Spain proposes 100% tax on non-EU homebuyers to tackle housing crisis
Spain, like many other countries, is in the throes of a housing crisis — but a new plan to tax foreign homebuyers could help solve that. The country is planning to impose a 100% tax on homes bought by those who are not from the European Union.
With foreign homebuyers and mass tourism seen as contributing to the problem in Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez proposed a package of measures, which includes taxes, aimed at alleviating a shortage of homes, high rents and rising house prices across the country on Monday, Jan. 13.
Sanchez said house prices in Europe have gone up 48% over the last decade — almost twice as much as household income — which he said risks dividing society into two classes: “rich owners and poor tenants.”
The measure includes 12 housing reforms. The package includes a plan to tax tourism apartments “like a business.” It also suggests a proposal to levy a 100% tax on the value of homes bought by non-EU residents, as well as tax relief to landlords offering affordable rent and more protection for existing tenants.
The prime minister also announced plans to build more public housing and launch a program to renovate empty homes to rent out at affordable prices.
Virgin Australia crew attacked in Fiji on New Year’s Day: Police
Fiji police are investigating separate incidents of theft and sexual assault involving two Virgin Australia crew members during a layover in the early hours of New Year’s Day, according to statements from Fiji authorities and the airline. The incidents occurred in Nadi, a popular tourist destination and home to Fiji’s main international airport.
Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said the two crew members were returning from a nightclub when the alleged theft and sexual assault took place. Virgin Australia confirmed it is aware of the incidents and sent personnel to provide support to the affected employees.
The Virgin Australia crew members are staying at a hotel commonly used by the airline for layovers and are expected to return to Australia after assisting local authorities with the investigation.
Tourism is a critical part of Fiji’s economy, with the country welcoming nearly 1 million visitors annually. Gavoka emphasized that incidents like these could happen anywhere, but urged tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.
The investigation follows recent reports of rising crime rates in Fiji. Police statistics from October 2024 showed a 6% increase in crime compared to 2023.
The country also faced other high-profile incidents involving foreign visitors. This included the hospitalization of seven tourists in December after they consumed cocktails at a resort bar. Authorities later ruled out poisoning by alcohol or illicit drugs, citing toxicology reports.
Millions of tourists expected to flock to largest ice and snow park in the world
Winter is in full swing, and while summer is typically the season for travel, China is expecting tourists to book a flight to see the largest ice and snow park in the world. The frozen wonderland is taking shape in Harbin, located in the country’s northeast province.
For 26 years, the winter attraction has drawn in millions with the help of towering ice sculptures illuminated with glowing neon lights. The “Big World of Ice and Snow” festival is the world’s largest ice and snow theme park, equipped with 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow.
Park officials expect people from all over the world and other parts of China to make the trek to the attraction.
Chinese officials said they’re preparing for half a billion visitors to the country during the snowy season.
In an attempt to draw in domestic and international guests, the Chinese government has increased flight routes and reduced travel restrictions.
Snow-covered ski resorts, parks and landscapes are keeping China’s economy booming. The government saw a 500% increase in revenue during last year’s winter season.
The country’s economy is expected to keep growing during the Ninth Asian Winter Games in 2025, a sports event that will bring athletes from around Asia to Harbin to compete.
Rome expects 30 million tourists for Holy Year, locals not happy with crowds
Celebrations are happening across Rome as the Catholic church kicks off its 2025 Jubilee. In anticipation of the massive crowds, many improvements have been made to the city’s infrastructure. However, not all locals welcome those tourists with open arms.
Pope Francis opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica Tuesday, Dec. 24, inaugurating the tradition that happens once every 25 years.
Members of the Catholic church make pilgrimages to Rome for the occasion, with organizers expecting up to 32 million tourists to pass through Rome during the Holy Year –– 10 million more than the previous record high.
While Jubilee brings a major tourism boost to the city, some Romans are concerned about the increased cost of living. Housing experts told The Washington Post that rent per square foot increased in October by 10% compared with the same month last year, a surge they attribute to Jubilee demand.
Overcrowding and construction disruptions are also top of mind for locals.
The national government funded $5 billion in projects to transform the city for the Holy Year, marking the city’s biggest facelift since the 1960 Olympic Games.
Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain reopened Sunday, Dec. 22, for Jubilee after months of cleaning and restoration. City officials recently floated the idea of charging visitors at the site to reduce crowds and promote “sustainable tourism.”
Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri told The Washington Post he understands residents’ complaints but emphasized that the celebration only happens once every 25 years.
“We cannot say ‘No, we don’t want it,” Gualtieri said. “Romans of course, are not happy because it’s inconvenient. But they are also happy … they know we are transforming the city.”
Local business owners also benefit from the influx of people since their livelihood often depends on tourism.
7 tourists, including American, sickened after drinking at Fiji resort
Nearly a month after six tourists died from drinking tainted alcohol in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos, a similar incident is unfolding in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji that left seven tourists hospitalized. While no official cause has been determined for their illness, all seven became sick after drinking cocktails at a resort bar.
“I want to begin by acknowledging the seriousness of what had occurred at the resort in the Coral Coast which affected seven guests who presented the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and neurological issues,” Viliame Gavoka, the deputy prime minister and minister for tourism, said.
Authorities in Fiji said the seven affected guests include an American and four Australians, all between the ages of 18 and 56. They reportedly fell ill after consuming alcoholic drinks at the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on Coral Coast near the town of Sigatoka Saturday night, Dec. 14.
Officials said it is too soon to know if the drinks were tainted, like in the Laos. In that case, an American man was among those killed.
“This incident is extremely an isolated one, affecting only seven guests at a specific bar within a very popular resort,” Gavoka said. “The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years, with a strong reputation, especially among our Australian visitors. They are obviously concerned for the welfare of their guests. We do not wish to speculate about the cause at this stage. We are awaiting the results of ongoing investigations and lab tests.”
In a Facebook post Monday, Dec. 16, Gavoka said two of the victims remain in stable condition at an intensive care unit. All others have been released.
Two of those include the daughter and granddaughter of Australian David Sandoe, who spoke to Sky News about getting the call from his daughter.
“We’re holding up okay, but it’s really, the focus is on our daughter and granddaughter,” Sandoe said. “But when you receive a phone call at 11 o’clock the other night and your daughter says that her daughter and herself have been poisoned and they were in hospital, it’s quite something else.”
A spokesperson for the Warwick resort said they are taking this matter very seriously and that officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation.
Australia’s Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory for Fiji on Monday, Dec. 16.
“Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,” the travel advisory said. “Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.”
As for Sandoe, he is just happy his loved ones are coming home and hopes the same for the rest of those impacted by the incident.
“All we’re concerned about at the moment is to make sure we get our loved ones home, and for those others who are not as fortunate as us to have them back today, then we’re still feeling for them because it is a horrific experience,” Sandoe told Sky News.
Fiji officials said results of toxicology reports should take three to four days to arrive.
Site of 1978 Jonestown massacre in Guyana to become tourist attraction
The scene of the largest mass murder-suicide in recent world history is becoming a tourist attraction, according to a report from NBC News on Thursday, Dec. 12. A South African tour group is turning the site of Jonestown in Guyana, where more than 900 adults and children died in 1978, into a travel destination.
The first tour group is reportedly ready to visit the site in January. The experience costs $650 and meant for small groups. Visitors will get an overnight experience to educate them on the lessons of the tragedy. The tour company’s owner says while tragic, Jonestown is an important part of the country’s history and has “global significance.”
With the help of the Guyanese government, Wanderlust Adventures will teach about “cult psychology, manipulation and abuse of power.” All while taking people to notable spots where the massacre unfolded.
Once a commune founded by American Rev. Jim Jones and hundreds of his followers, the living compound would later become home to the Jonestown Massacre. Jones ordered his followers to drink cyanide mixed with a flavored beverage.
A U.S. representative and two NBC News crew members died, while a congressional staffer sustained injuries that day. They were shot while attempting to board a plane after visiting the commune.
Despite the history, some in Guyana are reportedly uneasy about tourists visiting a site with such a dark past.
However, Wanderlust Adventures disagrees, noting that tourists from all over the world pay to see places like Chernobyl in Ukraine and Nazi concentration camps in Poland. The owner of the company adds, “it’s not to dwell on the tragedy” but rather to “understand the events” and make sure “histories are neither repeated nor forgotten.”
UNESCO gives sake special status as Japan seeks to expand global market
Sake has been associated with Japanese culture for centuries. UNESCO internationally recognized the smooth rice wine on its “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” list on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The special designation is something Japan has been hoping for. The Japanese government pursued the designation by UNESCO amid domestic issues such as declining consumption and a need for more skilled artisans in the craft of sake brewing.
Japan reportedly wanted to make the iconic rice-based alcoholic beverage more popular globally. Now may be the time to promote the cultural drink as tourists flock to Japan in record numbers spurred by post-pandemic travel.
The increase in travel has led to an overtourism problem. It has forced the country to move to protect cultural sites by charging visitors higher fees. Locals have complained about rude tourists. Tourists noted issues as well.
A recent survey revealed more than 30% of foreign visitors said they experienced problems linked to overtourism, and more than 60% of tourists acknowledged they would pay higher prices. The higher costs would help ease congestion and protect natural and cultural resources within the country.
Prepare for scholarly battle if you want to be a Gettysburg tour guide
The Civil War may long be over, but to become one of the nation’s select few Gettysburg tour guides the battle is still to come. On Saturday, Dec. 7, some of America’s top Civil War buffs will begin the arduous process of getting licensed to become an official tour guide at Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania with the written exam.
It’s just the first “tier” in a five-step process prospective guides must go through before they can take on tourists. After that, there’s a panel interview, the field practicum (a test of tour guide skills and knowledge), the oral exam and finally, the post-licensing orientation. Applicants need to pass every tier to become a licensed battlefield guide and the process for this round of recruits won’t wrap up until the spring of 2026.
At any given time, there are about 130 guides licensed to give historical tours at Gettysburg and they only open the process up when park officials decide they need more staff.
Holding such a prestigious position might make it worthwhile to some, but test takers pay to take the test. If a history buff makes it to the end of the testing process, their wages depend on how many guests show up on any given day. Not only that, guides are not considered employees of Gettysburg National Military Park, meaning they won’t get any benefits either.
Feel up to the challenge? The tour guide website has answers to many questions prospects may have about the test, as well as a long list of suggested reading to help potential guides study up.
China grants visa-free access to more countries to boost tourism
China is opening up visa-free access to more countries in an effort to kickstart its struggling economy through tourism. Beijing announced on Friday, Nov. 22, that it will expand the visa-free program to nine additional countries including Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia and Latvia.
China also announced it will be extending the possible length of stay from 15 days to 30 days for travelers from visa-free countries.
The new travel rules will go into effect on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Only three countries had visa-free privileges previously and that access was rescinded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Japan was one of the three countries with visa-free access before the COVID-19 pandemic and had repeatedly asked for an early waiver to restart the program.
The countries have sparred over issues ranging from Taiwanese sovereignty to the release of treated yet still radioactive water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Meanwhile, travel agencies are reportedly preparing for an influx of tourists as the end of the month approaches.
From July through September of this year, China reported more than 8 million foreigners entering the country, and of those, nearly 5 million were from visa-free countries.
With the latest expansion, 38 countries now have visa-free access since last year.
Trump picks Bondi after Gaetz withdrawal; Hegseth responds to police report
President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time replacing his embattled attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz with Pam Bondi. We’ve got the details of her background. And a volcano in Iceland, once dormant for 800 years, has erupted again — for the seventh time this year. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Nov. 22, 2024.
Trump picks Bondi after Gaetz withdrawal; Hegseth responds to police report
Bondi served as Florida’s first female attorney general from 2011 to 2019. A year later, she was one of the lawyers who defended Trump during his first impeachment trial where he was ultimately acquitted by the Senate. She also served on Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first term.
Bondi and Trump’s connection came under scrutiny in 2013 when she did not join a lawsuit against Trump in connection to fraud allegations toward Trump University. At the time, Trump’s foundation made a $25,000 donation to a campaign group backing Bondi. Both denied any impropriety.
The 59-year-old Bondi currently leads the legal arm of the conservative think tank America First Policy Institute, which worked with the Trump campaign to help shape policy for his upcoming administration. If confirmed by the Senate, she would oversee the Department of Justice.
In announcing his pick on his platform Truth Social, Trump said, “For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans – not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime, and making America safe again.”
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 21, 2024
Gaetz, who resigned from Congress shortly after Trump nominated him, released a statement earlier in the day saying his confirmation was “unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition.” He also called Trump’s nomination of Bondi a “stellar selection.”
The former Florida congressman had been the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, including accusations he had sex with a 17-year-old girl. He has denied any wrongdoing and the panel did not agree on Wednesday, Nov. 20, on whether to release its report.
Now attention is turning to Trump’s pick for defense secretary, war veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth. He met with Senators on Thursday as a newly released police report detailed allegations about an alleged sexual assault in 2017.
The report was released to media outlets in response to public records requests. No charges were filed in the case and Hegseth has said the encounter was consensual.
Hegseth spoke to reporters about the allegations Thursday.
“As far as the media is concerned, I’ll put it very simple: the matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared and that’s where I’m going to leave it,” he said.
Hegseth’s attorney said the allegations are false and Hegseth settled in 2020 only out of fear that he would lose his job at Fox News if the woman’s accusations became public.
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey concedes to Republican rival Dave McCormick
The Associated Press called the race in favor of McCormick two days after the election.
It was one of the closest races in the state’s history — so close, it triggered an automatic recount under state law. Despite Casey conceding, the recount is still going on and results are expected Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Senator Bob Casey dedicated his career to bettering our commonwealth. Dina and I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Casey, Terese, and their family for their decades of service, hard work, and personal sacrifice.
This is Pennsylvania’s fourth recount since 2004. None of the previous ones changed the outcome.
With McCormick’s victory, Republicans will control the U.S. Senate by a 53-47 margin, picking up four seats in the 2024 election.
Alabama carries out nation’s 3rd nitrogen gas execution
An Alabama prisoner became the third person in not just the state, but the U.S. to be executed with nitrogen gas Thursday night. Carey Grayson, 50, was one of four men convicted of murdering a female hitchhiker in 1994 when he was a teenager.
In a controversial move, Alabama began using nitrogen gas this year to carry out some executions. It entails the inmate inhaling pure nitrogen through a mask until he suffocates. Critics say it is inhumane and painful, but the state maintains the method is constitutional.
NFL issues security alert after homes of Mahomes, Kelce burglarized
The NFL has issued a warning for players after thieves burglarized the homes of two of its biggest stars in the league. Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their homes broken into within days of each other last month in the Kansas City metro area.
The NFL put out a security alert Thursday saying the criminals target players’ homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted.
NFL officials also recommended players avoid updating social media with check-ins or daily activities until the end of the day and refrain from posting expensive items on their accounts.
Volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupts for 7th time this year
In Iceland, a volcano has erupted for the seventh time just this year. This latest eruption happened late Wednesday night in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula.
Tourists had to be evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s most famous tourist attraction. Iceland’s official tourism site said this most recent event, which created a nearly two-mile fissure, was significantly smaller than the last eruption in August which opened a 2.5-mile fissure.
Experts said the volcano had been dormant for 800 years before it became active again in 2021. Since then, a total of 10 eruptions have happened, including this latest one.
Ohtani, Judge named MLB’s most valuable players
Baseball superstars Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge both had award-winning seasons, and now, both have been named MVPs of their respective leagues.
For the second straight year, both MVPs have won unanimously!
2023 and 2024 are the only two times that both MVPs were unanimous selections. pic.twitter.com/tkmu3IHmem
In a unanimous decision on Thursday, the Dodgers’ Ohtani, who became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in one season, claimed his third MVP title. It’s his first in the National League. He joins Hall of Famer Frank Thomas as the only two players to get MVP honors in both leagues.
Judge received his second American League MVP in the last three years.
The two culminated their MVP seasons by meeting in last month’s World Series, where Ohtani and the Dodgers walked away with the championship.