News Politics

Donald Tump has raised an order for investigation on the planned taxation of tech giants, which would seriously affect the American tech companies. This could be a move that results in retaliatory tariffs.

Robert Lighthizer, the US representative said, “The United States is very concerned that the digital services tax… unfairly targets American companies”.

The unfair trade practices could pave the way for Washington to impose punitive tariffs. Trump had repeatedly done this since taking office.

The parliament of France would be approving the tax implementations on Thursday.

Reports said that the tech giants like Google and Facebook will be charged with a 3% levy on revenue made inside France.

An estimated amount of around half-a-billion euro a year would be brought in with the new tax rule.

The new tax rule insists that any digital company with a revenue of more than €750m – of which at least €25m is generated in France – would be subject to the tax.

Republican Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and Senator Ron Wyden, the senior Democrat on the panel have welcomed the latest inquiry.

In a joined statement, they said, “The digital services tax that France and other European countries are pursuing is clearly protectionist and unfairly targets American companies in a way that will cost US jobs and harm American workers”.

Image courtesy: The Straits Times / images are subject to copyright

Natural Disaster News

US President Donald Trump visits communities in Eastern Alabama after deadly tornadoes that killed at least 23 people. Trump and his wife Melania Trump took a helicopter troll of the area before visiting the homes of some victims.

The Sunday’s tornadoes were the heaviest that hits the state since 2013. The President and his wife also visited a disaster relief center at the Providence Baptist Church in Opelika. They stopped at a memorial to honor the 23 people who were killed by the tornadoes.

Trump and Melania stood in front of 23 white crosses, decorated with flowers. The victims includes children also. Many people got injured by the tornadoes.

Image courtesy : time.com / images are subject to copyright

News Politics

US President Donald Trump has nominated US Treasury’s David Malpass as his pick for the next world bank president on Wednesday (local time). Maplass is known to a Trump legalistic and senior economic adviser to the US President, during his 2016 election campaign.

The 62 year old has criticized the world bank and other institutions such as the IMF in the past. Malpass would be a “strong advocate for accountability” at the World Bank, said Donald Trump.

“The Wall Street Journal just said today in an editorial that David Malpass is an excellent choice, which is America is the largest contributor to the World Bank, giving it over USD 1 billion every year,” ,Trump said.

If elected as the President of the World Bank, Malpass would replace South Korea’s Jim Yong Kim in April this year. Jim Yong Kim resigned unexpectedly last month from his post.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

News Politics

The longest shutdown in the US history comes to an end. U.S. President Donald Trump announces a deal with congressional leaders to temporarily reopen the government for three weeks, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown over the president’s demand for the the border wall finding is now into its 35th day. Trump spoke regarding the deal from White house.

“We have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government” – Donald Trump

Trump warns of emergency if no border deal with democrats. Donald Trump on Friday signed bill to reopen the government. The government is opened by Trump for 3 weeks. An estimate of 800,000 federal employees will return to work now. Trump had demanded congress to give him money for building border wall. Trump says that he will resume discussion after February 15th.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

News Politics

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that Venezuela will close its embassy and all consulates in the United States. On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido had proclaimed himself acting president. Soon after this, U.S. did the recognition of Guaido as interim president.

Venezuela decided to shut all diplomatic missions in US. Maduro avenge back the US as they supports the opposition against him. Mike Pompeo urged the Venezuelan army to protect Guaido. Maduro added that he agreed with a call by Mexico and Uruguay for dialogue between Venezuela’s government and the opposition for a resolution to the country’s political crisis.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

News Politics

In a blow to US president Donald Trump, the Senate has rejected two bills to end the US shutdown. Trump demands down payment for wall to end shutdown. The US shutdown enters almost 34 days with no end in sight. This is the longest partial government shutdown in the US history.

About 800,000 of federal workers struggle to cover their bills. The senate rejects the bills to open Government. On Monday, the Senate has released a bill flashing an offer that Trump had made to reopen the unfunded quarter of the government. As the chamber plans to take up the measure later this week, it will definitely fail to meet the 60-vote threshold.

The chamber desides to take up that proposal on Thursday afternoon. If this fails, Senate will take up a Democratic-backed bill to fund the government through February.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright