U.S. Clamps Down on Corporate Tax Inversions

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/business/dealbook/pfizer-allergan-merger.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/05/business/dealbook/us-acts-to-end-use-of-foreign-acquisitions-to-dodge-taxes.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-touts-new-federal-rules-that-target-corporate-tax-inversions/

http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2016/04/05/treasurys-new-inversion-rules-at-a-glance/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnamathur/2016/04/06/note-to-treasury-the-problem-is-the-corporate-tax-rate-not-inversions/#300868415808

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/health-pharma/explained-the-upside-down-world-of-corporate-tax-inversions-1.2440947

Qs

1. What impact do you think the new rules will have on corporate tax inversions, such as Pfizer's proposed merger with Allergan?
2. Do you think increasing regulations is the best method to stop corporate tax inversions, or is decreasing the corporate tax rate itself a better solution?
3. How can corporate income taxes be reformed so companies can locate where they want and still pay their fair share of taxes?

FaceBook programs computers to Describe photos for the blind

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/business/2016-04-06/facebook-programs-computers-to-describe-photos-for-the-blind/1776425161264.html

1. Does being able to hear a description of a photo of one your friends post appeal to you?Why or why not?
2. Are there groups other than blind people who might use this service?
3. How could the automatic alternative text feature become more dynamic in the future?

Forget delivery drones, meet your new delivery robot

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/02/forget-delivery-drones-meet-your-new-delivery-robot.html

Discussion Qustions

1. What do you like about the idea of robot delivery of packages? What do you see as the potential concerns?
2. Are drones or robots the better solution for automated package delivery? Why?
3. Would robots increase profits for Fedex and UPS? Why or why not?

Russia claims its deadly T-14 Armata tank is in full production

http://www.businessinsider.com/russia-claims-t14-armata-tank-is-in-production-2016-3

• What concerns do you have about the current trends in the arms industry? Why?
• Why do you think modern armaments are so expensive?
• Should there be an internationally standardized method to accurately measure armaments data? Why? Is it feasible?
• How do you think military's can decrease armament spending? What are the costs and benefits? Are they worth it?