Spain proposes 100% tax on homes bought by non-EU residents

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Pedro Sánchez announces measure in response to anger over rising housing costs

Spain has announced plans to impose a tax of up to 100% on real estate bought by non-residents from countries outside the EU, such as the UK, in an aim to tackle the country’s housing crisis.

The measure was one of a dozen unveiled on Monday by the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as the government seeks to quell mounting anger over housing costs that have soared far beyond the reach of many in Spain.

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Surrey councillors ask ministers to ‘write off’ Woking’s £1bn debt

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Taxpayers asked to shoulder burden as beleaguered council expected to merge with neighbouring authorities

Taxpayers are being asked to shoulder £1bn in debt amassed by a bankrupt Surrey council that will be merged in the government’s plan for the biggest transfer of powers to England’s regions this century.

Posing a fresh financial headache for the government, councillors in Surrey have requested that ministers “write off” £1bn in debt held by troubled Woking borough council to enable a merger between the county’s 12 local authorities.

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Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern Gaza, IDF says – The Times of Israel

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  1. Five soldiers killed, 10 wounded in explosion in northern Gaza, IDF says  The Times of Israel
  2. What Are Israelis and Gazans Dying For? A Pointless War With No Goals  Haaretz
  3. Soldiers killed in Beit Hanoun may have been caused by IDF weapons explosion  The Jerusalem Post
  4. Four Israeli soldiers killed in northern Gaza  The New Arab
  5. IDF faces growing threat from IEDs in northern Gaza  Long War Journal
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North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect, Seoul’s spy agency says – PBS NewsHour

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  1. North Korean soldiers captured in Ukraine haven’t shown desire to defect, Seoul’s spy agency says  PBS NewsHour
  2. Troops Detained in Ukraine Give Rare Glimpse Into North Korea’s Military  The New York Times
  3. North Korean troops are far from ‘cannon fodder,’ Ukrainian soldiers say  POLITICO Europe
  4. Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready to trade captured North Koreans for Ukrainian prisoners  USA TODAY
  5. Zelensky ready to hand North Korea back its captured troops  The Washington Post
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Lebanon’s Aoun taps ICJ chief justice as prime minister, in blow to Hezbollah – The Times of Israel

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  1. Lebanon’s Aoun taps ICJ chief justice as prime minister, in blow to Hezbollah  The Times of Israel
  2. Lebanon Names Nawaf Salam, a Diplomat and Jurist, as Prime Minister  The New York Times
  3. Transcript: A power shift in Lebanon  Financial Times
  4. Lebanon's Nawaf Salam to be designated PM, angering Hezbollah  Reuters
  5. Top ICJ judge Nawaf Salam named Lebanon’s next prime minister  CNN
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South Africa launches operation at illegal gold mine amid fears many dead

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Phone video shared by mining NGO appears to show dozens of wrapped bodies in underground tunnel

The South African government has launched a mission to bring to the surface potentially hundreds of people in an illegal mine who last year had supplies of food, water and medicine blocked by police in an attempt to force them out.

The government agreed to the attempt on Friday after the sister of one of those underground initiated a court case in response to letters from miners brought to the surface on Thursday.

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Dozens of oil tankers drop anchor after latest US sanctions bite – Reuters

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  1. Dozens of oil tankers drop anchor after latest US sanctions bite  Reuters
  2. Sanctioned Tankers Carrying Russia Oil Now Idling Off China  Bloomberg
  3. Tankers carrying Russian oil stuck idling off Chinese coast after new U.S. sanctions — Bloomberg  Meduza
  4. China refuses to let three sanctioned tankers carrying Russian oil dock in its ports  Новая газета. Европа
  5. Geopolitics and Sanctions: Tanker Market Navigating Turbulent Waters at the Start of 2025  Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide
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