by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | europe, italy, italy national news, migrants, relocation
Italians are getting an opportunity to
move to a charming and tranquil area of the nation
– And they might receive an enormous amount of money for doing this.
Famous for its stunning mountain landscapes, the northern Italian area of Trentino has experienced a decrease in population in recent times.
However, with the new national budget law enacted in 2024,
Italy
, residents might receive up to €100,000 as payment.
move to the area where the Dolomites converge with the Alps
.
The funding is part of an initiative to revitalize and restore over 30 Italian towns that are at risk of disappearing. Many of these communities have more vacant buildings than occupied ones.
To encourage the acquisition of dilapidated or neglected properties, Trentino has set aside over €10 million for this initiative over the coming two years.
Residents of Italy and those residing overseas who are keen on this type of investment will have access to a grant totaling approximately €80,000 for renovations and an additional €20,000 to assist with buying the property.
It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? There’s a catch though.
Individuals opting to register for a grant are required to reside in Trentino for at least ten years or, alternatively, they must promise to lease the property for this duration.
Individuals who get a grant but do not follow these regulations might have to repay the money they received.
The president of Trento, the capital of Trentino, stated: “Our aim is to rejuvenate local communities and enhance territorial cohesion.”
In recent years, several charming Italian towns have come under scrutiny from the government.
backed
a scheme where properties have been sold for less than the price of a pint of lager.
Launched in 2017, the ‘one euro’ initiative aimed to stimulate local economies and draw new inhabitants to communities experiencing shrinking populations. Under this program, purchasers must refurbish the homes within a set period.
Thus, home seekers got the chance to acquire quaint houses in idyllic settings for a mere euro.
From the lush hills of Sicily to the quaint villages of Calabria, more than 100 houses have been purchased through this program until now.
Trentino’s initiative might also enable up to 100 locals to receive financial support for relocating and refurbishing dilapidated properties in areas like Val di Non, Val di Sole, or Castello Tesino—villages that risk becoming completely abandoned otherwise.
“These are regions that, despite retaining a distinct cultural and scenic character, have experienced a steady decline in population,” writes Nicola Teofilo, a real estate journalist for
Immobiliaire News
reported.
‘A number of these communities are situated amidst mountains or valleys, making everyday living more intricate because of their remoteness from primary amenities.’
Individuals who are below 45 years old and currently residing in the northern area are not eligible to apply for the grant. Moreover, participants in the program can only buy up to three properties.
Trentino authorities aim to complete the plan within the next few weeks, anticipating that approximately 33 municipalities will participate.
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by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | battery charging, battery electric vehicles, electric cars, electric power, technology
Is Mercedes-Benz equipped with the perfect formula for the rapid charging experience you desire? Additionally, consider Hyundai’s EV facility along with Rivian’s approach.
Despite a year filled with various uncertainties, the U.S. electric vehicle industry continues to grow.
continues to grow rapidly
But what’s hindering that expansion isn’t primarily the vehicles; it’s the process of charging them.
A substantial part of the electrical realm revolves around infrastructure, ensuring that consumers have
good home charging options
for managing road trips and exploring lesser-known routes with reliable DC fast charging. The former typically works smoothly and excellently; the latter
can really be hit or miss
.
Enter Mercedes-Benz, which is taking some of the boldest steps among traditional automakers to ensure that DC public fast charging doesn’t just magically get better on its own. On this week’s episode of the
Plugged-In Podcast
, my co-host Tim Levin and I are excited to have a conversation with Andrew Cornelia, who is the CEO of
Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging
.
We have discussed this aspect of Mercedes frequently before. They are striving to create an extensive system of reliable, top-notch public charging stations throughout the United States. These will include facilities such as restrooms, snack options, and powerful 400-kilowatt chargers that function flawlessly each time.
Cornelia has deep knowledge in this area since he spent nearly half a decade working with Tesla’s charging infrastructure. His aim is to make sure everyone can have access to a top-notch charging experience soon. Similarly, Mercedes’ quick-charging station network is accessible to all electric vehicles, regardless of the brand. However, Mercedes vehicle owners receive exclusive benefits and priority service.
Tune in to hear Cornelia’s ideas about how to make charging better, plus what he really thinks of BYD’s new five-minute fast-charging breakthrough.
Additionally, in today’s podcast episode, we discuss
Rivian’s newly launched Micro-Mobility Brand
I’ll share my thoughts on
Hyundai’s bold new facility in Savannah, Georgia
That’s where the American-built Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 reside. And of course, we can’t ignore tariffs; after all, this is the Plugged-In Podcast.
Our podcast can be found on
InsideEVs YouTube
Channel later today, along with all prominent audio platforms:
Apple Podcasts
,
Spotify
, and
iHeart Radio
New episodes become available every Friday.
If you haven’t done so yet, kindly subscribe and drop us a review. Thank you for listening!
Contact the author:
patrick.george@insideevs.com
Previously On The Pod
-
We’re Addressing Your Electric Vehicle Queries on Our Podcast
-
BYD’s Game-Changing 5-Minute Electric Vehicle Fast Charge, Decoded
-
Is Toyota Now Genuine About Electric Vehicles?
-
Tesla Sales Continue to Plunge in Europe. What’s Next?
-
How to Rescue Electric Vehicles from Political Influence
-
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Has Improved Significantly
-
Will Hybrids Be the Next Big Thing in Electric Vehicles?
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | air travel, europe, flying, international travel, Travel
-
The Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport caters to three distinct European nations.
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: Picturesque private island in Panama priced lower than a home in London
Maybe Europe’s quirkiest and most intriguing destination for aviation enthusiasts, this airport stands alone as the sole spot on the planet where landing in three different nations happens all at once.
Each exit leads to a completely different nation, making this airport a must-see destination for avid aviation enthusiasts.
Situated in the northeastern part of France in the Alsace region, the Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Airport caters to the neighboring cities of Basel in Switzerland and Mulhouse.
France
and Freiburg,
Germany
.
Located at the heart of the ‘trinational Eurodistrict’, where the borders of three nations converge into a single region, the airport operates under dual customs jurisdictions, being divided between French and Swiss customs boundaries.
Managed jointly by France and Switzerland, this distinctive airport has a governing board comprising eight representatives from each country, along with two advisors from Germany.
Referred to as an ‘icon of global collaboration,’ which turned ‘incredibly crucial’ after the
Second World War
There is even a border crossing inside the terminal that enables passengers to easily access both France and Switzerland without going through immigration checks.
Serving more than 9 million passengers annually, this recognizable airport allows travelers to easily access nearby cities such as Basel, which is just five miles away in Switzerland, while Mulhouse in France lies approximately 15.5 miles to the south.
The city of Freiburg in Germany lies approximately 43 miles north of the international airport, while various Swiss cities such as Zurich and Geneva are also easily accessible.
French law enforcement personnel may conduct arbitrary safety inspections within the airport’s Swiss portion and are tasked with overseeing the overall security of the facility.
For discerning shoppers, there’s no certainty about which type of currency will be accepted; some stores or cafés might take Swiss Francs, whereas others may accept Euros.
Established in 1946, the airport operates under a 1949 international agreement and acts as a crucial hub for EasyJet Switzerland.
Running over 25 airlines, travelers have access to more than 100 destinations spanning 30 distinct countries. Meanwhile,UK visitors can directly reach this border-crossing location via flights from London, Manchester, Bristol, and Dublin.
Referred to as the ‘oddest airport globally’, this ‘entry point to the tri-national area’ stands out for its distinctive features.
TikTok travel curator AllyJape
In a widely viewed clip that has attracted over 7,000 viewers.
Addressing his over 78,000 followers about this distinctive travel center, he remarks, “This is the sole airport where you can simultaneously reach three separate nations. It stands as the one and only airport globally operated jointly by two distinct countries.”
This implies that as soon as you get here, you have the option to leave via either the French side or the Swiss side of the same building.
‘This is just crazy.’
Enthusiastic TikTok viewers flocked to the comment section to share their awe over the distinctive travel center, with one user remarking: “I wish I could land at this airport someday,” while another succinctly noted: “This right here is what you call an actual international airport.”
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by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | female empowerment, social issues, women, women's rights, women's sports
We are the ones demonstrating to the world what women can achieve. We are the ones showing that power isn’t determined by one’s gender.
A powerful declaration made by Achrissa Maw from the University of the Philippines (UP) women’s basketball team during the Third Sunflower Run-Walk-Parade event held on March 22, 2025, at the UP Diliman campus academic oval.
“Recognition of Women, Hope for Youth” is the theme of the event during Women’s Month, which also honored UP women athletes.
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The ‘aswangs’ in Duterte’s drug war
‘Kisapmata’: Story of Domestic Abuse, Incest, and the Fight for Liberation
#HerStory: Women Transforming Society
The member institutions of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) go head-to-head in 20 different sporting events. These competitions include both Men’s and Women’s categories across most sports; however, exceptions apply to certain games. Baseball involves only male athletes, whereas softball is exclusively played by female participants.
From 1938 onwards, the University of the Philippines’ female squads emerged as champions across various sports: they won 21 titles in swimming, 12 in judo, 9 in badminton, 8 in volleyball, 7 in basketball, 6 in table tennis, 5 in fencing, 3 each in softball and chess, 2 in taekwondo gyeorugi, along with one title each in football and taekwondo poomsae.
Softball competition takes place exclusively in the women’s division, which began in 1953. The University of the Philippines claimed the title four times: during Season 58 (1995–96), Season 59 (1996–97), Season 64 (2001–02), and Season 70 (2007–08).
In women’s basketball, the University of the Philippines (UP) clinched the championship title seven times: during Season 39 ([1976–77]), Season 40 (1977–78), Season 41 (1978–79), Season 43 (1980–81), Season 44 (1981–82), Season 45 (1982–83), and Season 46 (1983–84). For men’s basketball, UP secured their championship victories in 1939, 1986, 2022, and 2024.
In women’s swimming, UP claimed the championship 21 times: during Season 2 (1939–40), Season 3 (1940–41), Season 10 (1947–48), Season 27 (1964–65), Season 28 (1965–66), Season 29 (1966–67), Season 51 (1988–89), Season 54 (1991–92), Season 56 (1993–94), Season 57 (1994–95), Season 58 (1995–96), Season 60 (1997–98), Season 61 (1998–99), Season 62 (1999–00), Season 72 (2009–10), Season 73 (2010–11), Season 74 (2011–12), Season 75 (2012–13), Season 76 (2013–14), Season 79 (2016–17), and Season 86 (2023–24).
In women’s volleyball, UP claimed the championship title eight times: during Season 1 (1938–39), Season 10 (1947–48), Season 12 (1949–50), Season 14 (1951–52), Season 25 (1962–63), Season 40 (1977–78), Season 42 (1979–80), and Season 45 (1982–83).
During the inaugural season of 1938-39, female teams made their debut in volleyball, whereas male squads took to the court for the first time eight seasons later in 1946-47. The University of the Philippines emerged as victors in that initial campaign.
In basketball, female teams made their debut during Season 13 (1950-51), with University of the Philippines securing their initial victory in Season 39 (1976–77).
The UP women athletes achieved a series of wins in badminton over six seasons from 1995 to 2000, in swimming across five seasons from 2009 to 2013, in fencing during five seasons spanning 2000 to 2004, in basketball throughout four seasons between 1980 and 1983, in judo through two separate periods each covering four seasons: first from 1999 to 2002 and then from 2006 to 2009, and also in table tennis consistently over four seasons ranging from 1997 to 2000.
In Season 87, hosted by UP, the ladies’ squad has secured first place in badminton, second place in swimming, and third place in track and field so far.
The United Nations officially acknowledged International Women’s Day in 1977, which is observed annually on March 8. This day celebrates the accomplishments of women across all boundaries, including nationalities, ethnic backgrounds, languages, cultures, economics, and politics.
In March, it was proclaimed as Women’s Month following President Cory Aquino signing Proclamation Number 288 on March 17, 1988. This proclamation highlighted the significant contributions of Filipino women in various fields such as society, culture, economy, and politics over our nation’s history.
We aren’t merely typical athletes; we serve as role models and leaders,” Maw stated. “We motivate the next cohort of young women to pursue their aspirations, stand firm without backing down, and recognize their true value.
The parade participants consist of female University of the Philippines athletes from sports such as basketball, chess, fencing, judo, softball, swimming, table tennis, and track and field. Additionally, groups like the Filipiniana dancers, street dance ensemble, and varsity pep drummers will also join in.
Sunflower serves as an emblem of female empowerment during the suffrage movement.
Women in Kansas adorned themselves with sunflower pins when advocating for their voting rights back in 1867. Despite the failure of the Kansas referendum, the color yellow stayed symbolic within the suffragette movement throughout the 20th century.
Sunflowers have also turned into the emblem of the final milestones in college life.
Sunflowers represent dedication and commitment as residents cleared all academic hurdles with sleepless and turbulent days and nights.
Just like how a single sunflower within the schoolyard requires ample sunlight to thrive, each student should view every encounter at the university as essential for their personal development.
The event was spearheaded by several female-led organizations from the University of the Philippines (UP), including UP Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority, UP Portia Sorority, UP Women in Law, Women Lawyers Circle, along with UP Concert Chorus and their corresponding alumni associations such as IBP Quezon City, UP Law Class of 1985, Kontra GaPi, Maritime Law Association of the Philippines, and Celebrity Club.
We aren’t merely engaged in a game; we’re transforming the rules of engagement. We’re altering how stories get told and making an impact on society at large,” declared Maw. “We won’t remain unheard, pushed aside, or dismissed. Instead, we’ll keep expanding limits, shattering stereotypes, and etching ourselves into historical memory.
(Pey ups serves as the moniker for the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho leads the Seafarers’ Division at the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For feedback, send an email.)
info@sapalovelez.com
, or call 0917-502-5808 or 0908-866-5786.)
by admin | Mar 28, 2025 | business, citizenship, crimes, government, immigration
MANILA, Philippines —
On Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed that they have discovered a plan where foreigners adopt false Filipino personas to set up enterprises and potentially hire unauthorized employees in Mindanao.
Following this, the BI arrested five Chinese citizens during two distinct operations: one involved an illegal immigrant “running” a hardware shop listed under what appears to be a non-existent Filipino resident in Davao del Sur; another operation targeted four people who were employed unlawfully at a chemical facility located in North Cotabato. The said factory was supposedly owned by a Filipino individual but is believed to actually belong to a Chinese national residing in Manila.
Labeling the scheme as a “troubling development,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado cautioned that fake documents might also be used for spying purposes.
“These papers and altered identification records might be employed by outsiders who have [sinister] motives and could potentially be misused by undercover agents infiltrating our community by posing as locals,” he stated.
READ:
Adiong: Those issuing counterfeit Philippine birth certificates are linked to an extensive network.
READ:
Government blocks 1,600 birth certificates wrongly acquired by non-citizens.
Nonexistent owner
On March 20, the Bureau of Immigration, working alongside the Philippine Army and local police forces, apprehended Bangdie Pan, who goes by the alias Ditdit, a 50-year-old Chinese citizen, in Digos City, located in Davao del Sur.
Pan was arrested due to violations of Philippine immigration regulations during an operation backed by the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, the 1002nd Brigade, the 10th Infantry Division, the Philippine National Police, and governmental intelligence agents in Region 11.
Based on the BI statement, the foreign national was actively running a hardware store that is officially registered under a purported Filipino citizen, whose identity is currently being looked into.
” Records showed that Pan had a work visa issued for a firm based in Pasig City, yet she was discovered performing duties outside her authorized scope in Davao del Sur,” the agency stated.
Staff members at the hardware store allegedly confessed that the claimed Filipino proprietor does not actually exist and that the establishment’s licenses were acquired through fraudulent papers.
After four days, agents from BI Intelligence, working alongside several governmental organizations, apprehended four Chinese citizens at a chemical production facility in M’lang, located in North Cotabato.
The people identified were Zhongyi Tang, aged 62; Tianbei Wu, 51 years old; Dezhen Liu, also 62, and Wang Lianxu, who is 53.
The BI mentioned that they acquired birth certificates and paperwork indicating that Liu had falsely presented himself as a Filipino.
The agency’s probe also revealed that the firm was registered under a Filipina, however, workers at the plant stated they hadn’t laid eyes on her ever since the business started operations.
The BI stated, “Employees at the plant acknowledged that the actual owner is a Chinese national residing in Manila.”
The five individuals from China are now facing charges related to deportation.
Widespread problem
Viado has pushed for more stringent rules governing the issuance of Filipino identity papers and documentation to curb potential misuse by undocumented individuals, an issue that came to light last year amid Senate investigations into the recently prohibited Philippine offshore gambling enterprises (POGOs).
In July 2024, the NBI office in Davao disclosed the discovery of nearly 200 forged birth certificates that were provided to Chinese citizens by the civil registry of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur during the years 2018 and 2019.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago subsequently revealed that as many as 1,200 Chinese citizens were issued birth certificates by the Santa Cruz local civil registry from 2016 onwards. This number is six times greater than what the agency initially reported.
It is alleged that these counterfeit papers allowed individuals from abroad to partake in actions reserved solely for Filipino citizens, such as buying property, establishing enterprises, and even seeking elected positions, similar to what was seen with former mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac, who is suspected to be a Chinese national and has been arrested due to her involvement in unlawful Pogo ventures.
Suspected spies
Previously, the government had shown worry over the accounts regarding the existence of Chinese spies within the nation.
In January, the NBI apprehended five alleged Chinese spies accused of keeping an eye on the operations of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy in Palawan, particularly focusing on the supply efforts for forces stationed in the West Philippine Sea.
In the subsequent month, the NBI apprehended two additional Chinese nationals alongside three Filipinos on charges of espionage.
The NBI stated that its cybercrime division along with a specialized task force was notified regarding unusual cars equipped with devices for intercepting messages. These vehicles have been spotted near the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police headquarters, as well as around Malacañang and various governmental buildings within Metro Manila.
