Spain will not accept threats over digital tax – govt spokeswoman
Spain and its European allies will not accept any threats over a proposed tax on internet giants’ revenues, government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said on Thursday, a day after Washington decided to pull out of talks on the matter.
EU ready to go it alone on taxation of digital firms
The European Union is ready to go it alone with taxing digital services of firms like Google, Amazon, Facebook or Apple if there is no global deal on such a tax this year, European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Thursday.
Europe threatens digital taxes without global deal, after U.S. quits talks
The European Union said on Thursday it could impose taxes on digital giants such as Google , Amazon and Facebook even without a global agreement by the year-end, after Washington quit talks and stoked fears of a new trade war.
Brussels adds George Floyd memorial to large mural collection
Brussels added to its large collection of murals on Thursday with a newly commissioned work in memory of African-American George Floyd, whose killing by police has sparked global protests against racism and police violence.
Vatican urges Catholics to drop investments in fossil fuels, arms
The Vatican urged Catholics on Thursday to disinvest from the armaments and fossil fuel industries and to closely monitor companies in sectors such as mining to check if they are damaging the environment.
Spanish minister stands up for Columbus statues amid global protests
The education minister in Spain’s leftist coalition government defended the country’s numerous statues of 15th century navigator Christopher Columbus against calls by anti-racism activists to tear them down amid a wave of global protests.
Tokyo prosecutors: ex-justice minister, wife gave 1.7 million yen to buy votes
Tokyo prosecutors said in a statement on Thursday that ex-Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai and his wife, upper house lawmaker Anri, gave a total of 1.7 million yen to five people last year to help get her elected.
Germany expects EU sanctions against Russia to be extended
Germany expects European Union leaders this week to pave the way for an extension of EU sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis, a senior government official said on Thursday.
Some business travel to Thailand may resume next month, official says
Thailand could allow inbound international travel to resume next month for business purposes, the aviation regulator said on Thursday, as the country seeks to revive an economy hit badly by the impacts of the coronavirus and global travel curbs.
Poles turn to rustic bolt-holes at home to escape COVID-19
As summer begins and the lockdown eases, more Poles are shunning foreign resorts and are opting instead for holidays in remote rural settings at home, perhaps a forest tent or a lakeside cottage far from tourist crowds and COVID-19.
