The big island

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak is planning on marshalling a global effort among industrialised nations to introduce a so-called ‘Amazon tax’ in response to online companies reaping the rewards of restrictions on small businesses during the pandemic. The Chancellor is looking to come to an agreement among nations on how to implement a global tax on online companies before the G7 meeting in Cornwall this June. Implementing such a tax would require global cooperation, as the company is currently taxed under international treaties through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Sunak has already spoken about the issue with United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin, who is said to have expressed “openness” to the idea of implementing an Amazon tax. “One of my priorities in the G7 this year, which I’ve already started work on, is to try and get international agreement on a new way to tax these companies. I spend a lot of time talking … [Read more...] about UK Takes on Big Tech with Potential Global ‘Amazon Tax’

Talking about race is difficult. Talking about racial violence is more difficult. So, let’s not talk about the racial violence that took place Jan. 6 at the Capitol. ADVERTISEMENT Yes, I know the rampaging crowd was just about all-white. And, yes, the huge Confederate flag carried among the Trump supporters is a defining image of the insurrection. But Senate Republicans don’t want to talk about race and the Capitol riot that left five people dead, including a policeman. Last week they urged Christopher Wray, the FBI director, to look away. They prefer the FBI to be focused on Black Lives Matter and left-wing anarchist protests from last summer. Finally, Sen. Richard Durbin Dick Durbin Senate approves sweeping coronavirus measure in partisan vote Senate rejects Cruz effort to block stimulus checks for undocumented immigrants Senate inches toward COVID-19 vote after marathon session MORE (D-Ill.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had … [Read more...] about Juan Williams: GOP underplays white racist terrorism

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Republicans have endured a rocky start to the year, raising hopes among Lone Star Democrats that they can regain momentum after a disappointing 2020 cycle. The power grid failure during a rare polar vortex that led to a humanitarian crisis last month drew attention to the GOP’s leadership in a state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide office in nearly a quarter century. Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward Cruz Cruz puts hold on Biden's CIA nominee It will be Vice (or) President Harris against Gov. DeSantis in 2024 — bet on it Senate rejects Cruz effort to block stimulus checks for undocumented immigrants MORE ’s (R-Texas) brief trip to Cancun during the crisis ignited anger and severe blowback, potentially doing further damage to a political career that had been hobbled by his involvement in challenging the Electoral College vote count on the day of the Jan. 6 riots on Capitol Hill. ADVERTISEMENT This week — on Texas … [Read more...] about GOP stumbles give Democrats new hope in Texas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Pacioretty scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to lift the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday night. The Golden Knights erased a third-period, two-goal deficit to earn the victory in a matchup between the West Division’s top two teams. READ MORE: Coyotes Rally For 5-2 Win Over Wild After Alex Tuch scored the tying goal with 42 seconds left in regulation, it was Pacioretty punching home the game-winner after Vegas captain Mark Stone fed him with his fifth primary assist of the game. “That was a heavyweight tilt and to come back like that is a big momentum swing for us,” Stone said. Cody Glass and Nic Hague also scored for Vegas. Marc-Andre Fleury, making his ninth straight start, made 26 saves and improved to 10-3-0 after tying a season-high four goals allowed. Fleury has won both games he’s allowed four goals. Marcus Foligno scored twice, and Jordan Greenway and Nick Bonino scored for Minnesota. Cam … [Read more...] about Pacioretty’s OT Goal Lifts Golden Knights Past Wild, 5-4

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – As high temperatures are above freezing and the lows are below freezing, it’s a perfect slow snow melt scenario, and one of the few reasons flooding this spring won’t be as bad as the last. “The outlook for spring flood potential seems to be much lower than in a typical year and that’s a big change from what we had the last several years,” said Mike Welvaert, the Senior Hydrologist at the North Central River Forecast Center. The main factor is the amount of snow. “Past years we had a lot more snow on the ground and it has lasted a lot later into the season,” said Welvaert. Minnesota also had a wetter fall in 2019. “The soils were very, very moist, we had a lot of rain into the fall,” he added. But not this past fall. In 2020, Minnesota saw virtually no precipitation. It was so dry in fact that parts of Minnesota are currently classified as abnormally dry or even in moderate drought. “We have some room in the soil for some water . . . rather than letting … [Read more...] about Minnesota Weather: Perfect Snow Melt Will Minimize Flooding