The European Union's imposition of a 13 billion euro ($14.5 billion) back tax bill on Apple (AAPL.O) is "total political crap", Chief Executive Tim Cook said in a newspaper interview on Thursday, and anti-U.S. bias may have played a role. Cook said he would fight closely with Ireland to overturn the ruling, which he said had "no basis in law or in fact". "No one did anything wrong here and we need to stand together. Ireland is being picked on and this is unacceptable," Cook was quoted as saying by the Irish Independent. Cook told the newspaper that bias against multinationals from the United States may have been a factor in the decision to impose the bill. "I think that Apple was targeted here," he said. "And I think that (anti-U.S. sentiment) is one reason why we could have been targeted." "I think it's a desire to reallocate taxes that should be paid in the US to the EU," he added. Cook rejected accusation by EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager that Apple paid just 0.005 … [Read more...] about Apple CEO says EU tax ruling ‘total political crap’: Irish Independent
Politics
After initial Trump trade, politics keep stocks on edge
Arguing over politics is a Thanksgiving Day tradition, but Donald Trump's presidential election adds a new twist to any bickering at next week's holiday dinner table: What the new U.S. government could mean for your stock portfolio. Trump's shock victory last Tuesday sent investors scrambling to change bets predicated on a win by Hillary Clinton, leading to huge stock increases in industries including banks, biotech and construction. The Dow Jones industrials rallied for seven days and set new record highs, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also were near all-time peaks. After the initial repositioning from the Trump trade, however, investors may require details or clarity about tax-cutting or spending plans from the new administration to keep momentum going in those stocks. "As news comes out in terms of who fills what positions and the likelihood of different legislative and executive initiatives ... that has the potential to have an impact on the market," said Bucky … [Read more...] about After initial Trump trade, politics keep stocks on edge
Clash of science and politics “dangerous”-EU food safety chief
Politicians who attack the EU agency that ruled the weedkiller glyphosate probably does not cause cancer are in danger of undermining the effectiveness of a body that is key to keeping Europeans safe, its chief warned. Bernhard Url, executive director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), said his agency is facing unprecedented criticism after concluding in November 2015 that glyphosate - one of the world's most widely used pesticides and an ingredient in Monsanto's big seller Roundup – was "unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans". Attempts to discredit his agency over its assessment were "unacceptable and short-sighted", he told Reuters in a rare interview, accusing his critics of undermining science to pursue a "political agenda". "If political actors discredit scientific organisations because they don't like the outcome in one out of 100 cases, they diminish the reputation of an organisation that they as policymakers will need to rely on in future," he said. … [Read more...] about Clash of science and politics “dangerous”-EU food safety chief
Internal political factors and escalation in the East Sea
VietNamNet Bridge – Tension has been rising in the East Sea, with China’s escalating acts: establishing the so-called Shansha city, organizing a government election there, building military station, sending more than 20,000 fishing boats to the sea, etc. To provide more information for the readers, VietNamNet held online talks with Prof. Carl Thayer, from the Center for Defense and Strategic Studies (CDSS), Australian, a well-known expert on security in Southeast Asia, the East Sea and China. Prof. Carl Thayer. In this part, Prof. Carl Thayer explained the impacts of internal political factors of the countries that claim sovereignty on the tension in the East Sea. In the latest developments, China announced to build a garrison in the so-called Sansha city. China also announced that it has another garrison under the navy which is responsible for combating in the East Sea. What are the implications of the moves? Is there any difference in China’s action in the East … [Read more...] about Internal political factors and escalation in the East Sea
Vietnam, India hold 9th political consultation, 6th strategic dialogue
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung and his Indian counterpart Preeti Saran co-chaired the ninth political consultation and sixth strategic dialogue at the deputy foreign ministerial level between Vietnam and India in Hanoi on October 24. Overview of the ninth political consultation and sixth strategic dialogue The two sides shared delight at the growing traditional friendship between the two countries over the past years, especially since the two sides set up their comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016 and through many high-level visits. They lauded efforts of agencies and localities of both countries in organising diverse activities to mark the Vietnam-India Friendship Year 2017, the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 10-year bilateral strategic partnership. Both sides agreed to foster collaboration to prepare for upcoming visits of senior leaders, and promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Committee and Joint Sub-Committee on … [Read more...] about Vietnam, India hold 9th political consultation, 6th strategic dialogue