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The numbers for October 27, 2014

Big name retailers are holding off – and competing with – Apple Pay.

With the euro-zone teetering on the edge of another recession, all but 25 of the continent’s major banks passed stress tests conducted by the Central Bank. Thirteen of those must make up a 9.5 million euro shortfall.

Italy was the country that fared the worst, with nine of its banks failing the test. The Wall Street Journal picks up the country-by-country breakdown. Overall the report is meant to quell fears about the beleaguered European economy.

This week is heavy with tech earnings again. Twitter reports after the closing bell today and Facebook, tomorrow. In the mean time, here’s what we’re reading – and the numbers we’re watching – Monday.

34

That’s the number of retailers listed on Apple’s website as supporting the company’s mobile payment system, which launched a week ago. As the Verge points out, while main banks back the service, eight of the participating retailers are Foot Locker brands and one is Apple itself. Meanwhile, several big stores like CVS, Wal-Mart and Best Buy aren’t supporting Apple Pay because they are part of a competing mobile payment system set to launch next year.

68 percent

The GOP’s chances of taking over the senate in the upcoming midterm elections. The Washington Post reports that Democrats have scooped up quite a few newspaper endorsements, and while that might not be enough to hold the Senate, those nods can still have an impact on the results. 

$20/hour

That’s how much fast food employees make in Denmark, nearly two and a half times what they make in the U.S., the New York Times reported. Some have pointed to the unionized Danish fast food workforce as an example for how American workers should be treated, while others say it’s impossible to fairly compare the two countries. The Times cites one study that says half of all fast food workers are on some type of public assistance.

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