美国有线新闻 CNN 欧盟裁定苹果补缴爱尔兰146亿税款 芝加哥市沦为犯罪频发地(在线收听

 

First order of business, we're breaking down an economic story concerning the European Union and a well-known tech company.

Apple, like many global companies, has its European headquarters in Ireland. Most of Apple's profits from Europe and the region around it are funneled through Ireland. Why? Ireland has one of the lowest business tax rates in Europe. Its main business rate is 12.5 percent.

But officials says Apple has not been paying that, that it's been paying taxes at 1 percent or less in Ireland. International lawmakers say the country gave Apple an unfair tax advantage in exchange for creating jobs in Ireland. So, the European Union has ruled that Apple owes up to $14.6 billion in unpaid taxes.

But Ireland says Apple paid what it owed. So, the country is appealing the decision, along with Apple itself which says it follows the law and is being unfairly targeted.

The U.S. government says that forcing Apple to pay back taxes in Europe could discourage international businesses from investing in Europe. Apple isn't the only company to face this. Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler are also appealing orders to pay back tens of millions from tax deals with other European countries.

On U.S. soil, Chicago, Illinois, is a city struggling with incredible crime. According to "The Chicago Tribune", August has become the city's most violent month in almost 20 years and that report came out when there are still two days left in a month. This is based on a number of shootings and murders in the city.

Chicago sees an average of around 82 shootings every week. Its struggling economy and increasing gang violence are two of the reasons why.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More than 30 kids have been shot and killed in Chicago just this year, and when you look at the shooting numbers and we'll put this up on a full screen so you can see it.

When you look at this year alone, when you think about the violent crimes — 2,988 people shot in 2015, and 2016, already, 2,800 people have been shot. When you think about that crime that is soaring, 43 percent higher in murders, 48 percent higher in shootings, 27 percent up in robberies.

And look, this has been a conversation across this city, especially when it comes to as many young people that had been shot and killed. It's almost to a point where you can't even get through a day without someone being shot, you have a lot of community members who are asking, what can change?

And when you look at the crime rate compared to Los Angeles and New York, people want to know what the solution will be.

Of course, the crime rate is here. In fact, there have been more murders in this city than New York and L.A. combined. People pointing to gangs as part of the problem but there needs to be a larger outreach, and that's something that people haven't been seeing so far.

  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/cnn2016/9/392872.html