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The Expendables: The Temps Who Power Corporate Giants

"Across America, temporary work has become a mainstay of the economy, leading to the proliferation of what researchers have begun to call 'temp towns.' In June, the Labor Department reported that the nation had more temp workers than ever before: 2.7 million. Overall, almost one-fifth of the total job growth since the recession ended in mid-2009 has been in the temp sector, federal data shows. But according to the American Staffing Association, the temp industry’s trade group, the pool is even larger: Every year, a tenth of all U.S. workers finds a job at a staffing agency. Temp work is roaring back 10 times faster than private-sector employment as a whole." Continue reading →

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Paid via Payroll Cards, Workers Feel Sting of Fees

"For these largely hourly workers, paper paychecks and even direct deposit have been replaced by prepaid cards issued by their employers. Employees can use these cards, which work like debit cards, at an A.T.M. to withdraw their pay. But in the overwhelming majority of cases, using the card involves a fee. And those fees can quickly add up: one provider, for example, charges $1.75 to make a withdrawal from most A.T.M.’s, $2.95 for a paper statement and $6 to replace a card. In 2012, $34 billion was loaded onto 4.6 million active payroll cards, according to the research firm Aite Group; it expected that to reach $68.9 billion and 10.8 million cards by 2017." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPaid via Payroll Cards, Workers Feel Sting of Fees

A Rare Anomaly in the Gold Market

"So does this mean we should buy now? To be sure, book values fall when precious metals prices decline, and costs have risen substantially since 2001 as well. So it's possible values could fall further. But in that scenario the relationship between stock prices and book value would remain in rarified territory, making the anomaly even more appealing to a contrarian investor." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Rare Anomaly in the Gold Market

Gun-maker airlifts 20,000 extended magazines into Colorado ahead of ban

"Gun-maker Magpul airlifted thousands of extended assault rifle magazines into a Colorado gun show on Saturday, giving away 1,500 and putting the rest up for sale just 24 hours before a new law takes effect that makes the magazines illegal across the state. The event, 'A Farewell to Arms,' attracted over 3,000 gun enthusiasts who received free extended magazines with their purchases, according to CBS Denver. An additional 18,500 magazines were designated to be sold at discount, with the proceeds going to benefit a pro-gun group calling itself 'Free Colorado.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGun-maker airlifts 20,000 extended magazines into Colorado ahead of ban

Why Did Chinese ATMs Stop Working Last Week?

"On Sunday morning, while China was taking a weekend breather from the financial fireworks caused by the government’s weeklong self-inflicted cash and credit crunch, customers of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world’s largest bank, woke to an unpleasant surprise: Their deposits were not available for withdrawal by ATM or teller (online or in-person). Sunday’s outage appears to have started at about 10:30 a.m., and by 11 a.m. there were photos on Sina Weibo of stymied bank customers left mulling in shut-down bank lobbies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy Did Chinese ATMs Stop Working Last Week?

Pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong draws tens of thousands

"Younger activists have become increasingly politicized. Surveys show they identify themselves more as Hong Kong citizens than Chinese nationals – a trend that alarms Beijing, which is eager for the city to show more 'patriotism' to the motherland. Despite China’s pledge to allow a direct poll for the city’s leader in 2017, recent signs from senior Chinese officials have raised concern Beijing may somehow try to rig the rules to screen out opposition candidates from taking part. The former British colony returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, with the promise of universal suffrage as an 'ultimate aim' in its mini-constitution." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPro-democracy protest in Hong Kong draws tens of thousands

Protesters rally in support of anti-bank chalk activist facing 13 years

"Demonstrators gathered outside the Hall of Justice in San Diego, California on Sunday to chalk their support for a local man facing up to 13 years in jail for using washable chalk to voice his protests against Bank of America. 'All I am permitted to say is, I disagree,' the defendant, Jeff Olson, told KGTV-TV as he joined the rally on his behalf before slapping a piece of tape across his mouth with the words 'Gag order' written on it to comply with Judge Howard Shore’s order for him not to comment on the case. Olson attracted the attention of the office of City Attorney Jan Goldsmith at the behest of bank officials, who asked for him to be prosecuted." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingProtesters rally in support of anti-bank chalk activist facing 13 years

Jobless Greek youth find innovative ways to make a living

"For many, mass migration or further education have been the answer. Rapti is among those who do not want to join the exodus that has already seen about 120,000 young professionals emigrate – mostly to Germany and other countries in the eurozone’s wealthier north but also as far as away as Australia, Canada and the US. But force of circumstance has pushed growing numbers to think outside the box. Exploiting their flair for enterprise and entrepreneurship – a spirit doused by decades of dependence on state largesse – young Greeks are also behind an explosion of bars and restaurants nationwide, but especially in Athens." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJobless Greek youth find innovative ways to make a living

Jobless Greek youth find innovative ways to make a living

"For many, mass migration or further education have been the answer. Rapti is among those who do not want to join the exodus that has already seen about 120,000 young professionals emigrate – mostly to Germany and other countries in the eurozone’s wealthier north but also as far as away as Australia, Canada and the US. But force of circumstance has pushed growing numbers to think outside the box. Exploiting their flair for enterprise and entrepreneurship – a spirit doused by decades of dependence on state largesse – young Greeks are also behind an explosion of bars and restaurants nationwide, but especially in Athens." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJobless Greek youth find innovative ways to make a living

Unique institute unites capitalists who want to save the world

"The Unreasonable Institute, founded by University of Colorado graduates Teju Ravilochan and Daniel Epstein in this college town at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is an attempt to solve real-world problems by linking innovative thinkers from around the world. Entrepreneurs wanting to join the camp submit written applications and go through a series of interviews. Successful applicants pay $10,000 for a single and $12,000 for a pair to take part. The institute helps participants raise the fee through crowd-sourcing and the support of donors like Hewlett-Packard and Vodafone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUnique institute unites capitalists who want to save the world