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Barcelona Doubles Tourism Tax to Fund Housing

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Barcelona has raised its tourism tax to one of the highest levels in Europe, doubling the levy on hotel guests from 5–7.5 euros to 10–15 euros per night starting in April. The move aims to curb tourist numbers and help finance affordable housing projects, with a quarter of the revenue earmarked for addressing the city’s housing crisis. Short-term holiday rentals will also see a tax increase, from 6.25 euros to a maximum of 12.5 euros per night.

The tax hike affects both hotels and cruise passengers, with a two-night stay at a four-star hotel now potentially adding 45.60 euros to costs. Barcelona, one of the world’s top convention destinations, will not exempt attendees from the levy. The city has also announced plans to ban all short-term rentals by 2028 to control the housing market and manage tourism pressure.

Hotel owners have voiced concerns that the steep tax increase could deter visitors and impact revenue, warning that it may backfire on the city’s lucrative tourism industry. Barcelona welcomes around 15.8 million tourists annually, making the potential economic impact of the tax significant.

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Five Young People Killed in Apartment Block Fire in Manlleu, Spain

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Five young people have died after a fire broke out in a storage area of a residential building in Manlleu, about 80km north of Barcelona. The blaze started shortly after 21:00 local time on Monday in a five-storey apartment block, according to Catalonia’s fire brigade. Four other people sustained minor injuries in the incident.

Authorities said the victims’ identities have not yet been officially confirmed, but local reports suggest they were all under 18, with one as young as 12. None of the deceased reportedly lived in the building. Firefighters are still investigating why the group was unable to escape from the upper-floor storage room, which is believed to have been informally used as a meeting place.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. The local council has declared three days of mourning and is offering support to affected families. Catalan President Salvador Illa expressed shock over the tragedy and extended his condolences to the victims’ relatives and friends.

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Spain Detects New African Swine Fever Cases Outside Barcelona Zone

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Spain has confirmed two new cases of African swine fever in wild boar outside the initial outbreak area near Barcelona, marking the first spread beyond the original containment zone. Regional authorities in Catalonia said the infections were detected near the western towns of El Papiol and Molins de Rei in the Barcelona metropolitan area, prompting tighter restrictions on the movement of people and livestock.

The initial outbreak occurred in the Collserola hills north of Barcelona — Spain’s first such incident since 1994 — and has so far not affected any pork farms. Catalan agriculture chief Oscar Ordeig said the spread southward was anticipated, noting that wild boar movement made containment challenging. Authorities emphasized that African swine fever does not pose a risk to humans but spreads rapidly among pigs and wild boar.

New measures include intensified disinfection protocols, systematic collection of boar carcasses, drone surveillance, and assessments of wild boar population density in affected areas. Spain, the European Union’s top pork producer, accounts for roughly a quarter of the bloc’s output, with annual exports valued at about 3.5 billion euros. Officials said the latest cases will primarily impact the two affected towns as containment efforts continue.

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Barcelona mayor vows to abolish holiday lets

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The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has announced plans to phase out short-term tourist rentals in the city within five years. He stated that no renewals will be granted for the 10,101 tourist licenses currently in place when they expire by November 2028. These apartments, commonly listed on platforms like Airbnb, will instead be reserved for local residents.

Collboni argued that this measure, equivalent to creating 10,000 new homes, aims to address skyrocketing rents, which have risen by 70% over the past decade, making housing unaffordable. Barcelona faces a housing shortage exacerbated by high tourism rates and its emergence as a tech hub, without sufficient new construction to meet demand, thereby inflating prices.

While some politicians and groups support the move as a way to alleviate housing pressure, others criticize it for infringing on property rights and argue that waiting until 2028 is too long for residents facing immediate displacement. Right-wing critics likened the policy to property expropriation seen in regimes like Venezuela’s, while tourist apartment associations claimed it would drive illegal rentals.

The debate reflects broader tensions in Spain over the impacts of mass tourism on local communities and housing affordability.

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Vinicius Jr: Racist abuse means Brazil winger feels ‘less like playing’

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Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr expressed feeling increasingly reluctant to continue playing football due to the persistent racist abuse he has endured. Despite facing ten reported incidents of racism in La Liga last season, the 23-year-old remains determined not to let racism drive him away from Real Madrid or Spain. Vinicius emphasized his commitment to staying in Spain to defy the racists and asserted that leaving would only serve their agenda. He acknowledged the difficulty of moving past the abuse and stated his dwindling enthusiasm for playing the sport.

Vinicius’s resolve to remain in Spain was reinforced as Brazil prepared to face Spain in an international friendly at the Santiago Bernabeu, coinciding with an anti-racism campaign titled ‘One skin’. Real Madrid recently filed a complaint against a referee for allegedly omitting racist abuse directed at Vinicius from his match report, though Osasuna denied such claims.

The winger has faced numerous instances of racism in recent seasons, including chants from Atletico Madrid fans and fines and stadium bans for offenders involved in racially motivated incidents. This season alone, reports of racist abuse have surfaced during matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, and Valencia.

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Vinicius Jr: Real Madrid file complaint after referee omits racist abuse allegations from report

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Real Madrid has lodged a formal complaint against the referee overseeing their recent match against Osasuna, alleging that he omitted instances of racist abuse directed at forward Vinicius Jr from his match report. The club asserts that the insults were intentionally disregarded by the referee, despite being brought to his attention by Real Madrid players during the game. Real Madrid condemns these incidents of racism and demands decisive action to address and eliminate such behavior.

The complaint is part of a broader effort by Real Madrid to combat racism in football. They have also reported alleged racist insults from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona fans, adding this latest incident to their existing complaint filed with Spanish legal authorities. These actions follow a pattern of racist abuse targeting Vinicius in recent seasons, including instances during matches and off the field, resulting in fines and stadium bans for offenders.

Vinicius Jr, who scored twice in the match against Osasuna, has unfortunately been subjected to racist abuse on multiple occasions, prompting Real Madrid to call for comprehensive measures to eradicate such behavior from the sport.

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Catalonia: State of emergency declared as region faces worst ever drought

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The Spanish region of Catalonia is grappling with its most severe drought on record, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. With reservoirs dwindling to just 16% of their capacity, over six million residents across 200 towns, including Barcelona, will be subject to stringent water usage restrictions. Measures include bans on car washing and filling swimming pools, as well as significant reductions in water consumption for agriculture and industry.

The severity of the drought is evident in towns like Berga, where residents like Anna Casòliva Freixe, who operates a bakery, express concerns about the lack of water for both essential needs and daily activities. Catalonia, bordering southern France, is unaccustomed to such conditions, and there are considerations to bring in water by ship to Barcelona if local sources run dry, a measure previously taken in 2008.

While the Catalan government had implemented a drought strategy in 2021 to diversify water sources and reduce reliance on reservoirs, the escalating crisis necessitated the imposition of emergency measures. The government acknowledges the possibility of the drought being linked to climate change, given the region’s vulnerability to dry spells and the Mediterranean’s temperature rising 20% faster than the global average.

In Barcelona, the impact of the drought is less immediately visible than in the surrounding mountains, but measures like turning off decorative fountains and restricting watering of gardens have been in effect for a year. As the region, including Barcelona, faces water shortages, concerns arise about its status as a top tourist destination. With over 12 million visitors in 2023, tourism authorities are adapting to the water scarcity by implementing measures in hotels and urging visitors to use water judiciously. Despite preparations, many Catalans express a sense that the situation may worsen, emphasizing the need for a collective reduction in water consumption.

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Xavi: Barcelona manager to leave at end of season

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Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of the season. The decision comes after a 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal, leaving Barcelona 10 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid. Despite winning the Spanish title in his first full season in charge, Xavi believes the club needs a change in dynamic for the benefit of both the players and the board of directors.

Xavi, a former Barcelona and Spain midfielder, has been a loyal figure for the club, but he feels it’s time to prioritize his mental health. The 44-year-old, who won 25 honors during his playing career at Barcelona, will officially leave on June 30, even though he has a year left on his contract. Xavi stated that the demanding nature of the club, combined with the pressure of the job, has taken a toll on him, and he believes it’s the right moment to step back.

The decision comes after Xavi had previously mentioned that he would “pack his bags” if his players lost faith in him. Despite a response with back-to-back wins, recent defeats in the Copa del Rey and La Liga have led to his departure announcement. Xavi hopes that by revealing his decision now, it will de-escalate tensions and provide a solution for the rest of the season.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague suggests that Xavi, being a true Barcelona fan and having won the league, may not manage any other team. Balague raises questions about Xavi’s readiness for the Barcelona job, as the club’s president, Joan Laporta, did not initially choose him. The loss of key personnel within the club and the lack of a defined playing style have contributed to the challenges faced by Xavi during his tenure. Balague concludes that Xavi will need to reflect on whether the conditions were right for him to succeed or if his own readiness for the role played a part in the challenges faced.

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European Super League: Uefa and Fifa rules banning breakaway league unlawful, says court

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The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that banning football clubs from joining a European Super League (ESL) was unlawful, asserting that UEFA and FIFA were “abusing a dominant position.” The case was brought by the ESL and its supporters, who argued that UEFA and FIFA were violating competition law by threatening sanctions against those participating in the breakaway league.

The ECJ, the highest court in the European Union, found against UEFA and FIFA, stating that this did not automatically approve a breakaway league. This decision is perceived as a setback to the authority of UEFA and FIFA in governing the game.

UEFA expressed confidence in the strength of its rules implemented since the ESL proposal, assuring compliance with relevant European laws. They trust that football’s existing structure will be protected against breakaway threats by European and national laws.

Barcelona, one of the original ESL clubs, sees the verdict as paving the way for a new competition. ESL backers A22 have released revised proposals, including a women’s European tournament with a league system involving promotion and relegation for both men’s and women’s competitions.

The initial ESL, designed as a midweek competition with 12 founding clubs, faced backlash for exclusive privileges and perceived greed, leading to widespread protests. The ECJ report emphasizes that FIFA and UEFA must ensure transparent, objective, non-discriminatory, and proportionate powers when new competitions potentially enter the market.

The report states that FIFA and UEFA, lacking such criteria, are abusing a dominant position, and their rules on approval, control, and sanctions are unjustified restrictions on the freedom to provide services. However, the ruling does not specifically address the approval of the Super League project.

Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22, claims the ESL has won the right to exist, asserting that UEFA’s monopoly is over, and clubs are now free from sanctions and able to determine their future. Real Madrid, still interested in the ESL, welcomed the ruling, stating that clubs are now the “masters of their own destiny.”

The ESL controversy began in April 2021, involving 12 teams, including English giants. Despite initial fines by UEFA, the plans collapsed within 72 hours due to widespread condemnation. Real Madrid and Barcelona remain interested in the ESL, while La Liga emphasizes the need for an open format in European football.

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Women’s Ballon d’Or: Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati wins award for first time

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Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, 25, clinched her first Women’s Ballon d’Or after a stellar year with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Her contributions led Barcelona to triumph in both the Spanish top flight and the Champions League, while she played a significant role in Spain’s World Cup victory. Additionally, she was honored as UEFA’s Player of the Year in August.

Among the nominees were several English players, with goalkeeper Mary Earps placing fifth, Rachel Daly at 10th, and Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway also in the running. Second place went to Chelsea and Australia’s Sam Kerr, while Barcelona and Spain’s Salma Paralluelo secured third place, and Fridolina Rolfo of Barcelona and Sweden finished fourth.

In her acceptance speech, Bonmati expressed her pride in winning the award, acknowledging the collective effort of her teammates and staff. She also commended her fellow nominees, emphasizing the responsibility of athletes as role models both on and off the field, advocating for a more inclusive and peaceful world.

Bonmati’s World Cup success with Spain was marred by controversy surrounding Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales, who was criticized for allegedly kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent after the final. During the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, Bonmati netted three goals, helping Spain secure victory against England in the final.

With four league titles and two Champions League titles under her belt, Bonmati continues to solidify her reputation as a key player for Barcelona. This year marked the fifth edition of the Women’s Ballon d’Or, with Bonmati’s teammate Alexia Putellas having won the prestigious award in the previous two years.

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