The long-running fight between the U.S. and Europe over how to tax American tech giants is heating up.

The Trump administration on Monday proposed retaliating against France for a tax on digital services, floating $2.4 billion in tariffs, and Paris is vowing to hit back. 

The dispute is raising pressure on international negotiators to develop a framework for taxing tech companies whose businesses span the globe. But as the complicated talks unfold, the U.S. is threatening to launch more investigations.

ADVERTISEMENT

“USTR’s decision today sends a clear signal that the United States will take action against digital tax regimes that discriminate or otherwise impose undue burdens on U.S. companies,” Robert LighthizerRobert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerPelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 Pelosi sounds hopeful on new NAFTA deal despite tensions with White House On The Money: Economy adds 164K jobs in July | Trump signs two-year budget deal, but border showdown looms | US, EU strike deal on beef exports MORE, the U.S. trade representative (USTR), said on Monday.

The majority of the roughly 30 businesses that could be affected by digital taxes are based in the U.S., including tech giants Amazon, Google and Facebook.

Tensions between the U.S. and European countries over taxes on American tech companies have existed for a number of years. European policymakers have argued that the tech companies have not paid enough in taxes in their countries, while U.S. policymakers on both sides of the aisle have argued that Europe is trying to unfairly target American businesses.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur RossWilbur Louis RossThe Hill’s Morning Report – Intel panel readies to hand off impeachment baton Lawmakers battle over future of Ex-Im Bank On The Money: Dems say Ukraine aid documents from OMB show ‘pattern of abuse’ | Blue states file appeal over GOP tax law deduction cap | Dems sue Barr, Ross over census documents MORE on Tuesday claimed the European Union is going after digital services because the region harbors a “tremendous jealousy” of Silicon Valley. 

“Europe doesn’t have the real high-tech champions and the real e-commerce champions that we do,” Ross said on CNBC. 

In one notable case in 2016, the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, ruled that Apple owes Ireland billions of dollars in unpaid taxes. Apple and Ireland, which has a low corporate income tax rate, are challenging the ruling.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last year, the European Commission floated having an EU-wide digital services tax, but the countries in the EU weren’t able to reach an agreement. Because of a lack of consensus, individual European countries have started to consider imposing their own digital taxes. 

The tech industry has pushed back aggressively at all efforts to impose digital taxes on a region-by-region basis, claiming that it would be unfair to “double-” or “triple-tax” U.S. companies offering free services around the world. 

CompTIA, a tech trade group, said in a statement that its membership “strongly opposes the [digital services tax] and those proposed like it.”

“This discriminatory tax targets many of the world’s most innovative companies by taxing their profits twice and will ultimately harm job and economic growth in France and elsewhere,” said Cinnamon Rogers, CompTIA’s executive vice president of advocacy. 

Earlier this year, France became the first European country to adopt and implement a tax on revenues generated by providing digital services in its country. France’s 3 percent tax applies only to companies with a large amount of revenue from digital services, and it applies retroactively to the start of 2019. Several other European countries are in the process of adopting or implementing their own digital services taxes. 

The Trump administration became concerned about the French tax even before it was signed into law. In July — after France’s Parliament agreed on a final bill but before French President Emmanuel MacronEmmanuel Jean-Michel MacronOvernight Defense: Trump clashes with Macron at NATO summit | House impeachment report says Trump abused power | Top Dem scolds military leaders on Trump intervention in war crimes cases On The Money: Stocks tumble on Trump China trade remarks | Trump says deal could come after 2020 | Why Wall Street freaked | Trump loses appeal over Deutsche Bank subpoena The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Trump, Macron clash at NATO summit MORE signed it later in the month — the USTR launched an investigation into whether the French tax is discriminatory and burdens U.S. commerce. 

On Monday, the USTR announced that it found the French tax to be discriminatory and proposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on French products such as sparkling wine, cheese and handbags.

Lighthizer also said that the administration is looking at whether to start investigations into digital taxes that have advanced in Austria, Italy and Turkey.

The fight has made for strange bedfellows. Trump and U.S. lawmakers have at times been critical of the large tech companies that are affected by France’s digital tax, including Google and Facebook, which the president claims have exhibited bias against conservatives. But the president and politicians on both sides of the aisle have taken the tech companies’ side in the fight over digital taxes.

“The tech companies you’re talking about, they’re not my favorite people because they aren’t exactly for me, but that’s OK,” Trump said Tuesday at a meeting with Macron on the sidelines of the NATO summit in London. “I don’t care. They’re American companies. And we want to tax American companies. … That’s important. We want to tax them. That’s not for somebody else to tax.”

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck GrassleyCharles (Chuck) Ernest GrassleyThe Hill’s Morning Report – Intel panel readies to hand off impeachment baton Trump administration proposes tariffs on .4B in French goods GOP senators warn Trump trade deal will go into 2020 if deal not reached this week MORE (R-Iowa) and ranking member Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenTrump administration proposes tariffs on .4B in French goods Democratic congressman calls for study of effects of sex-trafficking law Enhancing protections for sensitive information in congressional investigations MORE (D-Ore.) issued a joint statement on Monday saying they welcomed the USTR’s report.

Wyden said Tuesday that “what we’re trying to do is protect American jobs in the face of French protectionism.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been working to develop solutions to address tax challenges in the digital economy. The group, which includes the U.S. and France, is aiming to reach an agreement by the end of next year in order to prevent more companies from acting unilaterally. 

The tech industry has thrown its support behind the OECD process, which will help them avert the prospect of facing separate taxes from a variety of countries. 

“I’d just hope that with the stakes being as clear as they are, this sense that there could be a multiyear conflict around all of this, that just puts the OECD negotiation appropriately in the correct light,” said Jennifer McCloskey, vice president of policy at the Information Technology Industry Council, a trade group that represents Amazon, Apple and Google. 

Both Trump and Macron said Tuesday that they’d hope they can resolve their disagreement on digital taxes.

Business and tax groups said that the USTR’s determination sends an important message to other countries considering taking unilateral action to adopt digital services taxes.

“The USTR decision sends a clear signal to those countries during the ongoing OECD process that the U.S. will take action against countries that implement digital taxes that discriminate and unfairly place burdens on U.S. companies,” said Andreas Hellmann, international advocacy manager at the right-leaning Americans for Tax Reform.

ADVERTISEMENT

The prospect of a round of individual digital taxes in different countries and retaliatory tariffs is also certain to raise the pressure for a global deal.

Those following the OECD negotiations said the group faces challenges in reaching a solution on the international tax issues.

“These issues are extremely complex, and they involve a lot of issues that conflict with each other,” said Joe KennedyJoseph (Joe) Patrick KennedySanders’s Massachusetts state director ‘moves on’ from campaign Senate Democrat’s bill would allow sanctions for ‘egregious’ actions causing climate change The Hill’s 12:30 Report: What we learned from first impeachment transcripts MORE, a senior fellow at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. “Getting all the nations to agree with all the provisions in one year or even two is going to be very difficult.”

The clock is ticking for negotiators.

Macron said in August that France would get rid of its digital services tax once an OECD agreement has been adopted.

Catherine Schultz, vice president for tax policy at the National Foreign Trade Council, said that it would be the “best case scenario” if France repeals its tax before any U.S. tariffs take effect.

The U.S. spent more than $1 trillion on hospitals in 2018, the largest percentage of all health spending, according to a new government analysis of health spending released Thursday.

The study from the nonpartisan actuaries at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found $1.2 trillion, or 33 percent of health care spending in 2018, was on hospitals. Total health spending reached $3.6 trillion.

The new report comes as Congress, the Trump administration and 2020 Democratic presidential candidates are debating ways to lower how much money Americans have to pay for care. 

ADVERTISEMENT

In the Democratic fight over “Medicare for All” and in the push to lower health care costs in general, hospitals usually fly under the radar, as politicians tend to focus on drug companies and insurers. But the report shows hospitals make up a much larger share of health care spending than drug companies.

Retail prescription drug prices fell slightly last year for the first time in 40 years, but spending on retail drugs grew 2.5 percent, to $335 billion. That amounted to 9 percent of total health spending, the study found. 

The Trump administration has targeted hospitals recently with new rules intended to increase transparency and drive down costs by boosting competition. The administration wants hospitals to disclose the discounted prices they give insurers for a wide range of services.

Hospitals groups filed a lawsuit against the administration on Wednesday, challenging the legality of the rules. 

CMS Administrator Seema Verma said the growth in hospital pricing is clear evidence the administration’s transparency rules are needed. 

“With hospital prices increasing 2.4% in 2018– and with price increases driving the growth we’re seeing in hospital spending – why wouldn’t we want to make hospital prices transparent?” Verma tweeted Thursday. 

According to the study, health spending overall climbed 4.6 percent in 2018 to $3.6 trillion, accounting for nearly 18 percent of the U.S. economy. Health care expenditures amounted to $11,172 per person.

Senators from both sides of the aisle sounded the alarm Wednesday on the dangers posed to small businesses and government entities by ransomware cyberattacks following a classified briefing from a key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official.

The Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, led by Sens. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerHillicon Valley: House passes anti-robocall bill | Senators inch forward on privacy legislation | Trump escalates fight over tech tax | Illinois families sue TikTok | Senators get classified briefing on ransomware Senators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing Hillicon Valley: Dueling bills set stage for privacy debate | Google co-founders step down from parent company | Advocates rally for self-driving car bill | Elon Musk defamation trial begins | Lawsuit accuses TikTok of sharing data with China MORE (D-Va.) and Cory GardnerCory Scott GardnerHillicon Valley: House passes anti-robocall bill | Senators inch forward on privacy legislation | Trump escalates fight over tech tax | Illinois families sue TikTok | Senators get classified briefing on ransomware Senators urge FERC to protect critical infrastructure from Huawei threats Senators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing MORE (R-Colo.), hosted the meeting with Christopher Krebs, the director of DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), who briefed members on threats posed by ransomware attacks.

Ransomware attacks have become an increasing threat nationwide over the past year, according to experts. The attacks involve an individual or group gaining access to a system, encrypting it and then demanding money before unlocking it for the owner.

ADVERTISEMENT

City governments including Baltimore and Atlanta have spent millions recovering their systems after ransomware attacks, while nearly two dozen small town governments in Texas were also the victims of a coordinated ransomware attack. States agencies in Louisiana have also been attacked as well as school districts in several states in separate debilitating attacks.

Following the briefing Wednesday, Warner said in a statement that “the continued prevalence of ransomware should really capture our attention.”

“Ransomware and its destructive cousin wiperware are designed to inflict fear and uncertainty, disrupt vital services, and sow distrust in public institutions,” Warner said.

Wiperware is a type of malware that infects a system and wipes the hard drive clean. It’s not as big as ransomware, but experts have warned that it remains a threat.

“While often viewed as basic digital extortion, ransomware has had materially adverse impacts on markets, social services like education, water, and power, and on healthcare delivery, as we have seen in a number of states and municipalities across the United States,” Warner added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gardner told The Hill on Tuesday prior to the briefing that he thought it was “important that the American people understand what’s at risk, so to have something that it is out in the open that we can get out is needed so the American people can be eyes open when it comes to the challenges that our country faces.”

Sen. Maggie HassanMargaret (Maggie) HassanSenators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing Biden reveals four women he could pick as his running mate Hillicon Valley: Progressives oppose funding bill over surveillance authority | Senators call for 5G security coordinator | Facebook gets questions over location tracking | Louisiana hit by ransomware attack MORE (D-N.H.), a member of the Cybersecurity Caucus, said in a statement Wednesday that the briefing was “a helpful conversation to aid us in grappling with the complexities of the threats we face and what we can do to address them.”

Hassan has pushed for action to protect small businesses and government entities from attack, sending a letter to the Government Accountability Office in October asking that it look into how the federal government is currently able to support state and local governments that are hit by ransomware attacks.

The Senate also took action as a whole in September when it passed by unanimous consent a bill sponsored by Hassan and Sen. Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanSenators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing Senate roundtable showcases importance and needs of women entrepreneurs Impeachment will make some Senate Republicans squirm MORE (R-Ohio) that would increase the ability of the federal government to assist groups hit by ransomware attacks.

Sen. Gary PetersGary Charles PetersSenators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing GOP set for all-out battle over Michigan Senate seat Wheels begin to turn on self-driving car legislation MORE (D-Mich.), another member of the Cybersecurity Caucus and the top Democrat on the chamber’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, told reporters that while he was not at the briefing on Wednesday, he would support holding a public hearing on ransomware threats.

Click Here: State of Origin Jerseys

“It definitely has to be addressed, and our small businesses in particular are being hit and impacted by this, and a large percentage of those who get hit by it often don’t survive it and end up going out of business, so we’ll definitely be focusing on it next year,” Peters said.

Cybersecurity Caucus member Sen. Angus KingAngus KingHillicon Valley: House passes anti-robocall bill | Senators inch forward on privacy legislation | Trump escalates fight over tech tax | Illinois families sue TikTok | Senators get classified briefing on ransomware Senators urge FERC to protect critical infrastructure from Huawei threats Senators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing MORE (I-Maine) told reporters that he thought the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would be “a good place” for the hearing to be held but emphasized that he did not want to tell committee Chairman Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonSenators sound alarm on dangers of ransomware attacks after briefing Push to investigate Bidens sets up potential for Senate turf war Overnight Defense: Trump clashes with Macron at NATO summit | House impeachment report says Trump abused power | Top Dem scolds military leaders on Trump intervention in war crimes cases MORE (R-Wis.) “what hearings he should hold.”

“What we learned was (a) it’s a problem, (b) it’s widespread and increasing, and (c) companies and institutions, governments, state governments, local governments, there are things that they can do to protect themselves, but they have to take active measures to do so,” King said of the briefing.

Industry groups are sounding the alarm on President TrumpDonald John TrumpStates slashed 4,400 environmental agency jobs in past decade: study Biden hammers Trump over video of world leaders mocking him Iran building hidden arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles in Iraq: report MORE’s proposal to hit $2.4 billion in French goods with tariffs, warning that the latest trade salvo will affect a broad array of goods and its effects fall on U.S. consumers and small businesses.

The administration has proposed tariffs on a wide number of French products, including cheese, sparkling wine and Champagne, beauty products, handbags and home goods, in retaliation for a French tax on online services that targets American tech giants such as Google and Amazon.

Trade watchers warned the scope of the tariffs would be broad and lead to stark price hikes for consumers.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2018, the average tariff rate on French imports was 2.9 percent, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Under Trump’s tariffs, new taxes could be up to 100 percent for many goods.

The trade between the two countries is significant. In 2018, the U.S. imported more than $700 million in wines, including sparkling wines like Champagne, and more than $200 million in dairy products such as cheese, according to the NRF.

But trade watchers say it’s not just food products, with France also a major supplier of luxury goods and beauty products to the U.S. The U.S. imported more than $950 million worth of French cosmetics and more than $400 million worth of handbags, the NRF said. Homeware products such as porcelain or fine china from France could also be hit by Trump’s new tariffs.

And the effects will be felt by more than just consumers, industry groups warn.

“Importers in many cases are small and medium-sized companies providing solid middle-class jobs in their local communities. These tariffs pose cost burdens on these United States companies that result in job losses,” Robert Tobiassen, president of the National Association of Beverage Importers, told The Hill.

“More tariffs will only hurt these businesses more,” Tobiassen added, saying that his group is urging the parties in the fight over digital taxes and a separate trade dispute about European subsidies for aircraft manufacturer Airbus to “negotiate and reach a settlement of these matters quickly.”

Amy Smith, policy adviser at Arnold & Porter, said the administration wouldn’t move forward with any tariffs until the new year, sparing consumers during the crucial holiday shopping season.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Thank goodness that nothing would happen until January, because a lot of these things at least could be spared in the holiday shopping season and for related celebrations,” she said.

But she added that affected companies likely wouldn’t have much time.

“There’s less than a month to get comments in and then just a couple of weeks more to give public testimony or to rebut public testimony, and then tariffs could be implemented pretty much immediately,” Smith said.

“So there really isn’t much time for companies to change their supply chains or to renegotiate contracts. They would have to suck up price differences or pass on to consumers, or both.”

Many industry groups were quick to criticize the administration’s planned tariffs

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) told The Hill they oppose tariffs on European Union wine and spirits.

“These tariffs could impact consumers of French wine across all spectrums and price points,” said Michael Bilello, WSWA senior vice president of communications and marketing.

Bilello worried about the impact when the wine industry is already facing new challenges, noting that wine sales are currently down compared to spirits. And he worried that it could further discourage sales to millennials, “a group already choosing White Claw and various spirits over wine for various reasons, one being price.”

But some industry groups downplayed the tariffs on French products, which could provide a boost for U.S. competitors.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) said the U.S. imported $191 million in cheese from France in 2018, with these year’s numbers at the same level.

“Overall, Americans love cheese and consume more and more each year,” Matt Herrick, the IDFA’s senior vice president of executive and strategic communications, told The Hill.

But Herrick added that the vast majority of cheeses consumed in the U.S. are American-made and that the U.S. is the world’s largest exporter of cheese.

“This year’s World Cheese Awards in Italy awarded the top cheese in the world to an American brand—Rogue River Blue from Savencia Cheese USA. Europeans used to dominate these contests—no more,” Herrick said.

Smith acknowledged the tariffs could win over American consumers for some U.S. based-producers, but cautioned that companies had more to worry about if France retaliated.

“If American companies are then retaliated against by France for additional tariffs put on similar products of theirs, that is really going to hurt jobs here. And consumers are going to feel it,” she said.

The administration has defended its move, arguing that France’s tax on digital services is unfairly intended to target Silicon Valley.

“USTR’s decision today sends a clear signal that the United States will take action against digital tax regimes that discriminate or otherwise impose undue burdens on U.S. companies,” U.S. Trade Representative Robert LighthizerRobert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerPelosi casts doubt on USMCA deal in 2019 Pelosi sounds hopeful on new NAFTA deal despite tensions with White House On The Money: Economy adds 164K jobs in July | Trump signs two-year budget deal, but border showdown looms | US, EU strike deal on beef exports MORE said Monday in announcing the move.

The U.S. tech industry has also pushed back on the digital tax, and the issue is one of the few that has seen them allied with Trump. Tech companies arguing that regional or country-by-country taxes will result in double or triple taxation for their services.

“The tech companies you’re talking about, they’re not my favorite people because they aren’t exactly for me, but that’s OK,” Trump said Tuesday at the NATO summit in London. “I don’t care. They’re American companies. And we want to tax American companies. … We want to tax them. That’s not for somebody else to tax.”

But France has defended its tax, arguing that tech giants who offer services in multiple countries need to be taxed more effectively. And France is not alone — other countries have imposed or are weighing digital taxes as international negotiators struggle to reach a global framework on how to tax tech companies.

The fight is likely to escalate. France on Tuesday threatened to retaliate, with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire calling the move “unacceptable.” The U.S. trade representative’s office is already preparing to open investigations into other countries that have similar tech industry taxes.

ADVERTISEMENT

The effects of Trump’s tariffs are nothing new to businesses, as the president has launched trade fights with both U.S. allies and economic adversaries.

Trump has already placed tariffs on European goods, including on French wine, Italian cheese and Scotch whisky, in retaliation for subsidies to Airbus.

Industry executives worried about the fallout from the French tariffs on broader trade talks.

“Although there are many more details to be learned about potential tariffs on French products entering the United States, additional tariffs will further strain the trade relationship between the United States and the EU, making it even more difficult for our countries to negotiate a free trade agreement,” Herrick said.

Click Here: State of Origin Jerseys

President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrumps light 97th annual National Christmas Tree Trump to hold campaign rally in Michigan ‘Don’t mess with Mama’: Pelosi’s daughter tweets support following press conference comments MORE on Thursday left the door open to the U.S. sending more troops to the Middle East to confront what Pentagon officials have described as a growing threat from Iran.

While hosting a White House luncheon with all of the permanent representatives to the U.N. Security Council, Trump was asked if more troops would be sent to the Middle East following reports that the administration was considering sending an additional 14,000.

“There might be a threat and if there is a threat, it will be met very strongly. But we’ll be announcing whatever we may be doing — may or may not be doing,” Trump replied.

ADVERTISEMENT

Earlier on Thursday, a top Pentagon official said that the Trump administration could deploy more U.S. troops to the region to counter Tehran.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, undersecretary of Defense for Policy John Rood called a Wall Street Journal report that the administration was mulling another 14,000 troops “erroneous.”

But when pressed by Sens. Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnOvernight Defense: Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East | Putin offers immediate extension of key nuclear treaty Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East Pentagon official: ‘Possible’ more US troops could be deployed to Middle East MORE (R-Tenn.) and Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyOvernight Defense: Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East | Putin offers immediate extension of key nuclear treaty Trade deal talks expand as Congress debates tech legal shield Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East MORE (R-Mo.) on whether a deployment is under consideration, Rood said that “we are evaluating the threat situation and the secretary if he chooses to can make decisions to deploy additional forces based on what he’s observing there.”

“Based on what we’re seeing and our concerns about the threat picture, it is possible that we would need to adjust our force posture,” said Rood, the Pentagon’s No. 3 official. “And I think that would be a be prudent step depending on what we observe because our objective is to deter Iranian aggression, and deterrence is not static. It’s a very dynamic activity.”

Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement later on Thursday that the Defense Department is “constantly evaluating the threat situation around the world and considering our options. We adjust our force posture and troop levels based on adversary action and the dynamic security situation.”

ADVERTISEMENT

She added that Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperOvernight Defense: Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East | Putin offers immediate extension of key nuclear treaty Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East Pentagon official: ‘Possible’ more US troops could be deployed to Middle East MORE spoke to Senate Armed Services Chairman James InhofeJames (Jim) Mountain InhofeOvernight Defense: Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East | Putin offers immediate extension of key nuclear treaty Trump leaves door open to possible troop increase in Middle East Pentagon official: ‘Possible’ more US troops could be deployed to Middle East MORE (R-Okla.) on Thursday morning “and reaffirmed that we are not considering sending 14,000 additional troops to the Middle East at this time.”

Sending that many additional troops would double the number of U.S. forces sent to the region since May in the face of what officials have described as heightening threats from Iran, including the downing of a U.S. drone in June.

Rood told reporters on Wednesday that there were indications that Iran may soon attack U.S. forces or interests in the Middle East.

“We do remain concerned about potential Iranian aggression,” Rood said.

“We also continue to see indications … potential Iranian aggression could occur.”

The United States has also blamed Iran for attacks over the summer on oil tankers in the Gulf, as well as an attack on two Saudi Arabian oil facilities. Iran has denied they were involved. 

Now that it’s cold in Belgium, I’ve been looking at a few new Winter accessories to keep me warm. Perhaps you’d like to browse with me:

• From a faux fur casual bucket hat to a paisley-appliqué felted wool beret, here are 16 stylish Winter hats.
• Popsugar rounds up 25 Banana Republic accessories to keep you warm all Winter.
• Fashionista found us 33 more Winter accessories that will help us bundle up in style.
• In the market for new gloves? Then have a look at these 16 pairs.
• Fleece-lined leggings can come in very handy too. These are 11 of the best pairs according to The Cut.
• Cosy beanies anyone? The Kate Spade ombré pom-pom beanie in this collection makes me smile.

Fab Links from Our Members

Elizabeth P found us a different take on having fun with fashion. This photographer got some shots that are very, very clever!

Shevia thought this was fun: “Luxury hoodies and unmissable bottoms: 10 looks that defined the decade.”

Nuancedream can remember a time when transparent frame eyeglasses were truly unfashionable. After reading this blog post, she’s considering getting a pair in 2020.

Runcarla wanted to share this interesting article about the history and (possible) future of the bra.

She also enjoyed this quirky article about body/breast appreciation ‘at a certain age’.

Aquamarine directs us to “The Environmental Cost of Fashion“, and “‘The Best Thing You Can Do Is Not Buy More Stuff,’ Says ‘Secondhand Expert‘.’

I’ve been doing holiday party shopping with clients recently, across a range of price points and dress codes, and here are some of the winners. Some casual, some formal, and lots in-between. I’m enjoying the less severe and more playful approach to holiday dressing these days. There is a lot more emphasis on comfort and warmth, instead of the plethora of skimpy sleeveless dresses we’re used to seeing at this time of year. Do festive YOUR way. Some items come in petite and plus, and often there’s more than one colourway. Let the festivities begin.

• Calvin Klein Burnout Surplice A-Line Dress: If you like boho dresses and V-necks, try this frock and especially if you’re tall. The fabric is lovely and the drape even better. Elegant and comfy, and works on a range of body types.
• Calvin Klein Plus Size Floral-Print Velvet Dress: A pretty and warm festive dress that has worked on a range of body types if you don’t mind the high neckline. Better on a regular and smaller bust. Comes in regular and petites.
• Taylor Dresses Pleated Double Tiered Dress: VERY fun dress that looks better in person. It’s flattering, and has worked well on most. It’s SUPER cute layered with the gold metallic blazer from INC below. Size down.
• Alfani Shimmer Eyelash Pencil Skirt, Created For Macy’s: A texture-rich eyelash skirt is fun to wear with an untucked welted sweater. It’s soft, stretchy and comfy. Size down.
• DKNY Metallic Ruffle-Sleeve Sweater: This sweater looks better in person, and is best in the dark colours. Dramatic, dressy, yet warm and cozy. Fab over a skirt because of the structured welt. Size down.
• DKNY Flocked-Mesh Midi Skirt: A tulle skirt that lies quite flat against the body and is not overwhelming. Great length, very comfy, and looks fab with a short welted sweater. Size down.
• Anne Klein Anne KleinFabulist: Moderately comfortable if you can manage the heel height. The leather and metallic are softer than the satin versions. Not good on high volume feet. DAZZLING on the feet in the silver. Many colours.
• Whistles Carlotta Big Cat Print Long Sleeve Blouson Dress: GORGEOUS dress that works well on a smaller frame because the fit is on the narrow side. Beautifully made and fab in motion.
• INC International Concepts INC Metallic Blazer, Created For Macy’s: Best metallic blazer of the year for the price. Works well on a broad shoulder line and a larger or smaller bust. Runs a size big.
• Lauren Ralph Lauren Print Georgette Dress: A chic and understated dress that has worked well on a broader shoulder and larger bust with a defined waist.
• L.K.Bennett Vera Navy Bow Neck Sparkle Jersey Top: If you like comfort and bow blouses – try this. It’s soft because it’s jersey knit, but looks as crisp as a woven. Best tucked or semi-tucked.
• L.K.Bennett Ruby Red Faux Fur Short Coat: Impeccable quality and an extra rich shade of red. Beautifully luxe, and stunning with dresses and skirts. Might run a size big.
• Drama Fringe Pant: I haven’t seen these pants in person yet, but will somebody please buy them and rock them! The most fun fringe pants of the year.
• Reiss Keira Teal Silk Blend Top – REISS: A great dressy top for broad shoulders and looks as good untucked. Comes in caramel.
• Reiss Steph Dark Green Metallic Twist Front Jumper – REISS: A handy dressy pullover to wear over a skirt or high rise pants/jeans. Crisp, luxe and dainty. Fluid, yet structured. It poufs a bit from the side view, but not overly so.
• Reiss Harper Grey Cashmere Blend Drape Shoulder Top – REISS: Alluring Cashmere Sweater Fabness. It’s long so click through the link to see the length and toffee colourway. Luxe, different, and would be mine if I didn’t run so cold.
• Tory Burch Velvet Devore Dot Embroidered Top: An extremely pretty top that looks best tucked or semi-tucked and on a longer neck. Gorgeous quality. It would be mine if it was navy.
• J.Crew Slim stretch perfect shirt in Black Watch tartan: A repeat top pick that deserves another mention. I have a similar one from years ago, and it’s great if you enjoy wearing button-down shirts. Classic, clean and versatile. I wear mine with white jeans.
• Talbots Velveteen Straight Leg Pants – Gingham: Velvet Gingham Fabness. They come in petite, regular and plus across straight and curvy fits. Full length on most. Lovely fabric.
• Calvin Klein Burnout Velvet Animal-Print Wrap Dress: Every client who has tried on this dress so far has loved it WHEN they like to wear a V-neck. From sizes 0P to 12, and many sizes in-between. They all flirted around in the dressing room marveling at how flattering the dress is. It’s magically structured, yet forgiving due to a great fit and luxe fabric. Great length, no need for shapewear, super duper drape. and very comfy. Covered yet alluring. Comes in petite and plus. Do not underestimate the power of a no-nonsense modern classic!
• INC International Concepts INC Beline Bow Sneakers, Created for Macy’s: Mega Sneaker Bling Fabness. I smiled and smiled when I saw these. STINKING cute and comfy. Fun black graphic stripe at the back. Works on lower and higher volume feet. They are mine, but I had to insert lots of insoles and heel grips to make them fit my low volume feet.
• Ash ASHVirgin: Wearing metallic sneakers counts as festive! These work on lower and higher volume feet. Lower volume can add a cushioning insole. YES, they have zippers.
• Eileen Fisher Asymmetrical Hem Velvet Long Sleeve T-Shirt Dress: An architectural dress with lots of drape. It’s beyond body type, and can work on most. Might run a size big and comes in three colours. Fun over skinny jeans or cigarette pants too. Or throw in some festive hosiery.
• COURT & ROWE Sequin Cheers Sweater: A cute way to say “bottoms up” from afar, and spread good cheer. Worked as well untucked over bottoms.
• Loulou Ear Crawlers: Glitzy and hard edged crawler fabness. Comes in three metals.
• Jeffrey Campbell Luci Embellished Bow Bootie: These are a repeat top pick that are VERY fun on the foot if your feet aren’t too fussy. They come in loafer form too. It’s one way to add bling to an all black outfit. Not good on high volume feet.
• BaubleBar ‘Kew’ Crystal Collar Necklace: Fun Bauble Fabness to pile onto anything from a tee and pullover, to a dress, or the inside of an open neckline.
• ETTIKA Set of 3 Crystal Hair Clips: These look gorgeous in thick hair because they are quite bulky. Wear them instead of statement earrings.
• Vince Camuto Faux Wrap Sparkle Jersey Top: A comfy, versatile and festive top that has modern classic appeal. The gathering on the shoulder seams give the front a nice bit of visual appeal. Works on an assortment of body types.
• Halogen Velvet Faux Wrap Dress: A classic that does not require shape wear because it’s forgiving yet structured. Excellent on a curvy figure and bless the length. Dressy yet easy and comfy.
• ETTIKA 2-Pack Crystal Hair Clips: These look festive in all sorts of hair colour and are well made. If you wear your hair in a ponytail – add these to the mix on one side. They work well on fine hair, and aren’t too bulky.
• Topshop Bonded Velvet Jacket: A GORGEOUS colour in crushed velvet, and very unique. Super cute worn buttoned and unbuttoned. Fun over a dress too. Does not run small. Rave reviews for good reason.
• Eliza J Faux Fur Crop Jacket: Fab bolero style jacket to top a sleeveless dress that you can keep on as part of the look. Gorgeous shade of blue.
• Boden Sackville West Floral Velvet Blazer: An impeccable patterned velvet blazer with a nod to Spring. Not good on a broad shoulder line because of the lack of stretch, but great on most. Unique and playful.
• L’AGENCE Velvet Blazer: A trendy classic forest green velvet blazer is a rare find. The cut is classic but the longer length is on trend. Luxe and beautiful. Dress it up or down. Read the rave reviews.
• Boden Adelaide Jewelled Flats: Extremely pretty on the foot if you can wear pointy toe flats. Crisp and polished, but not that soft. Do not try these if you need cushioning shoes. Moderately comfortable.
• Boden Mabel Sweater: GORGEOUS metallic bronze sweater, which is unique. Dainty, refined, and will keep you warm on a dressier occasion. Very fluid fit. Fab for the holidays – but by all means wear it casually too. Works as well on broad shoulders as it does on narrower shoulders. Comes in three solids and a stripe.
• Boden Ellie Velvet Wrap Top: Super cute dressy yet very cosy velvet wrap top with a subtle puffy sleeve. Beautifully tailored, and quite forgiving on the midsection. Excellent on those who wear V-necks well.
• Boden Festive Fair Isle Sweater: If you’re into very casual and cozy holiday knitwear, this one is super cute in both colours. Might run a size big.
• Banana Republic Modern Sloan Skinny-Fit Velvet Pant: If you like to wear sleek velvet pants with stretch and have a straighter bottom half – try these. I prefer the roomier fit of Boden’s velvet pants for my own style, but several clients liked the Sloans, which also come in longs for tall gals.
• DKNY Pleated Velvet Pull-On Skirt: Gorgeous teal pleated VELVET skirt that is soft, twirly, and flattering because the pleats lie quite flat against the body. Comes in silver and might run a little big.
• Charter Club Dog-Print Crewneck Sweater, Created For Macy’s: For Team Scottie Dog, and comes in grey with pink accents too. Might run a little small.
• INC International Concepts INC Women’s Gannie Mules, Created for Macy’s: Super cute on the foot when you don’t have fussy feet because they are NOT soft and cushioning. They are nicely made and a steal at the price.
• INC International Concepts INC Embellished-Stripe Skinny Jeans, Created for Macy’s: If you like casual skinnies and glam shine – try these. They work well on a curvier and straighter body type because they mould to the body.

Go to the collection page if you would like to see the images alongside my descriptions.

The mercurial Argentine has collected the sixth Ballon d’Or of his remarkable career and hopes to have “many more years” before hanging up his boots

Lionel Messi has admitted on the back of his sixth Ballon d’Or triumph that “retirement is approaching”, but the Argentine hopes to enjoy “many more years” at the top and says Barcelona have nothing to worry about when it comes to his future.

That will comes as a relief to those at Camp Nou, with it having already been revealed that an all-time great has an exit clause in his current contract.

There has been no suggestion that it will be triggered, with Messi continuing to be a talismanic presence for the reigning La Liga champions.

His efforts have once again seen him recognised as the finest player on the planet, with the 32-year-old now boasting one more Golden Ball than eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo, and there has been no sign of him slowing down.

Messi is, however, aware that he is closer to the end of his career than the start, with there an acceptance that the day will come when he is forced to hang up his boots and bring an iconic era in modern football to a close.

He told reporters at a star-studded Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris: “I’m aware of how old I am.

“And I enjoy these moments so much because I know that retirement is approaching. Time flies.”

Messi was quick to counter those comments by reiterating that he has no plans to walk away from football any time soon.

He added: “I hope, God willing, that I keep playing for many more year.

“I’m now 32, though, and will be 33 at the end of the season, so, as I said, everything depends on how I feel physically.

“Right now I feel better than ever on a physical and a personal level, and I hope I can go on for a lot longer.”

Barcelona will be desperate to see a man who has recorded 614 goals in 733 appearances for the club play on for several more seasons, with Messi seeking to calm any fears regarding his contract and the small print which would allow him to leave Catalunya at the end of the season.

He said when quizzed on that situation: “Barca know me and know there’s no type of problem with these issues.

“[My commitment] goes beyond a contract. What I feel for this club is [worth] more than any signature on a piece of paper, so there’s no issue.”

Click Here: essendon bombers guernsey 2019

4 ans après “Les Garçons et Guillaume, à table !”, Guillaume Gallienne revient ce mercredi avec “Maryline”, porté par Adeline d’Hermy de la Comédie Française. Un drame librement inspiré d’une histoire vraie qui a bouleversé Guillaume Gallienne.

AlloCiné : Après Les Garçons et Guillaume, à table, il ne s’agit plus d’un film autobiographique, mais vous vous intéressez à quelqu’un dont vous avez croisé la route…

Guillaume Gallienne, scénariste et réalisateur : Maryline est une histoire qui m’a été inspirée. Mais l’écriture fait que je n’ai pas cherché à faire un documentaire sur cette femme qui m’a inspiré cette histoire. Son histoire m’a bouleversée il y a 15 ans. C’est une femme modeste et humble, et elle n’a pas les mots pour se défendre. C’est quelque chose qui m’a toujours touché.

J’ai eu la chance qu’on m’ait donné l’aisance du verbe, presque trop d’ailleurs ! Mais il y a beaucoup de gens qui n’ont pas les mots pour se défendre. A chaque fois, je suis interpellé par la violence que, eux, peuvent ressentir, et la violence que ça peut provoquer chez les autres : le mystère, l’inconnu, l’incompréhension. Ça donne soit de la violence, soit de la bienveillance. Le film raconte ça aussi. Comment tout d’un coup on a de l’empathie pour quelqu’un, ça ne s’explique pas. C’est comme le désir. C’est assez inexplicable et je trouve ça beau ce mystère là.

Comment, tout d’un coup, on a de l’empathie pour quelqu’un, ça ne s’explique pas

Mais j’ai vraiment fait l’effort de ne pas expliquer les choses, juste de créer des contextes, un peu comme des tableaux qui se succèdent, avec ce lien qu’est Maryline. Pour cela, il me fallait une actrice comme Adeline d’Hermy. Je savais qu’elle pouvait être ce lien. Car le danger d’une chronique est justement de n’être qu’une succession d’étapes. Il faut viser le drame. Je savais qu’Adeline pouvait porter le drame, l’incarner tout le long du film et ne jamais lâcher le spectateur. Je le voyais déjà sur les planches à la Comédie française, elle s’inscrit toujours dans l’oeuvre. (…) Elle est assez impressionnante.

Guillaume Gallienne nous présente Maryline, son nouveau long métrage

Guillaume Gallienne nous présente Maryline, son nouveau long métrage

 

Pouvez-vous nous parler de votre collaboration avec Guillaume Gallienne ?

Click Here: Rugby league Jerseys

Adeline d’Hermy, comédienne : Avec Guillaume, on s’est rencontrés à la Comédie française, où nous sommes tous les deux comédiens. On a travaillé ensemble il y a peut être 6 ans sur une pièce d’Alain Françon, la trilogie de la villégiature. Mais nos personnages ne se parlaient pas beaucoup. Ensuite, on a travaillé plusieurs fois au cinéma. Guillaume avait réalisé un film pour la télé, dans lequel je jouais, Oblomov.

Guillaume Gallienne est comme un parrain

On avait déjà une connaissance l’un de l’autre et une reconnaissance très forte, ce qui a permis de commencer ce tournage de manière plus détendue parce qu’on ne se découvrait pas. Et puis, juste avant de tourner, on a travaillé ensemble sur les Damnés à Avignon, au Palais des papes. On s’est vraiment soudés à ce moment. C’est quelqu’un pour moi qui est comme un parrain. 

Maryline : une scène hommage à Jeanne Moreau

Maryline : une scène hommage à Jeanne Moreau

 

A l’occasion de la sortie de “La Lune de Jupiter ce mercredi, AlloCiné a rencontré le réalisateur hongrois Kornél Mundruczó, également auteur de “White God”, présenté au Festival de Cannes en 2014.

Présenté en compétition du 70ème festival de Cannes, La Lune de Jupiter est le nouveau long métrage de Kornél Mundruczó. Le cinéaste hongrois présentait pour la troisième fois un film en compétition après Delta en 2008 et Un garçon fragile – le projet Frankenstein (2010).

La Lune de Jupiter est l’histoire d’un jeune migrant découvrant qu’il a maintenant le pouvoir de léviter. Jeté dans un camp de réfugiés, il s’en échappe avec l’aide du Dr Stern qui nourrit le projet d’exploiter son extraordinaire secret. Les deux hommes prennent la fuite en quête d’argent et de sécurité, poursuivis par le directeur du camp.

 

AlloCiné : Vous avez déclaré en conférence de presse que le développement du scénario de ce film avait pris beaucoup de temps, pourquoi cela ?

Kornél Mundruczó : la première version du scénario date d’avant White God [2014, NdlR] et était destinée à être en anglais. L’histoire était celle d’un gamin pouvant léviter et sa relation avec un contrebandier. Mais le film n’a pas été financé, en grande partie parce que personne croyait à un héros volant qui ne soit pas Superman ! C’était avant Birdman (…). Puis j’ai fait White God, qui était un peu influencé par le scénario de ce Flying Man, et mixait déjà les genres. Nous avons réécrit Flying Man en replaçant le film en Hongrie avec ce médecin et ce réfugié, avant la crise. Puis la crise est arrivée (rires) ! Nous avons alors dû couper l’introduction du film, qui disait “dans un futur proche”, mais le futur était devenu le présent.

Dans votre film, les pouvoirs du réfugié sont utilisés par un docteur véreux pour gagner de l’argent. Etait-ce une façon de dire que les gens exploitent les migrants ?

Cela arrive, j’en suis persuadé. Tous les partis ont été très cyniques quant à cette question. (…) C’est un problème complexe et un peu fou. Comme toutes les crises, celle-ci entraine son lot de contradictions mais aussi d’espoir. (…)

Dans “La Lune de Jupiter”, vous utilisez beaucoup la caméra embarquée, était-ce pour ajouter de l’immersion, du réalisme ?

Oui, c’était capital. C’est un film fantastique, teinté de science-fiction et de thriller. C’est aussi un drame social très profond. Ces scènes en plans séquences n’étaient pas improvisées, plutôt chorégraphiées.

J’avais prévu une question pour plus tard à ce propos, car vous avez aussi de longs plans séquences, et je comptais vous demander si elles étaient beaucoup répétées…

Chorégraphiées, plutôt. Les dialogues étaient très écrits, ce qui laissait peu de place aux acteurs pour changer les choses. Car chaque petit détail doit coïncider avec les autres, comme une polyphonie. Mais chaque prise était très différente malgré tout, ce qui fut un problème important pour nous par la suite. (…)

Vous avez parlé de mélange des genres toute à l’heure, et comme dans “White God”, vous avez fait la part belle au fantastique. Est-ce que ce genre vous permet de créer de nouvelles histoires et une nouvelle manière de filmer ?

Je crois que oui. Cela ajoute du sensationnel. (…) Avoir un dieu parmi les humains ou un réfugié pouvant voler dans notre film est irrationnel, j’adore mixer les genres.

Vous êtes aussi un metteur en scène de théâtre, est-ce que cela influence aujourd’hui votre façon de composer les cadres de vos films ?

A l’origine, c’était l’inverse. J’étais un metteur en scène qui créait des pièces avec un oeil de réalisateur, impérialiste et d’un style très filmique. Et à mesure que le théâtre est devenu plus important pour moi, me permettant de faire des choses plus folles, j’ai commencé à mettre de ça dans mes films. Le théâtre m’incite donc à prendre des risques et à tenter davantage de choses au cinéma. (…) Par exemple, lorsque j’ai vu mon premier Fassbinder, Le bouc, je n’avais jamais rien vu de pareil ! Je me souviens encore très bien de ce que j’ai ressenti.(…)

Vous avez trois acteurs principaux dans ce film. Comment les avez-vous dirigés et avez-vous la même technique pour diriger un comédien de théâtre et un acteur de cinéma ?

Non, j’ai une technique très différente, car la distance est très différente. Au cinéma, vous êtes très proche, donc vous êtes dans le réalisme et l’émotion. Ce n’est pas le cas au théâtre, où vous êtes loin et où l’on est davantage dans la stylisation. (…)

Lorsqu’Aryan vole, la caméra tourne lentement autour de lui, et ce pouvoir se manifeste d’une façon très différente de celle des pouvoirs d’un personnage de films de super-héros, très lente. Pourquoi ?

Nous voulions représenter un vrai miracle. Quelque chose jamais vu auparavant et qui soit crédible. Voilà pourquoi nous n’avons pas coupé [et tourner les vols en plans séquences], et c’est bien plus lent. Et cela se produit réellement, nous n’avons pas utilisé d’effets spéciaux. Parce que [le moment où le héros s’envole] est un moment transcendental, celui où vous pouvez vous détendre, vous élever au-dessus du chaos.

Vous avez plusieurs séquences hallucinantes dans le film, dont celle où la chambre d’un néo-nazi est mise littéralement sens dessus dessous par Aryan. Comment l’avez-vous tournée ?

L’idée est venue du chef décorateur : comment punir ce nazi ? Il a donc proposé de faire tourner une salle complète. Nous l’avons donc construite avec beaucoup d’accessoires, un moteur pour faire bouger le tout, et sans effets spéciaux. Nous avons ensuite utilisé des grues : une pour Aryan, une pour la caméra, et la perspective fonctionne.

Vous ajoutez à ces moments de mise en scène une réflexion théologique via le personnage de Stern, qui se demande si ce réfugié est un dieu. Pourquoi avoir fait le choix de ne pas répondre à cette question ?

J’aime entrainer le public dans une réflexion et le laisser seul chercher les réponses. Y a-t-il une possibilité pour un être humain de s’échapper ? Et le personnage du docteur Stern va avoir cette possibilité, tandis que tout le monde voit Aryan voler et s’échapper, lui aussi. Doit-on y voir un signe ?

  

Découvrez la bande-annonce de “La Lune de Jupiter” :

La Lune de Jupiter Bande-annonce VO

 

 

 

Click Here: United Kingdom Rugby Jerseys