unbearable

Santa Claus has turned his “neighborhood” into an unbearable theme park

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In December, millions of children – and not so children – they write their letters for Santa Claus and they send them to their house in Lapland. In Lapland there are also people who write their letters, but wishing for something completely different: that tourists stop coming looking for Santa Claus. Because few places reflect so well what causes tourism such as Rovaniemi, the capital of the region. And the locals are fed up. Santa Claus’s city. Lapland is a Finnish region located near the Arctic Circle and its capital, Rovaniemiis a small city of about 65,000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by nature, but what puts it on the map each winter season is the “Santa Claus VillageFounded in 1985, the idea was to imitate something that disney I had been doing quite well for years: monetize the illusion. In fact, the country itself was the one that promoted officially Lapland as the authentic home of Santa Claus. And what was initially a decision to energize an area devastated by the Second World War (in fact, Rovaniemi’s population was residual until the mid-80s), it ended up forming a huge snowball. Burst. HE esteem The Santa Claus Post Office has received more than 15 million letters from 200 countries since it opened in 1985. In the busiest months, they receive 30,000 letters a day. But they don’t just receive letters: they also receive tourists. The “attraction” is open all year round, but it is during the busiest months (as Christmas approaches) when the number of tourists can exceed the local population by ten to one. The busiest day is obviously the 23rd, as tourists want to see Santa Claus leave. And the estimates is that Rovaniemi alone accounts for a third of the benefits of all tourism in Lapland, contributing around 400 million euros to the city. In fact, it is expected to increase by another 200 million annually over the next five years, something that motivates the opening of new hotels and more air connections, even in summer. Doesn’t stop. Because, of course, that number of tourists must sleep somewhere and, although Rovaniemi is not very big and depends on that Christmas tourism, it also seeks to stop being stationary. For example, there is a airport expansion plan for add 1,000 square meters to the terminal, as well as projects to diversify the tourist offer beyond the Christmas season. The plan is to develop adventure and wellness tourism in summer, taking advantage of the fact that they are surrounded by exotic nature and, thus, distribute the flow of visitors throughout the year. To contextualize, esteem that more than 700,000 people visited the region in 2024. They are almost the same as who visited Yucatán at its peak. To the south is Rovaniemi and next to the airport is the village of ‘Santa’ Reviews. And what had to happen happened, something that many other cities around the world are experiencing: a huge influx of tourists that are disturbing the local population. Part of the complaints about this touristification of Lapland They come from those who live all year round in Rovaniemi. Although hotels have been built and more are underway, they are not enough to accommodate so many tourists, so the tourist apartments make their august. This causes a shortage of housing and price increase. They also lament the saturation of local infrastructure during these peak seasons (going to the market on one of those days must be… fun) and something deeper: the loss of cultural identity in the face of excessive commercialization. In fact, in September last year, a group of local activists organized demonstrations demanding measures to prevent uncontrolled tourist growth. The mayor of the city himself recognized that something must be done to find balance, but that the financial gains are there. And both the Finnish Parliament and the Sami themselves they published in 2018 a guide to promote more sustainable and ethical tourism. And nature? Well, there is the other part of the cake and another reason for complaint for the locals. In a report by Guardianthe data of an analysis is presented that shows how, around the most popular tourist spots in Lapland, huge green areas have been developed focused solely on tourism. They include parks, hotels, ski slopes, virtual reality experiences to see the northern lights out of season, and vacation homes. In fact, they estimate that 15% of new urban developments in the region are related to tourism and that, over the past few years, 2.7 million square meters of nature have been consumed in a 10-kilometer radius with Rovaniemi in the center. Half of them are attributed directly to the tourism sector. But tourism is not the only threat. Snowball. In statements to the British media, a pastor from reindeer Sami (the local indigenous community that has been herding reindeer for generations) regrets that there is a set of factors (tourism, mining and logging) that is destroying grazing areas, but it is a situation that is not going to stop, but will increase as if it were a snowball. Taking into account that estimate of adding another $200 million in the short term to annual tourism, the Lapland regional council is already weaving a strategy to “grow resorts until they reach a critical mass in which the conditions for growth are so favorable that they attract more business and vitality to the area.” Meanwhile, environmentalists and locals will continue to wonder what will happen to the cultural heritage of the Sami people when the wave of tourism finishes passing over them. Images | Visit Rovaniemi, Ernmuhl In Xataka | “We do not want to be the Ibiza of the north”: the anti-tourism movement in Cantabria already mobilizes thousands of people

Suddenly, the unbearable noise of the speakers has stopped

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The story between the two Koreas has been full of disagreements. Let’s put as an example the last twelve months: South Korea received a rain of balloons loaded with garbage, and reply to the “neighbor” arrived in drones and propagandato which “the north” replied marking the enemy in the very constitution. North’s revenge was a noise -shaped rumble, and the south was no less with an infinite playlist of K-Pop. And, suddenly, one of the two has taken the white flag, and the other has followed him. Silence on the border. In what could be considered as a historical fact, a symbolic and strategic turn towards reconciliation, South Korea has off the speakers of propaganda that during the last year transmitted K-pop songs without stopping next to ideological news and messages through the border with North Korea. The decision, taken by the New President South Korean Lee Jae-Myung, marks one of his first specific steps to lower tensions Between Seoul and Pyongyang, after years of deterioration Under his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol. The measure intends to restore Trust channels and dialogue in a peninsula that follows Technically at war Since 1953. As explained by its spokesman, the suspension seeks to “restore confidence in intercorean relationships and build peace in the Korean Peninsula.” The War of Sound. We already said it at the beginning. The previous policy had resulted in a peculiar climbingbut the most intense: while South Korea used high -power speakers to broad Sound equipmentgenerating disturbing noises that affected everyday life in border South Korean villages. He counted The New York Times That, to protect themselves from noise, many residents installed windows with double glazing and insulation systems. In turn, the conflict moved to heaven, with South Korean activists (many northern deserters) Sending balloons Loaded with critical pamphlets to Pyongyang, to which the North Korean regime replied with balloons Full of plillas and garbage. This dynamic of mutual reprisals further aggravated a relationship already marked by hostility and distrust. The Donghae Bukbu line on the east coast of Korea. This road and rail connection was built for the South Koreans visited the tourist region of Monte Kumgang in the north Change of course. The former president Yoon Suk Yeol, deposed after imposing Briefly martial law in December and accused of promoting conflict with North Korea, had promoted the Use of propaganda as a means to undermine Kim Jong-un informative control. His government not only defended the speakers, but also encouraged Balloon sending as part of an ideological offensive in the name of freedom of expression. In contrast, Lee Jae-Myung, chosen in part for his promise to reduce tensions, has asked activists to cease in launch of pamphlets, arguing that these actions do not improve North Korean access to external information, but also raise the risk of Armed reprisals and endanger the southern border communities. Strategic pragmatism. On the other hand, human rights organizations and activists They have criticized harshly the decisions of the new government, accusing him of giving in to Pyongyang and limiting freedom of expression in South Korea. They argue that, by interrupting the speakers and discouraging the balloons, citizens of the north of one of the few access as possible to outside world information. For its part, the South Korean government has indicated that it could resort Aviation laws and public safety to prevent these practices, considering that they raise the risk of direct confrontation and endanger local inhabitants, who in many cases have expressed their relief due to the recent sound calm on the border. There is truce, but fragile. It is the last of the legs to analyze. North Korea’s reaction to this gesture of distension has not been immediate, although the next day It also ceased Its own speaker transmissions, which suggests a positive response, at least momentary. However, the general context continues to be tense. Under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, the regime It has hardened his position to the south, openly declaring that does not seek reunification And that will treat South Korea As an enemy To defeat in case of war. In addition to cutting all land ties between the two countries, North Korea has intensified their essays With nuclear missiles and has rejected all kinds of dialogue with Seoul and Washington. A new attempt. What seems clear is that, although Turn off the speakers It will not resolve the multiple open fronts in the interorean relationship, it represents a significant gesture in a prolonged cycle of sound and symbolic confrontation. By unilaterally suspending these actions, Lee Jae-Myung seeks to establish the basis of a New political narrativebased on the reduction of tensions and the reconstruction of diplomatic channels. No doubt, the balance between democratic principles, national security and geopolitical realism remains delicate. But for now The silence reigns On the border, and it is possible that the future of this truce depends on whether the north or the south end up turning the decibels of their speakers again. Image | Driedprawns In Xataka | The day that USA invaded Panama at the rhythm of rock. He spent three days without stopping “bombing” the Vatican embassy In Xataka | North Korea has deployed a new psychological weapon against South Korea: an unbearable noise

The coffee situation was already limit. Tariffs threaten to shoot their price at unbearable levels

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The situation of Coffee Market in 2025 It is a gallimatisms. Different factors have caused the price of coffee to experience one of the Greater climbs in historywe must all add one more: the US tariff pulse with the rest of the world. And there is a great question about the table: if the great toasters stop selling both to the US because the costs are unbearable, will they adjust production or sell their surpluses cheaper to the rest of the world? The answer is that … it seems that everyone will make war on their own. Problems everywhere. The 2024 coffee harvest faced a series of problems that caused raw coffee prices to increase drastically. Extreme climatic factors how droughts and irregular rains hit the two Main coffee producers (Brazil and Vietnam). This has affected both the production and the quality of the grain, but they have also caused transport cuts due to Problems on the Suez channelwhich has delayed shipments and increased costs. All this, in addition to other factors, has caused coffee to be going through strong inflationary pressure, with increases that, depending on the week, have reached up to 40% compared to what is seen a year ago. It is something similar to what is happening with cocoa and that has turned coffee into one of the thermometers of the global economy. The blissful tariffs. The one that was missing in the equation was … Trump. Tariffor “tariff” has become the word Favorite From the new president of the United States, and these last weeks we have lived an authentic tariff syrup between countries. It is something that affects markets such as cars, oil, technology, Digital services, food products And, obviously, coffee. These tariffs proposed by the United States are a protectionist measure, but also a throwing weapon with a clear intention: threaten countries To do what the USA wants. A clear example is the Tariff threat to Mexico and Canadatwo of the main US business partners that originated Dimes and Diartes among the presidents of the countries. And also We have seen it with Colombia. If the Latin American country did not yield to the aggressive immigration policy promoted from the White House, the threat was to impose rates of 25% and up to 50%. And what product that the United States loves is one of the world powers? Coffee. Hitting the pocket. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, in 2022 Colombia exported 15.6 billion dollars To the US, of which almost 1.8 billion corresponded to coffee. Coffee is the great merchandise exported by the country, in terms of value, only behind oil. The New York Times warned that imposing 25% or more to Colombian goods would impact the pocket of the Americans and here there are two options: or stop consuming so much … or assume the extra cost. Variety of postures. Boris Wüllner is the CEO of Green Coffeeone of the largest producers in Colombia that has been investing great sums In the country. In an interview for The RepublicWüllner comments that it is time for companies to look for the way of being more efficient in the production chain, even toasting the grain on American soil to “avoid a larger tax effect.” In fact, he sees it as a business opportunity. While Latin American coffees will be taxed with 10%, those of Indonesia and Vietnam will face tariffs of a 32% and 46% respectivelywhich will allow, despite those 10%tariffs, the Colombian product is more competitive. Wüllner also considers that it will be the consumer who absorbs the increase that these tariffs will imply, but that they will not stop drinking coffee. Different opinion have from Europe, specifically from Lavazza. Touching the limit. Its executive director, Antonio Baravalle, believes that consumer tolerance is reaching the limit due to high prices and is clear that this increase in costs for consumers is what has generated “an average contraction of the world coffee market of approximately 3.5% in the last two years”. And that the tariffs had not yet come into play. From the US National Coffee Association they share this opinion, commenting that “the great price increase is eaten the liquidity of the customers. They do not have all the money to buy what they need.” Beyond producers and USA. The issue is that it is not an issue that affects only the directs involved. “If the US imposes a 25% tariff on all Colombian exports, the coffee market, which is already red, will heat even more,” I commented A few days ago Javier Blas, Bloomberg columnist. Colombia is the third producer worldwide of a variety, the Arabica, which is also the most appreciated among specialty coffee shops. And that the Colombian market sets out in the United States could impact the rest of the world. Liquefied natural gas. As? With more price increases to cushion the coup to producers and toaster. But … what if the situation were different? Here we can look at the LNG. If large toasters reduce purchases in the US, the most likely scenario is a combination of production and detour adjustments to other markets. In other sectors, such as liquefied natural gas, we have already seen similar dynamics: when US imports decreased after fracking boomexporters they redirected Part of their sales to Asia and Europe, and even slowed their production. Although coffee and LNG play in different leagues (one is an energy raw material, the other a perishable agricultural product), market logic is comparable: less demand in a key destination forces to look for other markets or produce less to avoid collapsing prices. That could be the strategy of large coffee producers, who are already preparing for it optimizing costs and logistics, as Wüllner proposes. Hope? Depends. On the one hand, the FAO (the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) estimates that The worst has not happened And that, because coffee has no alternatives, although prices rise, consumers will continue to pay them. On the other, … Read more

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