Number of items Amazon.com says are going to be available for 1 hour delivery in areas of New York City (and soon  other markets), under its Prime Now program. Amazon formally announced the program this week, after reports surfaced last week of tests for such an "instant delivery" service using bike couriers. One hour delivery costs $7.99, but if you are willing to wait for 2 hour service, the delivery is free. It appears the inventory will come from a building it controls at 7 West 34th St., across from the Empire State Building in Midtown. It will function as a mini-warehouse, with limited inventory for same-day delivery within New York, product returns and exchanges, and pickups of online orders.

That's how much the Russian ruble has fallen against the US dollar this year, as the Russian currency continued its collapse this week, with each ruble now worth about two cents in a stunning freefall. What’s happening? The ruble collapse has been caused by dramatically falling oil prices and Western sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, which are combining to tank its economy. Unfortunately, this could have negative ramification for others, as a cornered Russia could lash out at its neighbors or cut off natural gas supplies to Europe, while demand for Western goods in Russia from German cars to IKEA furniture is certain to slump badly.