Tax
Apple’s Move Keeps Profit Out of Reach of Taxes. Apple’s move to sell bonds while holding huge amounts of cash is one example of how corporations — legally — avoid paying taxes. (NYT)
The Corporate Tax Game. What appears to be widespread support for an overhaul of the corporate tax system may be a veneer covering deep splits between businesses that get the breaks and those that don’t. (NYT)
Online sales tax supporters push back on eBay. A coalition supporting an online sales tax measure is pushing back against a key opponent just days before the Senate is expected to give final approval to the bill. (The Hill)
Cybersecurity & Privacy
Samsung, BlackBerry devices cleared for use on U.S. defense networks. The Pentagon on Thursday cleared BlackBerry and Samsung mobile devices for use on Defense Department networks, a step toward opening up the military to a wide variety of technology equipment makers while still ensuring communications security. (Reuters)
Global Trade
Obama Asks Trade Nominees to Tackle Slumping U.S. Exports. President Barack Obama asked his nominees for Commerce secretary and trade ambassador to revive U.S. export growth as the administration’s goal of doubling overseas sales by the end of next year slips out of reach. (Bloomberg)
Workforce
Tech’s quiet quest for immigration bill changes. Silicon Valley is seeking revisions to the Gang of Eight proposal because of concerns over visa restrictions. (Politico Pro)
Bill to tighten H-1B US work visas could backfire. Amid proposals to tighten requirements, the National Foundation for American Policy argues doing so could be a "serious mistake" since the H-1B temporary visas allow high-skilled foreign nationals to work in the U.S. and benefit the overall economy. (ZDNet)
Indian techies create jobs in US & don't use most of the H-1B visa: Study. Between fiscal 2006 and 2011, the top 25 India-based cos utilised between 6 & 15% of the new H-1B visa approved for initial employment. (Economic Times)
W.H. touts Gang-of-Eight bill, as-is. Obama has been urging Congress to not weight it with amendments that might cause its demise. (Politico)
Marco Rubio: The Immigration Reform Opportunity. The immigration-reform bill in the Senate is a solid starting point for solving this problem, and I believe it can be made even better as Congress begins to actively work on it in committee next week. But defeating it without offering an alternative cannot be the conservative position on immigration reform. That would leave the issue entirely in the hands of President Obama and leave in place the disastrous status quo. (WSJ op-ed)
China's Factories Turn on the Charm. Factory owners in China are resorting to sponsoring dating events, opening karaoke rooms and holding sewing competitions to keep employees amid a tight labor market. (WSJ)
China IT outsourcing to be 'next India'. Sheer scale of China's resources of IT talent and strong market growth make it the logical successor to India's current IT outsourcing crown, while other regional players will remain niche in appeal. (ZDNet)
Regulation
No progress on Obama's big Commerce plans. Obama’s far from delivering on those big promises of rethinking and revamping an agency that’s key to the still-struggling economy. (Politico)
Sen. Bernie Sanders 'troubled' by FCC pick's lobbying past. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is expressing concern about President Obama's nominee to head the Federal Communications Commission due to his ties to the industries he would be in charge of regulating. (The Hill)
Environment & Sustainability
EU to propose duties on Chinese solar panels. The EU's trade chief will recommend placing punitive import duties on billions of euros of solar panels from China, people close to the matter say, putting up a barrier to protect European producers but risking upsetting Beijing. (Reuters)
Mobility
Chinese mobile phone firms to enter India with startup's help. A consortium of Chinese phone brands are planning a quiet entry into India with the help of a startup, which will set up over 200 sales and service centers for nearly 50 different manufacturers. (ZDNet)
Tech Business
Corporate Jet Center Exposes Silicon Valley’s Class Divide. A technology boom that once created middle-class jobs and lifted the overall economy now fuels a growing gap between the very rich and everyone else. (NYT)
Nook Tablet to Support Google Apps. Book retailer Barnes & Noble is adding Google's apps and online services including gmail to its Nook HD tablets in an effort to boost sales and match rivals such as Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet. (WSJ)
HTC Plays Catch Up. HTC's second quarter results look better than first, but plenty of make-up work lies ahead. Promos for the new HTC One smartphone might help. (Information Week)