What We Read Today 08 October 2014

Econintersect: Every day our editors collect the most interesting things they find from around the internet and present a summary “reading list” which will include very brief summaries (and sometimes longer ones) of why each item has gotten our attention. Suggestions from readers for “reading list” items are gratefully reviewed, although sometimes space limits the number included.

• Wal-Mart to stop healthcare benefits for some part-time workers (Siddharth Cavale, Reuters) Wal-Mart will discontinue health care benefits for approximately 2% of its workers who work less than 30 hours a week, effective 01 January 2015. That date is when ACA (Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare) will require all companies with 50 or more employees to offer health insurance for all employees working 30 hours or more a week.

Under the law, employees working less than 30 hours a week and receiving insurance through an employer would not be eligible for government subsidies available (based on income) through the government exchanges. Other companies which have already made the move for part-timers include Target,Home Depot and United Parcel Service. They were formerly among the 24% of corporations that offered health insurance to part-time employees.

The change at Wal-Mart will impact about 30,000 employees who will now be able to get insurance through an ACA exchange. These employees are currently getting more than 75% of their health insurance premium paid by Wal-Mart. The extent of premium subsidies from the government will vary with income. Read also Wal-Mart to End Health Insurance for Some Part-Time Employees (Shelly Banjo and Stephanie Armour, The Wall Street Journal).

• Quantifying underestimates of long-term upper-ocean warming (Paul J. Durack, Peter J. Gleckler, Felix W. Landerer and Karl E. Taylor, Nature) Southern Oceans have been heating up faster than previously thought. Follow global weather and climate developments at GEI News with weekly articles by climate economist Sig Silber.

• MAP: Where is the Islamic State operating? (Michael Keller, Al Jazeera) There is more on Syria, Iraq and ISIS in the second section below. See also Syria Update: September 24-October 2, 2014 (Jennifer Cafarella, Institute for the Study of War) and Iraqi and Syrian Towns and Cities seized by the Islamic State and its allies (The Long War Journal, Google).

Click for different map size options at Al Jazeera.

• First Look: Windows 10 Technical Preview (Brien Posey, Redmond Magazine) Short general overview. See also (even shorter) Windows 10 Preview: Start Button Is Back, Charms In Limbo (Jeffrey Schwartz, Redmond Magazine)

• Recent articles about Scotland Independence and Similar Movements
  

Could the Scottish National Party join the next UK government? (The Conversation)

• Articles about conflicts and disease around the world

Hong Kong protests: Talks scheduled as crowds shrink and frustration rises (CNN World)

Turkey treads the tightrope on ISIL, egged on by Washington (Al Jazeera)

Turkey stuck at a crossroads as Islamic State terrorises Kobane (The Conversation)

Turkey asks a steep price to back Syrian Kurds in fight against ISIL (Al Jazeera)

ISIL pushes into Kobane, sending Syrian Kurds fleeing for safety (Al Jazeera)

ISIS mission: Divided, uncertain Canada edges gingerly into Iraq (CBC News)

Pro-Russia separatists target key assets in eastern Ukraine (Los Angeles Times)

Poland warns Russia it could face tougher EU sanctions over Ukraine (Reuters)

Russian companies face credit crunch danger (Financial Times)

India and Pakistan Trade Blame in Kashmir Deaths (The New York Times)

If India and Pakistan Went to War: 5 Weapons Pakistan Should Fear (The National Interest)

Pakistan’s suicidal desperation: Modi-led India rising evoke LoC attacks (FirstPost.India)

There are 11 articles discussed today ‘behind the wall’.

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