle with the security guards. They had to be pinned to the floor and then removed from the court.

Fusilier Rigby's family sobbed as Adebolajo shouted "Allahu Akbar", and Adebowale called out "that's a lie" as the judge told them their extremist views were "a betrayal of Islam".

One relative needed medical treatment after the outbursts. 

The judge was said to have apologised for what Lee's family had to witness while in the court.

The full story can be found here at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26357007

                                  May Lee Rigby R.I.P                                

Ben & Jerry's 4 New Core Flavours

That's My Jam, Hazed & Confused, Salted Caramel & Peanut Butter Fudge

So Ben & Jerry's are launching four new Core flavours. The new flavors are “That’s My Jam” (chocolate and raspberry ice cream with fudge chips and a raspberry core), “Peanut Butter Fudge” (chocolate and peanut butter ice cream with mini-peanut butter cups and peanut butter fudge core), “Salted Caramel” (sweet cream ice cream with blonde brownies and a salted caramel core), and “Hazed and Confused,” chocolate and hazelnut ice creams with fudge chips and a hazelnut fudge core).

“We are always looking to make something bigger and better for our fans,” said Eric Fredette, Ben & Jerry’s lead flavor developer. “We wanted to blow out the concept of fun flavors, chunks and swirls and take it over the top.” 

And even though just a half-cup of these creamy, dreamy tubs contains a whopping total of 260-300 calories, you don’t have to feel too guilty. These are the first Ben and Jerry’s flavors to be made completely 100 percent Fairtrade certified with no GMO-ingredients. Look out for the four new flavors in stores this February.