OF News in a nutshell

Covid-19: Risk of a new wave in Europe, Africa and Asia at risk

The WHO warned on Thursday of the risk of a new wave of the pandemic carried by the Delta variant in Europe, at the same time that it is launching its health pass in the hope of reviving tourism, while the number of cases is increasing at “an alarming rate” in Africa. Asia is not spared either: Bangladesh has been under lockdown since Thursday and restrictions are announced for Saturday in Indonesia, in the face of a sharp increase in contaminations. While several European countries seemed to be seeing the end of the tunnel and were gradually lifting their health measures, the European branch of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of Covid-19 cases increased by 10% last week in this region, which includes 53 territories. This is “due to the increase in brewing, travel, gatherings and the relaxation of social restrictions.” WHO Europe expects the Delta variant, which is particularly contagious, to become “dominant” there by August

An agreement on a new tax system for multinationals

"A colossal step”, “historic day”: less than a month after the G7, and after years of negotiations, 130 countries, but not Ireland, agreed on Thursday to better tax multinationals, including a minimum corporate tax rate of “at least 15%”. “After years of intense work and negotiations, this historic package of measures will ensure that large multinational companies pay their fair share of taxes around the world,” Mathias Cormann, the secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) who is leading these negotiations, said in a statement. A small group of countries, including Ireland and Hungary, which were very reluctant to the proposed agreement that was being negotiated, in particular on a minimum rate of 15%, did not sign the declaration concluded today, according to the list provided by the Organization

IN A NUTSHELL

The record for heat on the Antarctic continent was broken on February 6, 2020 with a temperature of 18.3 degrees Celsius, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

The French economy should rebound significantly this year, estimates INSEE, which forecasts GDP growth of 6%, well above the government's estimate (5%), thanks in particular to a strong recovery in household consumption after a year of restrictions.

Lukaku versus Immobile, De Bruyne versus Verratti: Belgium-Italy is not only the top of the Euro quarterfinals, Friday (21:00) in Munich, but also a generational clash between an uninhibited “Nazionale” and “Red Devils” cut for the trophy despite major injuries.