Sunday, 1 February 2015

Croatia writes off debts of 60,000 poorest citizens

Croatia writes off debts of 60,000 poorest citizens


'Chance for a new start', the Croatian government have gotten creditors on board a plan to erase the debts of some 60,000 poorest citizens. The “fresh start” scheme targets less than 1 percent of the entire debt, but is hoped to boost the economy in the long-term.

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How Hair Braiding Explains What's Gone Wrong With America's Economy

How Hair Braiding Explains What's Gone Wrong With America's Economy


Isis Brantley has been arrested, jailed and a plaintiff in a federal civil rights case. But she’s not a whistleblower or a political dissident. She teaches how to braid hair. For almost 20 years, Isis has fought Texas over her right to braid hair and to pass on her knowledge to others. Her struggle recently culminated in a major federal court decision earlier this month, which shined a spotlight on occupational licensing. Today, millions of Americans, like Isis, have to seek permission from...

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Finnish start-ups rise from Nokia's ashes

Finnish start-ups rise from Nokia's ashes


For many, Finland and Nokia were synonymous. And when in 2012 and 2013, Nokia shed 24,500 employees and sold Nokia House (and its mobile phone division to Microsoft), they called it the "Elopcalypse" after then-chief executive Stephen Elop. But the sinking of Nokia has led to an explosion of start-ups, as a skilled workforce jumps ship and begin businesses.

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Creator or Buyer: Who Really Owns the Art?

Creator or Buyer: Who Really Owns the Art?


When you buy something, you generally have the right to do what you want with it. You own it. But when you buy buy visual art, such as an oil painting, you may be a joint owner along with its creator. So what did you really buy?

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The Math Behind Bitcoin Mining

The Math Behind Bitcoin Mining


If you've ever pondered the possibility of getting into bitcoin mining (or have taken the plunge), then you are probably at least a little bit familiar with bitcoin mining calculators. These calculators let you input your hash rate (hash rate is the speed at which your miner mines) and outputs the amount of bitcoin you could expect to earn in a given period of time. While those calculators are awesome and handy, understanding the math behind them is even more awesome!

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How pot startups are rewriting the playbook for Silicon Valley disruption

How pot startups are rewriting the playbook for Silicon Valley disruption


Software will eat everything, they say. But it has mostly abstained from the legal marijuana economy, stymied by the uncertainty of enhancing shareholder value in a line of business that was at best an extension of the health care industry and at worst a felonious traffic in dangerous drugs, depending on your jurisdiction.

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Louis CK’s New Straight-to-Fan Special Has No Buzz – and It’s Doing Better Than His First One

Louis CK’s New Straight-to-Fan Special Has No Buzz – and It’s Doing Better Than His First One


You didn't hear that Louis CK is selling a new special? Doesn't matter: His fans do.

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