LE MONDE: Alors que les pays du G7 se sont accordés sur la mise en place d’un impôt minimal mondial sur les multinationales, les révélations du site d’investigation « ProPublica », selon lesquelles les milliardaires américains payeraient moins d’impôts que le reste de la population, relancent le débat sur la taxation des plus riches dans le pays.
Editorial du « Monde ». Sale temps pour l’optimisation fiscale. Quelques jours après l’initiative tardive mais salutaire des pays du G7 pour tenter d’nstaurer au niveau mondial un impôt plus juste sur les bénéfices des multinationales, la divulgation des déclarations fiscales des vingt-cinq premiers milliardaires américains relance le débat sur la taxation des plus riches aux Etats-Unis.
ProPublica, une association spécialisée dans le journalisme d’investigation d’intérêt public a eu accès à ces documents officiels, qui montrent que ces ultrariches, dont Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg) et Elon Musk (Tesla), ont payé proportionnellement peu, voire pas du tout d’impôt sur le revenu entre 2014 et 2018. Le taux moyen qui leur a été appliqué s’élève à 15,8 %, alors que le taux marginal aux Etats-Unis est de 37 %. Les documents, théoriquement inaccessibles au public, leur divulgation pouvant constituer une infraction pénale, révèlent l’iniquité du système fiscal américain. » | Éditorial | vendredi 10 juin 2021
Thursday, June 10, 2021
The Guardian View on Hosting the G7: To Biden, Britain Is Still Europe
It is a stroke of good luck for Boris Johnson that Britain is hosting this year’s G7 summit. As chair of the club for rich democracies, the prime minister’s centrality to the proceedings is guaranteed. He is first in line to meet Joe Biden, who flies in to Cornwall on Wednesday for his first official foreign trip as US president.
The choreography flatters Mr Johnson, casting him as America’s point man in Europe. That is the role that the UK traditionally sees for itself in transatlantic relations. The truth is more complicated. Leaving the EU removes Britain’s influence in Brussels, which diminishes its utility to Washington as a bridge to the rest of the continent. President Biden sees Brexit as strategic ineptitude, sowing gratuitous division among countries that the US would rather see united.
It does not help that Mr Johnson also exudes contempt for Britain’s nearest neighbours. He has prioritised nationalistic bravado over compromise. That has been noticed in Washington, especially as regards Ireland – the country from which the current US president’s ancestors originated and to which he has a strong cultural attachment. » | Editorial | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The Guardian View on the Super-rich: A Billion Reasons for a Wealth Tax
This week, Jeff Bezos announced his plan to become the first billionaire in space. Next month, on the 52nd anniversary of the launch of Apollo 11, he will fly about 100 km above the rest of us, see the curve of the Earth and experience a few minutes of weightlessness, before a final descent. As a metaphor for the relationship between the super-rich and everyone else, it does not come much better. What also takes some beating is the justification from the world’s richest person for living out the sci-fi dreams he had as a boy: he has so much money he doesn’t know how to spend it.
“The only way that I can see to deploy this much financial resource is by converting my Amazon winnings into space travel,” he said in 2018. “That is basically it.” To which the possible counter-suggestions might include: pay your workers more. Or perhaps: pay higher taxes. Because the other big bit of Bezos news this week is that in 2007 and 2011 the multi-billionaire did not pay a cent in US federal income tax. He was in good company: in 2018 Elon Musk of Tesla also paid no federal income taxes. Michael Bloomberg, Carl Icahn and George Soros are also all recent members of the zero club. » | Editorial | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Swearing On Rise But Parents Still Don’t Want Kids Hearing It, Report Finds
THE GUARDIAN: Third of people say they use strong language more than they did five years ago, according to BBFC survey
Swearing in everyday life is on the rise, according to research, but parents do not want to see it increase in the film and television their children watch.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) published a report on Thursday into attitudes towards swearing and whether people want a more liberal approach in media content. » | Mark Brown, Arts correspondent | Thursday, June 10, 2021
Swearing in everyday life is on the rise, according to research, but parents do not want to see it increase in the film and television their children watch.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) published a report on Thursday into attitudes towards swearing and whether people want a more liberal approach in media content. » | Mark Brown, Arts correspondent | Thursday, June 10, 2021
Boris Johnson Must Respect Rule of Law and Implement Brexit Deal, Says EU
THE GUARDIAN: Bloc leaders say UK must fully implement post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland
Boris Johnson must respect the “rule of law” by fully implementing the post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, EU leaders have said ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall.
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said the behaviour of the prime minister was of increasing concern to EU member states. “It’s paramount to implement what we have decided – this is a question of rule of law,” he said.
The prime minister will hold a trilateral meeting with Michel and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in Cornwall.
The framing of the dispute between the UK and the EU as one of respect for the international legal order will chime with the US president, Joe Biden, who arrived in Cornwall on Thursday. Biden is expected to call for both sides to respect the Good Friday agreement. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Thursday, June 10, 2021
Biden arrives with demand that UK settle Brexit row over Northern Ireland »
Boris Johnson must respect the “rule of law” by fully implementing the post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, EU leaders have said ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall.
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said the behaviour of the prime minister was of increasing concern to EU member states. “It’s paramount to implement what we have decided – this is a question of rule of law,” he said.
The prime minister will hold a trilateral meeting with Michel and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, in Cornwall.
The framing of the dispute between the UK and the EU as one of respect for the international legal order will chime with the US president, Joe Biden, who arrived in Cornwall on Thursday. Biden is expected to call for both sides to respect the Good Friday agreement. » | Daniel Boffey in Brussels | Thursday, June 10, 2021
Biden arrives with demand that UK settle Brexit row over Northern Ireland »
The Thinking Atheist: Remembering My Father
Piers Morgan on Why Vegan Sausage Rolls Are Destroying Our Democracy | 60 Minutes Australia
I’ve never been a big fan of Piers Morgan, but I have to say that he’s spot on with this. – ©Mark
Surprising New Wave of Teen Celibacy Sweeping America | 60 Minutes Australia
Christ! Doesn’t the crap coming out of America ever end? Why don’t Americans try being normal and measured for a change? Why don’t they give up these extreme positions on everything? – ©Mark
Wednesday, June 09, 2021
Harry and Meghan Reject Claim Queen Not Consulted on Lilibet Name
THE GUARDIAN: BBC correspondent says palace source claims Sussexes did not ask for permission to use name for daughter
Buckingham Palace has become embroiled in a row over whether the Queen was consulted over the naming of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter.
Harry and Meghan’s decision to name their second child Lilibet, a childhood nickname of the Queen, was seen as an attempt by the couple to try to mend their rift with the royal family.
But the couple’s suggestion, widely reported in the media, that the Queen gave her blessing for the name appears to have only deepened divisions with some at the palace.
The BBC’s royal correspondent, Jonny Dymond, reported that the Queen had not been consulted about the name. The BBC did not quote the source for its story directly, but Dymond said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the source had made it very clear that the Sussexes had not asked permission to use the name and that none had been granted. » | Matthew Weaver | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Harry wages war with BBC; threatens legal action »
Buckingham Palace has become embroiled in a row over whether the Queen was consulted over the naming of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter.
Harry and Meghan’s decision to name their second child Lilibet, a childhood nickname of the Queen, was seen as an attempt by the couple to try to mend their rift with the royal family.
But the couple’s suggestion, widely reported in the media, that the Queen gave her blessing for the name appears to have only deepened divisions with some at the palace.
The BBC’s royal correspondent, Jonny Dymond, reported that the Queen had not been consulted about the name. The BBC did not quote the source for its story directly, but Dymond said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the source had made it very clear that the Sussexes had not asked permission to use the name and that none had been granted. » | Matthew Weaver | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Harry wages war with BBC; threatens legal action »
EU-UK Relations Deteriorate as Northern Ireland Talks End without Agreement
THE GUARDIAN: ‘Patience wearing very thin’ and relationship with London ‘at crossroads’, says EU negotiator Maroš Šefčovič
Talks between the EU and the UK over Northern Ireland appear on the brink of collapse as London indicated it was still considering unilateral action to keep unhindered supplies flowing from Great Britain into the region.
The European commission vice-president, Maroš Šefčovič, said patience was “wearing very very thin” and described the relationship with the UK as “at a crossroads”.
Amid fears that the escalating crisis over Northern Ireland would develop into a trade war, David Frost, the Brexit minister, said there had been “no breakthroughs” over the Brexit checks but no “breakdowns” after a two-hour meeting with Šefčovič in London.
They agreed to continue to try to find a solution before 30 June when a ban on chilled meats including sausages and mincemeat is due to come into force. » | Lisa O’Carroll and Peter Walker | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Talks between the EU and the UK over Northern Ireland appear on the brink of collapse as London indicated it was still considering unilateral action to keep unhindered supplies flowing from Great Britain into the region.
The European commission vice-president, Maroš Šefčovič, said patience was “wearing very very thin” and described the relationship with the UK as “at a crossroads”.
Amid fears that the escalating crisis over Northern Ireland would develop into a trade war, David Frost, the Brexit minister, said there had been “no breakthroughs” over the Brexit checks but no “breakdowns” after a two-hour meeting with Šefčovič in London.
They agreed to continue to try to find a solution before 30 June when a ban on chilled meats including sausages and mincemeat is due to come into force. » | Lisa O’Carroll and Peter Walker | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
The JFK Assassination | 72 Hours That Changed America
John F Kennedy at 100 - in pictures »
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis obituary »
March 24, 1961 - New First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Interviewed by Sander Vanocur
La longue liste des présidents de la République insultés ou attaqués
LE POINT: Du coup de canne au président Loubet à la gifle d’Emmanuel Macron, histoire d’une haine qui eut parfois des conséquences dramatiques.
Emmanuel Macron giflé, la scène humiliante interpelle et en rappelle bien d'autres que nos présidents ont connues dans leur carrière : on se souvient des sifflets et des huées qui ont accompagné le départ de Giscard d'Estaing de l'Élysée, en mai 1981, ou de Nicolas Sarkozy, violemment pris à partie par un employé municipal qui avait soudainement agrippé sa veste lors d'une visite près d'Agen, écopant de six mois avec sursis. » | Par Marc Fourny | vendredi 9 juin 2021
Le président giflé : un vent mauvais souffle sur la démocratie »
Emmanuel Macron giflé, la scène humiliante interpelle et en rappelle bien d'autres que nos présidents ont connues dans leur carrière : on se souvient des sifflets et des huées qui ont accompagné le départ de Giscard d'Estaing de l'Élysée, en mai 1981, ou de Nicolas Sarkozy, violemment pris à partie par un employé municipal qui avait soudainement agrippé sa veste lors d'une visite près d'Agen, écopant de six mois avec sursis. » | Par Marc Fourny | vendredi 9 juin 2021
Le président giflé : un vent mauvais souffle sur la démocratie »
Emmanuel Macron Slapped in the Face
Man who slapped Emmanuel Macron to appear at fast-track trial »
Photo: Damien Tarel »
L’homme qui a giflé Emmanuel Macron condamné à dix-huit mois de prison dont quatre ferme »
Raise Age for Sale of Cigarettes to 21 and Stop ‘Tobacco Epidemic’, Say UK MPs
THE GUARDIAN: Making it illegal for more young people to buy cigarettes would help meet the government’s target of ending smoking by 2030, MPs say
MPs have called for a consultation on raising the age for the sale of cigarettes to 21 from 18 in order to end the “tobacco epidemic” by 2030.
The all-party parliamentary group on smoking and health has recommended raising the age of sale from 18 to 21 as part of tougher tobacco regulations to protect children and young people from becoming smokers and help smokers quit.
The recommendations, backed by health charities and medical organisations, also include a “polluter pays” amendment to the health and social care bill to secure funding for a tobacco control programme, forcing manufacturers to pay to deliver the end of smoking.
The cross-party group of MPs and peers has warned the government that it can only build back “better and fairer” from the pandemic by making smoking obsolete and must commit now to the actions needed to secure its vision of a Smokefree 2030. » | Press Association | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Somebody ought to shut these meddlesome do-gooders up! Kick them out of government! I am all for discouraging smoking, but I am against this nanny state. They are attacking smokers at every turn: they are making smokers’ lives intolerable. They are also turning the smoking habit into the preserve of the élite. I hope and trust that if they go ahead and raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21, they will not expect anyone under the age of twenty-one to go fight their damn wars! If you aren’t old enough to smoke, then you are certainly not old enough to kill! Politicians' time would be better spent putting an end to corruption in this extremely corrupt country of ours! –©Mark
MPs have called for a consultation on raising the age for the sale of cigarettes to 21 from 18 in order to end the “tobacco epidemic” by 2030.
The all-party parliamentary group on smoking and health has recommended raising the age of sale from 18 to 21 as part of tougher tobacco regulations to protect children and young people from becoming smokers and help smokers quit.
The recommendations, backed by health charities and medical organisations, also include a “polluter pays” amendment to the health and social care bill to secure funding for a tobacco control programme, forcing manufacturers to pay to deliver the end of smoking.
The cross-party group of MPs and peers has warned the government that it can only build back “better and fairer” from the pandemic by making smoking obsolete and must commit now to the actions needed to secure its vision of a Smokefree 2030. » | Press Association | Wednesday, June 9, 2021
Somebody ought to shut these meddlesome do-gooders up! Kick them out of government! I am all for discouraging smoking, but I am against this nanny state. They are attacking smokers at every turn: they are making smokers’ lives intolerable. They are also turning the smoking habit into the preserve of the élite. I hope and trust that if they go ahead and raise the age to buy cigarettes to 21, they will not expect anyone under the age of twenty-one to go fight their damn wars! If you aren’t old enough to smoke, then you are certainly not old enough to kill! Politicians' time would be better spent putting an end to corruption in this extremely corrupt country of ours! –©Mark
The Dangerous Delta Variant
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Covid cases are rising in Britain — and U.S. trends may soon follow.
Britain has had one of the world’s most successful Covid-19 responses in recent months.
Unlike the European Union, the British government understood that quickly obtaining vaccine doses mattered more than negotiating the lowest price. Unlike the United States, Britain was willing to impose nationwide restrictions again late last year to reduce caseloads. British officials also chose to maximize first vaccine shots and delay second shots, recognizing that the strategy could more quickly reduce Covid cases.
Thanks to these moves, Covid has retreated more quickly in Britain than in almost any other country. Fewer than 10 Britons per day have been dying in recent weeks, down from 1,200 a day in late January. On a per-capita basis, Britain’s death rate last month was less than one-tenth the U.S. rate.
Despite this success, Britain is now coping with a rise in Covid cases. The main cause appears to be the highly infectious virus variant known as Delta, which was first detected in India. Britain’s recent moves to reopen society also probably play a role.
The increase is a reminder that progress against the pandemic — even extreme progress — does not equal ultimate victory. Britain’s experience also suggests that cases may soon rise in the U.S. “What we’re seeing in U.K. is very likely to show up in other Western countries soon,” The Financial Times’s John Burn-Murdoch wrote. » | David Leonhardt | Monday, June 7, 2021
Britain has had one of the world’s most successful Covid-19 responses in recent months.
Unlike the European Union, the British government understood that quickly obtaining vaccine doses mattered more than negotiating the lowest price. Unlike the United States, Britain was willing to impose nationwide restrictions again late last year to reduce caseloads. British officials also chose to maximize first vaccine shots and delay second shots, recognizing that the strategy could more quickly reduce Covid cases.
Thanks to these moves, Covid has retreated more quickly in Britain than in almost any other country. Fewer than 10 Britons per day have been dying in recent weeks, down from 1,200 a day in late January. On a per-capita basis, Britain’s death rate last month was less than one-tenth the U.S. rate.
Despite this success, Britain is now coping with a rise in Covid cases. The main cause appears to be the highly infectious virus variant known as Delta, which was first detected in India. Britain’s recent moves to reopen society also probably play a role.
The increase is a reminder that progress against the pandemic — even extreme progress — does not equal ultimate victory. Britain’s experience also suggests that cases may soon rise in the U.S. “What we’re seeing in U.K. is very likely to show up in other Western countries soon,” The Financial Times’s John Burn-Murdoch wrote. » | David Leonhardt | Monday, June 7, 2021
Tuesday, June 08, 2021
Legal Storm Clouds Gather over Donald Trump’s Future
He’s Teflon Don no more, at least when it comes to court.
Donald Trump, no longer insulated by claims of presidential protections, faces a host of increasingly serious legal problems in some of the US’s most high-profile courts, including both criminal investigation and civil litigation.
So even as Trump maintains his grip on the Republican party and teases ambitions to run again for president in 2024 – his legal woes could render all that debate meaningless: Trump’s future could lie in the courtroom, not the Oval Office.
Trump “can face criminal charges for activities that took place before he was president, after he was president, and while he was president – as long as they were not part of his duties while he was president of the United States,” said attorney David S Weinstein, partner at Jones Walker LLP’s Miami office. » | Victoria Bekiempis | Tuesday, June 8, 2021
John F Kennedy Jr: The Story of His Final 24 Hours | Full Documentary
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