Amazon paid no federal tax for 2018 – but how much profit did it earn?
Note EU-Digest: "Amazon made $ 11.2 billion in 2018 "
Note EU-Digest: "Amazon made $ 11.2 billion in 2018 "
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Showing posts with label 2018. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2018. Show all posts
2/22/19
2/7/19
EU Alternative Clean Energy - Windpower: Europe adds 2.6 GW of offshore wind in 2018
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| Irish Windpark |
The capacity additions bring Europe’s total offshore wind capacity to 18,499 MW, coming from 105 plants in 11 countries. A total of 409 wind turbines across 18 wind farms started generating power in 2018. Most of the machines were installed in the UK and Germany -- 1,312 MW and 969 MW, respectively. The two countries accounted for 85% of Europe’s fresh offshore wind capacity and were followed by Belgium with 309 MW and Denmark with 61 MW.
“The technology keeps developing. The turbines keep getting bigger. And the costs keep falling. It’s now no more expensive to build offshore wind than it is to build coal or gas plants,” WindEurope’s CEO Giles Dickson said.
In the past year, EUR 10.3 billion (USD 11.7bn) of projects, representing 4.2 GW of capacity, reached final investment decisions (FIDs). The investment amount is 37% higher in annual terms compared to 2017, while the capacity covered rose by 91% due to the quickly falling costs. This amount has supported the 4.2 GW of projects, that are expected to come online in the next couple of years.
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| A Danish offshore Windpark |
According to WindEurope’s data, six offshore wind parks are currently being built in Europe, among which is the 1,218-MW Hornsea 1 in the North Sea, the first offshore complex globally with a capacity exceeding 1 GW.
WindEurope’s CEO pointed out that more governments are “recognising the merits of offshore wind,” giving Poland as an example and its plans to add 10 GW by 2040, while there are still some that are not taking advantage of offshore wind’s potential, including Sweden and France.
Read more: Europe adds 2.6 GW of offshore wind in 2018
1/1/18
USA: President Trump's ambitious agenda: 7 things to watch in 2018= by David Jackson and Deirdre Shesgreen
President Trump may have big policy plans for 2018, but political
distractions are likely to shadow prospects of big legislative
achievements.
White House officials said Trump wants to rein in the threat from North Korea and list four top domestic priorities on his 2018 agenda: Repealing and replacing President Obama's 2010 health care law, welfare reform, immigration, and a new infrastructure plan.
"I would expect to see those four areas, as well as national security, which never goes away," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
Yet the Republican-controlled Congress has been struggling to pass some of Trump's major priorities since his election – and their challenges will only increase in 2018. The GOP’s Senate bare majority will shrink when Alabama’s newly elected senator, Democrat Doug Jones, is sworn in.
Read more: President Trump's ambitious agenda: 7 things to watch in 2018
White House officials said Trump wants to rein in the threat from North Korea and list four top domestic priorities on his 2018 agenda: Repealing and replacing President Obama's 2010 health care law, welfare reform, immigration, and a new infrastructure plan.
"I would expect to see those four areas, as well as national security, which never goes away," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
Yet the Republican-controlled Congress has been struggling to pass some of Trump's major priorities since his election – and their challenges will only increase in 2018. The GOP’s Senate bare majority will shrink when Alabama’s newly elected senator, Democrat Doug Jones, is sworn in.
Read more: President Trump's ambitious agenda: 7 things to watch in 2018
12/30/17
Germany: Here is what 2018 has in store for Germany - by Rose-Anne Clermont
Next year, Germany will still be waiting on a government. But with
everything from an upcoming World Cup to more benefits for parents,
there is a lot to look forward to.
1. Time's up: Merkel has to pick coalition partners
Chancellor Angela Merkel has still yet to successfully form a coalition government, even though federal elections took place three months ago.
With pressure mounting and her popularity waning, Merkel will have to go back to the political negotiating table with her opponents and form a government in 2018.
2. More economic growth, and in some cases, more jobs
Germany's economic upswing is expected to continue, according to a survey by the Institute of German Industry. Of 48 industry associations, two-thirds will continue to see production expansion in 2018.
3. Housing will get more expensive (but not exorbitantly so)
Real estate prices in major German cities will increase but not at the rate we have seen in recent years, Analyse Emperica told German public broadcasting channel ZDF.
4. More benefits for parents
For parents and soon-to-be parents there will also be a few silver linings in 2018, despite January's cloudy weather.
5. Another day off (for one state)
Lower Saxony is set to get an additional national holiday, most likely on Reformation Day, which was a nationwide public holiday in commemoration of Martin Luther's 500th birthday in 2017.
6. Free streaming for online subscription services across the EU
Starting on March 20th, there will be free streaming for users of Netflix, Sky Go or Maxdome - thanks to a change in the European Parliament's rules that previously barred free streaming.
7. More protection when you book holidays online
If you plan on booking your next vacation online, especially if booking multiple services (flights, rental cars, hotels, etc.), there will be more protection to online consumers beginning July 1st 2018.
8. Time for the World Cup
And after what feels like a long wait for many, the World Cup will take place again in June 2018 in Russia, with Germany playing its first match on June 17th against Mexico.
Read more: Here is what 2018 has in store for Germany - The Local
1. Time's up: Merkel has to pick coalition partners
Chancellor Angela Merkel has still yet to successfully form a coalition government, even though federal elections took place three months ago.
With pressure mounting and her popularity waning, Merkel will have to go back to the political negotiating table with her opponents and form a government in 2018.
2. More economic growth, and in some cases, more jobs
Germany's economic upswing is expected to continue, according to a survey by the Institute of German Industry. Of 48 industry associations, two-thirds will continue to see production expansion in 2018.
3. Housing will get more expensive (but not exorbitantly so)
Real estate prices in major German cities will increase but not at the rate we have seen in recent years, Analyse Emperica told German public broadcasting channel ZDF.
4. More benefits for parents
For parents and soon-to-be parents there will also be a few silver linings in 2018, despite January's cloudy weather.
5. Another day off (for one state)
Lower Saxony is set to get an additional national holiday, most likely on Reformation Day, which was a nationwide public holiday in commemoration of Martin Luther's 500th birthday in 2017.
6. Free streaming for online subscription services across the EU
Starting on March 20th, there will be free streaming for users of Netflix, Sky Go or Maxdome - thanks to a change in the European Parliament's rules that previously barred free streaming.
7. More protection when you book holidays online
If you plan on booking your next vacation online, especially if booking multiple services (flights, rental cars, hotels, etc.), there will be more protection to online consumers beginning July 1st 2018.
8. Time for the World Cup
And after what feels like a long wait for many, the World Cup will take place again in June 2018 in Russia, with Germany playing its first match on June 17th against Mexico.
Read more: Here is what 2018 has in store for Germany - The Local
12/26/17
EU Security Services: Border Security 2018
Following the success of the previous sell-out events, SMi
Group’s Border Security Conference returns in 2018 with its biggest and
best agenda to date.
In addition, with free-movement a critical and divisive focus of Brexit negotiations, as well as a new administration in the White House, this year's event is more topical and relevant than ever.
With rapid globalisation impacting every continent, added pressures to borders around the world need addressing. Border Security 2018 will provide amplatform for leading representatives of industry and government to discuss the political and technological solutions being utilised to secure national borders.
Read more: Border Security 2018 — EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics
In addition, with free-movement a critical and divisive focus of Brexit negotiations, as well as a new administration in the White House, this year's event is more topical and relevant than ever.
With rapid globalisation impacting every continent, added pressures to borders around the world need addressing. Border Security 2018 will provide amplatform for leading representatives of industry and government to discuss the political and technological solutions being utilised to secure national borders.
Read more: Border Security 2018 — EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics
11/29/17
U.S. Economic Forecast: Growth of the economy to continue through 2018
For the first time since the middle of 2014, the US economy has
sustained 3 percent growth for two consecutive quarters, providing
strong momentum into next year. The current Conference Board forecast
calls for 2.8 percent growth during the final quarter of 2017 and 2.5
percent growth in 2018.
This would represent the economy’s best 2-year run since 2005.
Business investment has awakened from the doldrums this year, rising by more than 4 percent after falling into negative territory in 2016. Confidence in the manufacturing sector has been especially strong.
The composition of growth supports a long-term improvement in productivity. Capital equipment has risen at an 8.7 percent annual rate during the past two quarters, while investment in warehouse structures is up more than 20 percent since the end of last year. These investments demonstrate a renewed firm commitment to increased efficiency.
Consumer spending eased a bit in the third quarter, but with The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index still strong and housing prices rising, expect a robust holiday season.
One encouraging sign was the pickup in motor vehicle spending thanks to renewed demand following the two hurricanes. Should employment growth rebound quickly from last month’s storm related decline, tighter labor markets should translate into a renewed wage acceleration which could boost spending late this year or into 2018. The possibility of federal income tax cuts could do the same.
The economy enters 2018 in good position to maintain strong growth from 2017.
Current Fed chair Janet Yellen and new Fed chair nominee Jerome Powell may raise rates slightly faster as a result. These expectations have led long-term rates to rise modestly.
The dollar has also started strengthening since early September after weakening through much of 2017, creating less favorable terms of trade. Higher capital costs and the possibility of a less supportive external environment for growth have not rattled the market yet.
With growth prospects strong for 2018, profits should grow robustly as well, rewarding those businesses that increase investment levels.
Read more: U.S. Forecast | The Conference Board
This would represent the economy’s best 2-year run since 2005.
Business investment has awakened from the doldrums this year, rising by more than 4 percent after falling into negative territory in 2016. Confidence in the manufacturing sector has been especially strong.
The composition of growth supports a long-term improvement in productivity. Capital equipment has risen at an 8.7 percent annual rate during the past two quarters, while investment in warehouse structures is up more than 20 percent since the end of last year. These investments demonstrate a renewed firm commitment to increased efficiency.
Consumer spending eased a bit in the third quarter, but with The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index still strong and housing prices rising, expect a robust holiday season.
One encouraging sign was the pickup in motor vehicle spending thanks to renewed demand following the two hurricanes. Should employment growth rebound quickly from last month’s storm related decline, tighter labor markets should translate into a renewed wage acceleration which could boost spending late this year or into 2018. The possibility of federal income tax cuts could do the same.
The economy enters 2018 in good position to maintain strong growth from 2017.
Current Fed chair Janet Yellen and new Fed chair nominee Jerome Powell may raise rates slightly faster as a result. These expectations have led long-term rates to rise modestly.
The dollar has also started strengthening since early September after weakening through much of 2017, creating less favorable terms of trade. Higher capital costs and the possibility of a less supportive external environment for growth have not rattled the market yet.
With growth prospects strong for 2018, profits should grow robustly as well, rewarding those businesses that increase investment levels.
Read more: U.S. Forecast | The Conference Board
7/26/15
EU: On the Road to a Tallinn Treaty? - by Stuart Parkinson
ou’ve probably never heard of the “Tallinn Treaty,” have you? There’s a
good reason for it, though, which is that it doesn’t actually exist yet.
But if I’m right, the Tallinn Treaty of 2018 will be the successor to the Lisbon Treaty, and it will solve just about all of the European Union’s current panoply of problems, including Greece.
Ten years ago, in 2005, the European Union was in disarray, coming to terms as it was by the recent referendum defeats in both France and the Netherlands on the question of the ratification of the draft EU Constitution.
Back in those days, (i.e. in contrast to the recent Greek referendum), it took relatively more time for policy-makers to ignore the will of their people.
Indeed it wasn’t until two years later, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the original Treaty of Rome, that the so-called Berlin Declaration resolved to seek a “renewed common basis” for the European Union in time for the European Parliamentary elections that were scheduled for 2009.
It was called the Berlin Declaration because, as fate would have it, it was issued during Germany’s turn in the rotating EU Presidency. By the time its Presidency was wrapping up in June 2007, the main parameters of the next Treaty change were all but agreed, and an Intergovernmental Conference was launched.
By December, the work of the Conference was done.
Germany may have done the heavy lifting, but it was Portugal’s turn as President by then, and so the final treaty would be known as the Lisbon Treaty.
Wrapping things up in March 2018, EU leaders will gather in Estonia to sign the Tallinn Treaty, the Lisbon’s Treaty successor.
There will be something in it for everyone. It’s actually more or less the only positive way forward for Europe, if you think about it.
Read more: EU: On the Road to a Tallin Treaty? - The Globalist
But if I’m right, the Tallinn Treaty of 2018 will be the successor to the Lisbon Treaty, and it will solve just about all of the European Union’s current panoply of problems, including Greece.
Ten years ago, in 2005, the European Union was in disarray, coming to terms as it was by the recent referendum defeats in both France and the Netherlands on the question of the ratification of the draft EU Constitution.
Back in those days, (i.e. in contrast to the recent Greek referendum), it took relatively more time for policy-makers to ignore the will of their people.
Indeed it wasn’t until two years later, on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the original Treaty of Rome, that the so-called Berlin Declaration resolved to seek a “renewed common basis” for the European Union in time for the European Parliamentary elections that were scheduled for 2009.
It was called the Berlin Declaration because, as fate would have it, it was issued during Germany’s turn in the rotating EU Presidency. By the time its Presidency was wrapping up in June 2007, the main parameters of the next Treaty change were all but agreed, and an Intergovernmental Conference was launched.
By December, the work of the Conference was done.
Germany may have done the heavy lifting, but it was Portugal’s turn as President by then, and so the final treaty would be known as the Lisbon Treaty.
Wrapping things up in March 2018, EU leaders will gather in Estonia to sign the Tallinn Treaty, the Lisbon’s Treaty successor.
There will be something in it for everyone. It’s actually more or less the only positive way forward for Europe, if you think about it.
Read more: EU: On the Road to a Tallin Treaty? - The Globalist
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