foreign

New Zealand is full of natural treasures. Now he has decided to charge foreign tourists who want to see them

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Mount cook (Aroaki) is one of the most emblematic places in Oceania, a mountain of something More than 3,700 m full -up New Zealand Alps and famous for its snowy peaks. The enclave is fascinating, as is the beach of Cathedral Cove, Milford Track or the Tongariro National Parkall natural treasures of New Zealand. If your government’s plans are ahead in not long foreigners must scratch their pocket to enjoy them. The reason? New Zealand wants to charge them a rate. Surprised friends. The announcement The country’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, and the Minister of Conservation, Tama Potaka: The Government wants to collect an extra rate to foreigners who visit some of the most popular protected spaces in New Zealand to help conserve them. “Tourists contribute to our economy and nobody wants that to change,” Recognize Luxon. “But many times I have heard from foreign friends his surprise to be able to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free.” The great icons. “The places that are special for New Zealand should be protected, so we will give more support to the DOC (Conservation Department) by introducing a position for foreign visitors to access the most crowded spaces “, Confirm The Prime Minister. At least the executive has in mind four of the most iconic spaces in the country: Cathedral Cove/te wahanganui-a-hei, Tongarino crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cookspaces where foreigners usually represent 80% of visits. A figure: € 20. The government not only handles a list of enclaves, it has also thought about a possible rate. In A statement Published this Saturday, the government slides that the “fair” is that foreigners who come to those “special places” pay an extra payment of between 20 and 40 Neozelands dollars per person, which translated into euros is equivalent to a fork of between 10 and 20 euros, more or less. “For the natural heritage that will involve revenues of up to 62 million dollars a year (almost 32 million euros) that will be reimited directly in those same areas, so that we can continue to invest in the places that support much of our tourism sector,” I claim Potaka. The idea is that the fee is paid only by foreigners, not the locals, who can continue to access without costs. “It is our collective heritage and the Kiwis They shouldn’t have to pay. “ Is anything else known? Yes. The newspaper The Guardian Slide That the rates are probably imposed from next year. Another of the keys to which the government is already spinning is how to differentiate foreign visitors from Neozylalands, although it does not seem that this will be a great challenge. “When you go to the Auckland Domain Museum, you have to show that you are from Auckland if you want a different price,” Remember Potaka. The same goes for the differentiated price of the routes. Foreigners pay a little more than the premises and there are different ways to demonstrate it, through passports, certificates, etc. “ Tourism slopes. The government’s decision comes after the Zealander economy Enter technical recession Last year, which has led the government to Search for formulas To stimulate growth. With that backdrop, tourism has revealed a valuable income route. During the last months the government has intensified your promotion, flexible The rules for the arrival of digital nomads and has made it easier for Chinese visitors. As of November, the country will test a visa exemption program for travelers with Chinese passport traveling from Australia with a valid Australian visa. “This will make it easier, cheaper and fast for them to cross the Sea of Tasmania and visit our coasts,” reason Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. The country closed 2024 with 3.3 million of foreign visitors. Are there more changes? Yes. New Zealand not only plans to charge an extra tax foreigners. In it release in which they announce that measure Luxon and Potaka advance their plans to modify the conservation law to facilitate “a new wave of concessions” in sectors such as tourism or agriculture. The reason? The Executive remember That a large part of the territory is protected by its historical, cultural and biodiversity value, and although there are already businesses in that space (shepherds or ski slopes, for example) it is not easy to assemble them. “To do so, a concession is needed, and the concession regime is totally broken. It often has been renewing it for years and leaves companies in a bureaucratic limbo.” The Executive speaks of “obsolete standards” and advances its intention to promote “more employment, growth and higher salaries.” The announcement has already earned you criticism of the environmental organization Forest & Bird. Images | Christian Michel (Flickr) and Bernard Spragg. NZ (Flickr) In Xataka | The north of Spain has been complaining about mass tourism for years. Asturias has discovered the bitter consequences of losing it

A neighbor from Zaragoza received a foreign card and did not hesitate to take advantage of it. The National Police soon found it

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A foreign card, a cap, some glasses and loose days of May were enough. A 58 -year -old man, a resident in Zaragoza, took advantage of the fact that a banking entity sent a card to his home – which was no longer that of the headline – and used it to make several extractions of money. In total, almost 6,000 euros in cash. But it was the head of the head that detected the movements and filed the complaint. The National Police soon acts. The card did not belong. The legitimate head resides abroad and was his brother, who still lives in Spain, who detected the strange positions in the account and filed the complaint with the National Police. What seemed a simple error in the shipment resulted in an investigation for improper appropriation. As explained by Rubén Nido, official spokesman for the body, In a video broadcast by La8 Zaragozathe agents began to follow the trail of the reimbursements. Five days, several extractions and an improvised costume. Between the eight and May 13, the man made several extractions at different ATMs of Zaragoza. He made it covered by a cap and with glasses to hinder his identification in security cameras. The costume was not enough. The images were key to binding ends and locating it. He was arrested in the immediate vicinity of his home, the same place where he had received the card days before. At this time it is known that he was brought to court and declared before the competent authority. It should be noted that the suspect already had a history of similar events. Now he has been released with charges while the process continues its course. What began with a simple postal error has ended, again, before a court. The Criminal Code is clear. According to Europa Presscurrent legislation contemplates this type of situations as a crime. Use a bank card to the detriment of its owner or a third can lead to a punishment between six months and three years in prison. What happened in Zaragoza is not an isolated case. In Zamora, a neighbor of Benavente was convicted after receiving a bizum of 20 euros by mistake and not return it, despite having been warned. The Provincial Court confirmed that its refusal also constituted undue appropriation. Result: mandatory return, fine of 180 euros and judicial costs. Images | Chiara Daneluzzi | Eduardo Soares | National Police In Xataka | The Meta Ray-Ban have turned anyone into spy for 329 euros. Barcelona’s detainee is only the first visible case

Japan has been charging a 0% tariff to foreign cars. You will not find one among the 50 best selling

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Japan is a fascinating country, of those that it costs to understand from the point of view of a western one. Perhaps because we ourselves have turned our backs on Asian culture during our years of teaching or because, simply, they have historical and cultural peculiarities that we are complicated to assimilate. What is certain is that the Japanese have entrenched the consumption of the local product. You have to keep in mind that Japanese society is deeply nationalistperhaps because it is surrounded by other countries where this feeling is also entrenched as China or the Koreas, which has caused continuous tensions in the area. After the Second World WarThe United States financed the recovery of Japan, with the clear objective of putting a geopolitical cap to communism that threatened from China and Korea. A movement that could have diluted this nationalist feeling. Little by little, the country was growing and in the 70s managed to diversify its industry and, at the same time, apply technical novelties that placed it at the world avant -garde in many sectors. Taking advantage of the weakness of the Yen against the dollar, they decided to put all their effort into export as much as possible of your products. Those exports flooded the world product economy. One of the most significant were cars. In its technical innovations, the country prioritized the efficiency of its engines, key to flooding the market when the oil crisis. In front of American and European cars, The Japanese were cheaper and more efficient. It was at that time that the industry shot completely and Japan decided to make a decision: he raised tariffs on foreign cars. Pass and see Something like that should have thought of Japanese politicians in 1978. With the aim of being more competitive in the face of foreign markets, the country raised all tariffs for those who wanted to import a car to their country. That is, any foreign brand could sell its cars in Japan without paying a single extra euro. In Japan they should not be afraid of what was going to happen. Its industry was so powerful and cultural factors so decisive that foreign vehicles have not finished cauling in the market. For proof, In 2016 the European Union lifted the 10% tariff with which he taxed Japanese cars. The 3% paid by Japanese manufacturers to produce in Europe but use Japanese pieces, but also raised Japanese. In return, the European Union found the open door to sell other products, such as cheese or wine. So, The European Union He came from buying 575,000 cars worth 9,000 million euros while we were barely sold 279,000 vehicles for a value of 7.3 billion euros, they collected in The world. From Auqí we can get two readings. The European Union, a specialist in the export of cars, had barely placed in the country Japanese 279,000 cars in a market in which Five million cars were almost sold that 2016. Of the 12 best -selling brands that year in the country, only one (Mercedes in tenth position) was foreign. And none of the 30 best -selling cars in the country was a foreigner. The cars that the European Union managed to place in Japan were high -price vehicles. The average unit cost Japan more than 26,000 euros while those bought by the European Union cost less than 16,000 euros. That is, it costed Europe (and much) to compete by volume. When Japan opened its doors to the world, it had to be aware of the country’s particularities. The hard emission and space standards have made the center cars of large cities disappear. From the 60s The Shako Shomeishhothe obligation to have a space to park the car to have the right to buy a car. In a country that is concentrated in cities, the limitation is decisive. In addition, the Japanese client fully trusts his companies and has trouble opening to new technologies. The host of the hybrid car in front of any other technology (and the Resistance of Japanese firms themselves The electric car attests to it) is a good example of this. To this we must add that, by price, the great generalists cannot compete since local vehicles are sold much cheaper taking advantage of a manufacturing within the country that is more competitive than beyond their borders. The value of YEN, lower than the dollar, the euro or the pound, allows them to obtain large amounts of money for the development and manufacture of a product that allows them to lower prices in their local market. On the contrary, foreign companies that have to sell there face A cut market For emission regulations, the space regulations barrier and that have the obligation to change the production of the car since when driving on the left they need to position the controls on the opposite side. An added cost that puts another lock. The result is that Europeans and Americans end up offering Japan cars that do not interest. In addition, in Japan the minivans, contained on the outside and of wide interior space are religion. A type of car that has disappeared in Europe while in Japan the Toyota feels, the Nissan Note and the Honda Freed occupied the squares of third, fourth and fifth best selling car In the country. And you can keep going down in the list of the 50 best -selling cars in Japan In 2024. You will not find one that is a foreigner. Photo | Toyota In Xataka | The problem of US cars in Europe is not tariffs: they are not interested in the least

Japan has encountered a problem with the aging of their growing foreign community: they cannot bury them

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Japan and their society have been immersed in a process of transformation where the role of “foreigner” every time It is more important. Waves arrive in the country, and in many cases to stay. The clearest example is giving with many Chinese who They arrive not to returnbut it is exponential to all nations. This is resulting in the population of advanced foreign residents is increasing, and with it, of deaths. A problem that nobody saw. I told this one Nikkei weekend. Foreign residents in Japan are dealing with serious difficulties in burying their loved ones. The reason? The Cremation predominancewhich has become the norm in the country. He 99.99% of the deceased In Japan they are cremated, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which leaves those who require burial for religious reasons or simply by tradition with very few options. The problem is especially critical for Muslim and Christian communitieswhich consider unacceptable cremation. The situation is aggravated as the foreign population ages and grows the demand for burial spaces, which has turned the issue into an increasingly urgent challenge for the nation. Examples of a crisis. In the medium report they had a case that occurred last January after the death of A Pakistani man in Kanagawa which unleashed a frantic search for a cemetery that allowed its burial. His family, with limited resources, could not repatriate his body, and after multiple rejections and high costs, they finally managed to bury him in the Cemetery Honojo Kodama in Saitama, for a amount of 300,000 yen (around 2,000 euros), paid by friends of the community. There are more similar cases that are repeated throughout the country. For example, that of a Korean Christian woman 80 years old who died in October, and his son took a month and a half to find a burial site. During that time, his body had to be stored in a police installation. Factors that hinder burials. There are several keys to understanding the controversy around the shortage of cemeteries that allow burials. The first one already said: the predominance of cremation. Japan has gone from burying their dead to incinerate them almost entirely in the last 50 years. In 1913, only 31% of the deceased were cremated, but by 1934 it had already become the majority practice due to health concerns and lack of space. But there is more. Another problem is derived from The scarcity of landsince the large amount of land necessary for cemeteries in a country with limited space is a key obstacle. Also the Environmental concernssince there is fear that burials contaminating groundwater (although there is no clear evidence that supports said statement). Finally, it points to the local community resistancesince in many regions residents oppose the construction of new cemeteries, which has frustrated several projects. The aging of the “foreigners” and the future impact. Japan currently houses 3.41 million foreign residentsof which 220,000 are 65 years or older, an increase of 150% in the last decade. The aging of this population implies that the demand for burials will only grow in the coming years. In this regard, Professor Hirofumi Tanada, an expert in the Muslim community in Japan, estimates that there are around 350,000 Muslims in the countryfacing problems similar to those of other religious minorities. Tanada warned that in 10 or 15 years could be even more difficult Find places of burial, which will intensify the crisis. Regional disparity in the availability of cemeteries. Another of the problems of the problem. Japan presents strong regional inequalities In access to cemeteries. Namely: while in the Kanto region (which includes Tokyo and its surroundings) there are four private cemeteries that allow burials, in regions such as Tohoku and Kyushu have none. Again: despite the growing need, the efforts to create new cemeteries have found obstacles. Last December, the governor of Miyagi proposed to build a cemetery in the region, but received an avalanche of calls and emails from Citizens expressing your opposition. The attempt of a Muslim cemetery. It happened in 2018when the Beppu Muslim Association in Oita Prefecture tried to build a cemetery in the town of Hiji. After seven years of negotiations, they finally agreed with local authorities and residents to build the cemetery in municipal land, with conditions such as the limitation of the use of the cemetery to residents of Kyushu and a regular monitoring of water quality. However, The project was canceled When a new mayor revoked the sale of the land, citing environmental concerns. This left the Muslim community without viable options in the region. Proposals and barriers for a solution. Professor Khan Muhammad Tahir Abbas, director of the Beppu Muslim Association, told that the lack of cemeteries not only affects foreigners, but also Naturalized Japanese and converts to Islam or Christianity. Since 2021, requests have been presented to the Ministry of Social Welfare requesting the creation of adequate cemeteries for religious minorities. However, to date, Japan has not adopted No clear policy about itarguing that differences in customs and beliefs make it difficult to implement a standard solution. Meanwhile, other countries have managed to integrate religious burials into their funeral infrastructure. In Norway, the United States, Canada or Singapore, among others, specific sections have been designated in public cemeteries for Muslims and other religious minorities. A challenge that the nation cannot ignore. With the Foreign resident figures In hand, Japan is facing a problem that cannot be ignored. The lack of accessible cemeteries For this group it is a challenge that will only be aggravated over time. Although the cremation remains the norm, the aging of the foreign community demands a more inclusive answer by the Japanese government. As They explained in Nikkeiif the nation wants to fulfill its objective of being a more diverse and cozy society, it should facilitate solutions that allow religious minorities to bury their dead with dignity. This requires overcoming the local opposition, adapting funeral policies and developing adequate infrastructure, as other nations with … Read more

After years with its closed borders, North Korea has opened to foreign tourism. The price: more than $ 600

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Very shy, limited and with restrictions, but North Korea begins to open to foreign tourism five years after have sealed its borders to protect yourself from the propagation of COVID-19. The hermetic nation led by Kim Jong-un is about to be somewhat less hermetic, both for travelers from China and Western. Of course, at least for the moment and despite the fact that the country is building His own ‘Benidorm’ In Wonsan, the tours will focus on a specific (and controlled) area: Rason. No visits to Pyongyang. Border closure. Five years ago, even in the initial bars of the Covid-19 Pandemia, North Korea took A radical decision: At the end of January 2020, the view of how the virus spread for the Chinese neighbor, the authorities decided to close foreign tourists. The measure made sense if one takes into account that in 2019, tens of thousands of travelers arrived from the Asian giant had visited North Korea. Some sources speak of 350,000. Others point out that the country received in total 300,000 tourists foreigners, of which 90% were Chinese. One (long) temporary measure. The idea was that the borders remained “temporarily” as “preventive measure against coronavirus.” Or so He announced it In January 2022 Young Pioneer Tours, an agency that was dedicated to organizing trips to the country of Kimg Jong-un. What was not clarified was what exactly “temporary” meant, an uncertain horizon that extended one, two, three … until five yearswhich is what has ended up lasting the closure. The government already made A first gesture In 2024, allowing Russian tourist delegations, which were already pointed out as The first foreign travelers who accessed the country from the pandemic; But now North Korean authorities have decided to go one step further. Coinciding almost with the fifth anniversary of the closing of the borders, the country has allowed The passage of several travel companies and a very small group of visitors. What exactly? The Straits Times Explain that at the beginning of February the North Korean authorities allowed the country of a select group of travel operators. Select and Very small. Experience served to tote the land for the really important date: tourism reopening February 20although the latter has also been done in a limited way. Among the operators who stepped on North Korean soil after years of border closure was the Australian Rowan Beard, of the Pioneer Tours agency, based in Beijing. His business was expected to take A dozen tourists To the country, a figure similar to the one that was handled by another of the selected operators, Koryo Tours, who when Corea’s apartment already had a group of 15 people eager to walk around the country. And who have visited it? After the first trip of recognition and “familiarization”, that of Beard, foreign tourists have arrived, including people from Singapore, Australia, Germany or Romania, according to Precise The country. Other media They holdthat among visitors there are also citizens of the United Kingdom and Jamaica. The CNN even assures That among the “pioneers” is an American, Justin Martell, who would have mocked the prohibition of his country after becoming a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis, a Caribbean nation. Looking at China. After A first approach To Russia, the nation of Kim Jong-un already looks at its great tourism market: China. Kyodo News agency I advanced A few days ago the country prepares to resume tourist trips of the Asian giant, which until the closing of borders moved a flow of tens of thousands of travelers a year. The perspective of knowing North Korea may be more or less appealing from countries such as Spain, where the government even advised The visitbut it has its market. Packages for $ 670. Beard remember that when his agency announced the trips the company’s email “saturated” consultations. And that the experience requires scratching the pocket: Young Pioneer Tours, one of the few authorized, offers a five -day and four night package for $ 670. Another option is to pay $ 720 With several nights in Yanji, China. “For many people it is a very mysterious country,” Beard comments: “Technically there is no Internet or is limited. So life there works in a similar way to what we had in the 1980s.” Those who have already been in the country after reopening ensure that the rules when taking photos have relaxed, which does not mean that visitors can film what they want. “They only scold me once,” Recognize the CNN Gerg Vaczi, by Korko Tours, “and was to film a guide.” Opening, but with quotes. North Korea’s policy change has been important, but also limited. That he has decided to allow the passage of tourists again does not mean that they will move freely through the country or move to the capital, Pyongyang, supposedly closed For any tourist who Do not come from Russia. Visitors must settle at least for the moment with Rasona special economic zone established in the early 90s and presents certain important peculiarities. A special destination. To begin its location, it is strategic, northwest of the country, near the borders of China and Russia. It also does not have an international airport, with what the only way to arrive is to cross the limit with China under the control of the Border guards. The area also has peculiar administrative conditions and has been raised, Precise ABC News, as a kind of evidence field to test new economic policies. The idea It is that tourists who can reach drops visit spaces such as a factory, an aquaculture farm, Schoolsor have the experience of open an account Banking in the Golden Triangle Bank. Rason is also in a border and coastal area. Beard Recognize In any case that the area presents certain “logistics limitations”, such as the number of hotel places, guides and buses. And why now? The other big question. It is estimated that before the pandemic the country received hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists generated … Read more

Rubio promises changes in foreign policy under Trump’s “America First” philosophy

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Marco Rubio was sworn in as secretary of state, the country’s chief diplomat and the highest-ranking position in the Cabinet, second only to the vice president and president. After a unanimous vote in the Senate, Marco Rubio defended his department’s employees but warned of changes coming under the Trump administration. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Vice President JD Vance described Rubio as a “necessary change of course after a generation of failed foreign policy.” “He’s a bipartisan solution-seeker, a guy who can really get things done, but he’s a conservative with great principles and vision,” Vance said. “And I think more than anyone I’ve met in Washington in recent years, Senator Rubio, I think, understands President Trump’s distinctive priorities.” Thus, after taking the oath of office, Rubio said that “one of the main objectives of American foreign policy will be the promotion of peace.” “Of course, peace through strength, peace always without abandoning our values.”but I think it is extraordinary that it is something that needs to be said and that it has not been said enough in recent times,” added the new secretary. “As for the task before us, President Trump was elected to keep promises and he will keep them. And his main promise when it comes to foreign policy is that the State Department’s priority will be the United States. It will promote the national interests of this country. And he has given us a very clear mandate” “President Trump has made it very clear that everything we do must be justified by the answer to one of three questions: Does it make us stronger, does it make us safer, and does it make us more prosperous? If you don’t do one of those three things, we won’t do it. And that is the objective and that is the task, and that is the mission,” he concluded. Later, Rubio was received in the lobby of the State Department with applause from dozens of workers from this agency. Rubio once again reiterated his firm commitment to advancing Trump’s “America First” political platform, and warned that changes would occur in the State Department as a result. “There will be changes, but the changes do not have to be destructive. They do not have to be punitive,” anticipated the new head of US diplomacy. Rubio stated that the State Department needs to “act faster than ever because the world is changing faster than ever.” “It is an honor to lead this agency. I hope to do so with distinction and integrity, working harder than anyone in this position. And that will not be easy, because there have been very hard-working people before me,” he added. Keep reading:· Marco Rubio highlights sovereignty and economic power of Mexico and recognizes challenges for the United States· Pam Bondi, nominated for attorney general, says at her hearing that she has to study the 14th Amendment· Marco Rubio makes history as the first Hispanic to be Secretary of State

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