World
New EU rules to stop illegal short-term rentals are a welcome change
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews.
The regulation is a promising step forward in achieving a balanced ecosystem for short-term rentals, serving the interests of both the public and visitors in our cities, Famke Halsema writes.
On Thursday, the European Parliament passed a regulation concerning the sharing and collection of data for Short-Term accommodation Rental services (STR).
This piece of legislation is crucial for many European cities, in particular those facing housing shortages and challenges related to tourism.
The main benefit for cities is that the regulation imposes data-sharing obligations on short-term rental platforms — data we have been demanding for years, but never received.
These new obligations, including the mandatory removal of illegal advertisements, will help us enforce existing regulations.
It’s a matter of a balanced approach
Local rules ensure a balanced development of short-term rentals in our society, protect the liveability of our neighbourhoods and prevent residential housing from being withdrawn from the market.
As online servicing of short-term rentals is by nature transnational, an EU legislative initiative was imperative.
We welcome this EU regulation, which marks the end of a process that started in 2018. Back then, the European Cities Alliance on Short-Term Holiday Rentals, led by my own city Amsterdam, shared its concerns with the European Commission on the impact of short-term rentals on cities.
These temporary online-serviced accommodations had seen impressive growth in the previous years, leading local governments to implement rules to protect public interests.
However, city administrations had no information about where the accommodation was located, for how many nights it was available, or how many guests were involved.
We do not oppose short-term rentals. However, there must be a balanced regulatory approach to the subject.
For enforcement of these rules, such as limiting the maximum number of rentals allowed per year in an accommodation, access to data is essential.
While tourism is on the rise, affordable housing for residents is diminishing
To ensure a broader understanding of this issue, there are several dimensions to highlight.
Firstly, European cities offer some of the most beautiful historical centres in the world and play a key role in making Europe the top destination in a growing tourism industry.
The European Travel Commission expects international tourist arrivals to Europe to reach pre-pandemic levels this year, which is a year earlier than expected. In short, tourism is on the rise.
While cities will continue to be open and welcoming, there is a risk that imbalances will occur between the growing numbers of visitors and our local population. Curbing illegal short-term rentals is one of the keys we have to restoring and maintaining this balance.
Secondly, many European cities face a persistent and increasing lack of affordable and decent housing. In Amsterdam, for example, there is currently a waiting list of approximately 13 years for social housing for those with modest incomes.
Meanwhile, on the private rental market, prices are prohibitively high, far beyond what average households can afford.
Limits on short-term rentals are needed to ensure our housing stock remains available for residential use, to be able to accommodate all the students, teachers, police, healthcare workers, shop retailers, taxi drivers, and many other residents that contribute to the social fabric of our cities.
Lastly, local governments have an important responsibility for safeguarding livability in their cities. Short-term rentals require regulation, as the anonymous nature of these temporary stays, which are usually based in residential areas, tend to correlate with local disturbances, such as litter and noise.
The new regulation will benefit everyone
Our cities’ alliance is grateful to the European Commission for proposing legislation aligned with our objectives. This regulation not only serves the public interests I have already mentioned but also benefits consumers by promoting transparency and preventing tourists from staying in illegal accommodations.
We hope the new regulation will close the long chapter of litigations in which our local rules have been disputed by online platforms — and may it mark a new beginning for cooperation between public authorities and the sector.
The regulation is a promising step forward in achieving a balanced ecosystem for short-term rentals, serving the interests of both the public and visitors in our cities. Our alliance will closely monitor its implementation and aims to be involved as a key stakeholder in its evaluation.
Femke Halsema is Mayor of Amsterdam, writing on behalf of the European Cities Alliance on Short-Term Holiday Rentals: Amsterdam, Arezzo, Barcelona, Berlin, Bologna, Brussels, Budapest, Florence, Krakow, Lyon, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Prague, Porto, Utrecht, Valencia, Vienna, Warsaw and Eurocities.
At Euronews, we believe all views matter. Contact us at view@euronews.com to send pitches or submissions and be part of the conversation.
World
At least four dead in US after dozens of tornadoes rip through Oklahoma
Hospitals across the state reported about 100 injuries, including people apparently struck by debris.
At least four people were killed and dozens more injured after multiple tornadoes wreaked havoc in the central state of Oklahoma in the United States.
The tornadoes caused extensive damage in the town of Sulphur, home to about 5,000 people, flattened buildings, threw vehicles into the air and ripped the roofs from houses.
“You just can’t believe the destruction,” Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said during a visit to the hard-hit town on Sunday afternoon. “It seems like every business downtown has been destroyed.”
A four-month-old baby was among the dead, Hughes County Emergency Management Director Mike Dockrey told Oklahoma television station KOCO.
Stitt said about 30 people were injured, including some who were in a bar when the tornado struck.
Hospitals across the state reported about 100 injuries, including people apparently cut or struck by debris, and more than 20,000 residents were still without electricity on Sunday evening.
Stitt issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 12 counties due to the severe weather, while in a call with the Oklahoma governor, President Joe Biden offered the federal government’s full support with recovery efforts, the White House said in a statement.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that 38 possible tornadoes hit the area and that the worst of the storms rolled through Central Oklahoma on Saturday into early Sunday morning, spreading into northwest Texas, western Missouri and Kansas.
World
Hannah Green wins LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship for 2nd straight year
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Green won LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship for the second straight year Sunday, holing out twice from off the greens in a pivotal back-nine stretch at challenging Wilshire Country Club.
A year after making a 25-foot birdie on the final hole of regulation and winning on the second hole of a playoff, Green — with help from Maja Stark — took the late drama out of this one for her fifth LPGA Tour victory and second of the year.
“It’s really kind to me,” Green said about the course. “I felt like a couple times today almost got like a member bounce. I, obviously, really am fond of the golf club and joked that they didn’t approve it with me that they were making alterations. I love it here.”
Green closed with a 5-under 66 to beat Stark by three strokes. The 27-year-old Australian, also the winner early last month in Singapore, finished at 12-under 272 on the tree-lined layout with poa annua greens that become bumpy late in the day.
Green began the key run with a chip-in birdie on the par-3 12th and made a 6-foot birdie putt on the par-5 13th. Then, after Stark bogeyed the par-4 16th two groups ahead, Green ran in a 25-footer for eagle from the fringe on 15 to open a four-stroke lead, and made it 5 under in five holes with a birdie on 16.
“When I chipped in on 12 I kind of felt like I really snagged one there,” Green said. “I really like the 13th hole and also played the 15th really well. When I made eagle on 15 that kind of sealed the deal. I did see Maja got it to 9 under so I know what I needed to do. Usually, I make it really tricky on myself and only win by a shot.”
Stark finished with a 68, rebounding from the bogey on 16 to birdie the final two holes. The 24-year-old Swede also finished second last week outside Houston in The Chevron Championship, two strokes behind top-ranked Nelly Korda in the first major of the year.
“I’m really proud of the way I’ve played,” Stark said. “I feel like I’ve hit a lot of good shots and I feel like my nerves kind of took over for a little while, but I was always able to get back to the normal — my normal state of mind.”
Haeran Ryu (69) was third at 6 under, followed by fellow South Korean players Jin Young Ko (67) and Jin Hee Im (72) at 5 under.
Grace Kim, four strokes ahead entering weekend after opening rounds of 64 and 66 and tied with Green for the lead after a third-round 76, finished with a 77 to tie for 25th at 1 under. She failed to make a birdie the final two days.
Korda withdrew from the Los Angeles event Monday, a day after her record-tying fifth straight victory.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
World
Protesters in Germany call for Islamic fundamentalism: 'Caliphate is the solution'
More than 1,000 protesters gathered in Hamburg, Germany to take part in an Islamist demonstration over the weekend, German media reported.
According to German newspaper Die Welt, the demonstration took place in the Steindamm neighborhood of Hamburg on Saturday afternoon.
Muslim protesters carried a variety of signs in support of Islamic fundamentalism. One of the signs read “Kalifat ist die Lösung,” which translates to, “Caliphate is the solution.”
The protesters also yelled “Allahu Akbar,” meaning “God is great,” in Arabic. Hamburg police told Die Welt that there were roughly 1,100 participants.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS FLOOD DC STREETS, TAKE AIM AT WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER: ‘SHAME ON YOU!’
The protest was reportedly organized by a group called Muslim Interaktiv. According to the organization’s social media, the protest was meant to stand against the “demoniz[ation of] all Islamic life in Germany.”
“We will raise our voices together, inshallah,” a translated post on X read. “Together against Islamophobic reporting, both in recent weeks and in recent months.”
The Hamburg protests came as anti-Israel protests have intensified across the world, while the Israel-Hamas war inches towards its eighth month. In the U.S., protesters at Columbia University, Harvard University, University of Texas at Austin and other schools have set up tents on their universities’ quads as a sign of solidarity with Palestinians.
ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CONTINUE NATIONWIDE DISRUPTIONS WITH ESCALATIONS AT USC, HARVARD AND COLUMBIA
The war began on October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Around 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed, igniting a fierce response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israel’s military response has been criticized by anti-war groups for exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which IDF supporters have blamed on Hamas. In December, police in Berlin banned a pro-Palestinian rally planned for New Year’s Eve out of fear of potential chaos and crimes.
“The situation is emotional,” Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik said at the time. “An influx of troublemakers is to be expected who could use the meeting to commit crimes. No meeting leader could keep such a development under control. That’s why the police banned the demonstration.”
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
-
Kentucky1 week ago
Kentucky first lady visits Fort Knox schools in honor of Month of the Military Child
-
World1 week ago
Shipping firms plead for UN help amid escalating Middle East conflict
-
Politics1 week ago
ICE chief says this foreign adversary isn’t taking back its illegal immigrants
-
News1 week ago
Is this fictitious civil war closer to reality than we think? : Consider This from NPR
-
News1 week ago
The San Francisco Zoo will receive a pair of pandas from China
-
Politics1 week ago
'Nothing more backwards' than US funding Ukraine border security but not our own, conservatives say
-
World1 week ago
Two Mexican mayoral contenders found dead on same day
-
Politics1 week ago
Republican aims to break decades long Senate election losing streak in this blue state