The BulleTin • Monday, June 7, 2021 A3 TODAY DEAR ABBY Today is Monday, June 7, the 158th day of 2021. There are 207 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 7, 1942, the Battle of Midway ended in a decisive victory for American naval forces over Imperial Japan, marking a turning point in the Pacific War. In 1712, Pennsylvania’s colonial assembly voted to ban the fur- ther importation of slaves. In 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia offered a resolution to the Continental Congress stating “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” In 1892, Homer Plessy, a “Creole of color,” was arrested for refus- ing to leave a whites-only car of the East Louisiana Railroad. (Ruling on his case, the U.S. Su- preme Court upheld “separate but equal” racial segregation, a concept it renounced in 1954.) In 1929, the sovereign state of Vatican City came into existence as copies of the Lateran Treaty were exchanged in Rome. In 1958, singer-songwriter Prince was born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis. In 1965, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Griswold v. Connecticut, struck down, 7-2, a Connecticut law used to prosecute a Planned Parenthood clinic in New Haven for providing contraceptives to married couples. In 1981, Israeli military planes destroyed a nuclear power plant in Iraq, a facility the Israelis charged could have been used to make nuclear weapons. In 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious groups could sometimes meet on school property after hours. Ground was broken for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. In 1998, in a crime that shocked the nation, James Byrd Jr., a 49-year-old Black man, was hooked by a chain to a pickup truck and dragged to his death in Jasper, Texas. In 2004, a steady, near-silent stream of people circled through the rotunda of the Ronald Rea- gan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, where the body of the nation’s 40th president lay in repose before traveling to Washington two days later for a state funeral. Ten years ago: Moammar Gad- hafi stood defiant in the face of the heaviest and most punishing NATO airstrikes to date, declaring in an audio address carried on Libyan state television, “We will not kneel!” Fazul Abdullah Mo- hammed, the al-Qaida master- mind behind the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, was killed at a security checkpoint in Mogadishu by Somali forces. Five years ago: Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump claimed their parties’ presidential nominations following contests in New Jersey, California, Montana, New Mexi- co, North Dakota and South Da- kota. Five people were killed and four were injured when a pickup struck a large group of bicyclists from behind on a two-lane road in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. One year ago: A majority of Minneapolis City Council mem- bers said they supported dis- mantling the police department. Thousands took to the streets of European cities to show sup- port for the Black Lives Matter movement. A tally by Johns Hopkins University revealed that the worldwide death toll from COVID-19 had surpassed 400,000. Today’s Birthdays: Movie director James Ivory is 93. Actor Virginia McKenna is 90. Singer Tom Jones is 81. Poet Nikki Giovanni is 78. Former talk show host Jenny Jones is 75. Ameri- cana singer-songwriter Willie Nile is 73. Actor Anne Twomey is 70. Actor Liam Neeson is 69. Actor Colleen Camp is 68. Author Louise Erdrich is 67. Actor William Forsythe is 66. Record producer L.A. Reid is 65. Latin pop singer Juan Luis Guerra is 64. Former Vice President Mike Pence is 62. Rock singer-musician Gordon Gano (The Violent Femmes) is 58. Rock musician Eric Kretz (Stone Temple Pilots) is 55. Rock musi- cian Dave Navarro is 54. Actor Helen Baxendale is 51. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., is 49. Actor Karl Urban is 49. TV personality Bear Grylls is 47. Rock musician Eric Johnson (The Shins) is 45. Actor Adrienne Frantz is 43. Actor-comedian Bill Hader is 43. Actor Anna Torv is 42. Actor Lar- isa Oleynik is 40. Former tennis player Anna Kournikova is 40. Actor Michael Cera is 33. Actor Shelley Buckner is 32. Rapper Iggy Azalea is 31. Actor-model Emily Ratajkowski is 30. Rapper Fetty Wap is 30. — Associated Press Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Dear Abby: I am an active 90-year-old grandmother who every year treats my family to a week’s vacation at a beach house. We have a lovely time together. Two years ago, my grown son, “Robert,” brought his girlfriend, “Gennifer,” and her teenage son, “Jackson.” After the trip I was shocked to hear Jackson had killed the family kittens “to see how it felt.” I was horrified, but knowing he was in therapy, I eventually agreed to allow him to join us on the trip last year. We are now looking for- ward to our trip this summer. However, it was recently men- tioned that Jackson has been hearing voices instructing him to kill a human. While I am sympathetic to his mental illness, I am extremely fright- ened for myself and for other family members who are com- ing. I do not want Jackson to come this year. I am concerned that if I ap- proach the subject with Rob- ert, he will be upset and I will lose all contact with him. Be- cause he lives out of state, our visits are limited as it is. Please help me, because the trip is in about four weeks. — Sleepless Seaside Dear Sleepless: Clearly, Jackson is seriously disturbed. Because you are fearful that you or some other family member could be hurt — or worse — talk to your son about it. That boy’s mother should not take him anywhere without first clearing it with his psychiatrist. You should not be expected to entertain him as a houseguest unless you can be assured that he won’t present a danger to him- self or to others. Dear Abby: I’m pleased and proud that so many people fly our American flag. However, it makes me sad and angry when I see flags that are torn and tattered. People, please. If your flag is in bad shape, take it down and dispose of it prop- erly. Many organizations, po- lice departments, fire depart- ments, Girl and Boy Scouts, the VFW and American Le- gion collect worn and dam- aged flags and hold proper dis- posal ceremonies. Abby, please remind your readers who are proud of our country to be re- spectful of our flag. — Flag Waver in Indiana Dear Flag Waver: There are rules for appropriately displaying and disposing of our American flag, some of which proud Americans either choose to break or are igno- rant about. (One that comes to mind addresses wearing clothing such as T-shirts, bath- ing suits — and face masks — bearing the likeness of the flag.) Many American Legion posts hold ceremonies once a year so people can dispose of flags that have “seen better days.” For those who are in- terested in learning more, and there is plenty more to learn, go online and type in a search for “U.S. flag code.” Dear Abby: Should a spouse stay in a marriage with minor children involved if they have fallen out of love and are no longer sexually attracted to their spouse? — Just Wondering in California Dear Just Wondering: I don’t think so, because un- der those circumstances, the relationship is likely at some point to implode. The import- ant issue is that the children be provided for financially and co-parented by two lov- ing, supportive adults who can function as a team, even if they are living apart. YOUR HOROSCOPE By Georgia Nicols Stars show the kind of day you’ll have DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT MOON ALERT: There are no restrictions to shopping or important deci- sions today. The Moon is in Taurus. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2021: You are an easygoing optimist who can multitask with skill. You are ambitious, pragmatic and capable of adapting fast to change. This year many of the things you have been involved with for the past nine years will come to fruition or perhaps end. Life goes in cycles. You are now in a year of letting go and giving up things. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Pay attention to all things financial today, because something unexpect- ed might change things. Someone in authority or something to do with rules, regulations or the government might impact your wealth or something that you own. Guard your possessions against accidents or loss. (Yikes!) Tonight: Avoid extravagance. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Today the Moon is in your sign lined up with unpredictable Uranus; plus, it’s at odds with stern Saturn. This can trigger negative thinking or put pressure on relationships and partnerships. The important thing to know is the Moon moves swiftly, which means this is gone by sundown. Tonight: You’re sympa- thetic to others. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You feel vaguely uncomfortable about something. Perhaps you don’t want to ask permission for something, or you’re afraid that the “powers that be” will deny you what you want. (It’s a restless feeling in the back of your mind.) Fortunately, it’s gone by the end of the day. Tonight: Seek solitude. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Your relationship with a friend or a member of a group might experi- ence a sudden change today. Your friend might say or do something you least expect. There might be a dispute about a loan or shared property. Fortunately, it’s minor. Tonight: Do charitable work. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) This is not an easy way to start your week, because relations with par- ents or authority figures are dicey. Something unexpected might occur. Some- one might make demands of you out of the blue. There might be a conflict with someone. Fortunately, it’s minor. Tonight: Help someone in need. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Travel plans might be interrupted today or, alternatively. you might suddenly have to travel when you didn’t expect to do so. Ditto for plans related to higher education, publishing and the media. Today you want to spread your wings and fly — anywhere! Tonight: Explore spiritual or mystical matters. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Make friends with your bank account today to make sure you know what’s happening in case something unusual needs your attention. Check out a possible glitch with shared property, money from the government, taxes, debt or insurance matters. Tonight: Don’t give away the farm. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Be prepared to give a little today, because when the Moon is opposite your sign, you have to be flexible and prepared to go more than halfway. Meanwhile, someone might surprise you with their demands. It’s a tricky day, but nothing you can’t handle. Tonight: You care for someone. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Computer glitches and hiccups to your work routine might occur today; however, you might have some bright, genius-like ideas. This is not the day to pitch your ideas to a boss. Wait for another time. Meanwhile, ex-partners might require attention. Tonight: Help someone in need. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) This morning might be a bit demanding, dealing with children, espe- cially with accidents or sudden changes. Social plans might change due to financial limitations. (It’s tough having champagne tastes on a beer wallet.) Just cope as best you can, because you are a realist. Tonight: Enjoy play times with children. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Your home routine will be interrupted today. Small appliances might break down or minor breakages could occur. Get dressed, because someone might suddenly appear at your door. A challenge with a parent or older family member is possible. Tonight: Listen to a family member. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Pay attention to everything you say and do today, because this is a mild- ly accident-prone day for your sign. Avoid negative thinking. Remember: Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but gets you nowhere. Tonight: Enjoy daydreaming. Wealthiest nations target tax dodging, environmental crimes Bloomberg News The Group of Seven nations secured a landmark deal that could help countries collect more taxes from big compa- nies and enable governments to impose levies on U.S. tech giants such as Amazon and Facebook. The agreement by the G-7 finance ministers in London satisfies a U.S. demand for a minimum corporate tax rate of “at least 15%” on foreign earn- ings and paves the way for lev- ies on multinationals in coun- tries where they make money, instead of just where they are headquartered. The deal is aimed at mod- ernizing the century-old in- ternational tax code and cools transatlantic tensions that threatened to spill into a trade war under Donald Trump. But key details are still to be nailed down, more nations must sign on, and full implementation could take years. The G-7 nations — the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, plus the Eu- ropean Union — also targeted environmental crimes with a move to push companies into disclosing the impact they have on the climate. Finance ministers agreed for the first time to embed cli- mate-change considerations into their decision making. They also expanded the work of a money laundering and corruption watchdog to root out crimes against the planet. Taxing the biggest businesses The G-7 agreed Saturday to support a global minimum corporate tax of at least 15% to deter multinational companies from avoiding taxes by stash- ing profits in low-rate coun- tries. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, among the finance chiefs who hailed the tax an- nouncement as an unprece- dented step, said a final accord Michel Spingler/AP file G-7 finance ministers meeting in London endorsed proposals to make the world’s biggest compa- nies — including U.S.-based tech giants like Amazon — pay taxes in countries where they have lots of sales but no physical head- quarters. on which companies could see their profits taxed outside their home countries would include the likes of Amazon and Face- book. “What you’re seeing is a re- vival of multilateralism, a will- ingness of leading nations in the G-7 and G-20, to cooper- ate to address the most critical challenges facing the global economies,” Yellen said after the meeting. Focus will now shift to a July meeting of the Group of 20 finance ministers in Italy and long-running talks be- tween about 140 countries at the Organization for Eco- nomic Cooperation and De- velopment. The G-7 pact marks a step to rewrite a global system that critics said allowed big compa- nies to save billions of dollars in tax bills by shifting juris- dictions. It’s also help address complaints that major digital companies can make money in multiple countries and pay taxes only at home. In response to the an- nouncement, some of the world’s biggest tech compa- nies focused on how the deal could help clear up the rules on where to pay taxes. “Today’s agreement is a significant first step toward certainty for businesses and strengthening public confi- dence in the global tax system,” Facebook’s Global Affairs Vice President Nick Clegg said on Twitter. An Amazon spokesperson said the OECD-led process “will help bring stability to the international tax system” and described Saturday’s deal as a “welcome step forward in the effort to achieve this goal.” Under the Trump admin- istration, the U.S. had refused to allow foreign governments to tax American digital com- panies, a key European de- mand. The Biden administration, which would need approval from Congress on any tax scheme, hopes the deal hands it leverage for its massive infra- structure program. It is seek- ing support from lawmakers to raise the domestic corporate tax rate to 21%. An interna- tional deal for 15% could help him because it offers multina- tionals options. Environmental considerations The G-7’s environmental crimes initiative would tackle illicit finance and activities like illegal logging and wild- life tracking. The U.K. said the measures would help create a registry of company officials and corporate entities, helping expose the ultimate owners of those who are encouraging crime. The initiative also handed authority over environmental crimes to the Financial Action Task Force, an intergovern- mental group of more than 200 countries and jurisdictions sharing information to tackle corruption, money laundering and terrorism. The G-7 countries encour- aged further consultation on a final proposal leading to the es- tablishment of an International Sustainability Standards board ahead of COP26, a United Na- tions gathering scheduled for November to discuss climate change.