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Airbnb restricts under-25s in Spain, in a bid to put a stop to parties

Airbnb is restricting many under-25s in Spain from renting entire homes via its platform.

Airbnb restricts under-25s in Spain, in a bid to put a stop to parties
Airbnb logo. Photo: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP

The move comes as the company aims to reduce unauthorised parties and ensure safety. The restrictions will also be applicable to under-25s in France and the UK. 

Airbnb began cracking down last year as rowdy parties were causing problems with neighbours in certain communities, and with the coronavirus pandemic there has been even greater concern about events where social distancing measures are breached.

Airbnb said it will now begin testing in Spain, Britain and France by banning those under-25s with less than three positive ratings from renting entire homes close to where they live.

Those with at least three positive reviews and no negative reviews on Airbnb or with long-term plans are not subject to the restriction, and all users can book private rooms and hotel rooms via the platform.

“The restriction is intended to protect local communities while still allowing younger guests to book listings outside of their local area,” Airbnb said in a statement.

It follows testing of similar measures in the United States and Canada, and the firm said it has also strengthened its ban on gatherings that violate public health mandates in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Airbnb is committed to being good partners to communities and today's announcement follows a series of measures taken by the platform to clampdown on antisocial behaviour and unauthorised parties,” the company said.

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POLITICS

France vows to block EU-South America trade deal in current form

France has vowed to prevent a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc from being signed with its current terms, as the country is rocked by farmer protests.

France vows to block EU-South America trade deal in current form

The trade deal, which would include agricultural powers Argentina and Brazil, is among a litany of complaints by farmers in France and elsewhere in Europe who have been blocking roads to demand better conditions for their sector.

They fear it would further depress their produce prices amid increased competition from exporting nations that are not bound by strict and costly EU environmental laws.

READ ALSO Should I cancel my trip to France because of farmers’ protests?

“This Mercosur deal, as it stands, is not good for our farmers. It cannot be signed as is, it won’t be signed as is,” Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire told broadcasters CNews and Europe 1.

The European Commission acknowledged on Tuesday that the conditions to conclude the deal with Mercosur, which also includes Paraguay and Uruguay, “are not quite there yet”.

The talks, however, are continuing, the commission said.

READ ALSO 5 minutes to understand French farmer protests

President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that France opposes the deal because it “doesn’t make Mercosur farmers and companies abide by the same rules as ours”.

The EU and the South American nations have been negotiating since 2000.

The contours of a deal were agreed in 2019, but a final version still needs to be ratified.

The accord aims to cut import tariffs on – mostly European – industrial and pharmaceutical goods, and on agricultural products.

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