Key Takeaways
- Portugal is set to increase property transfer taxes (IMT) for non-resident homebuyers as part of a broader strategy to tackle a severe housing crisis and make homes more affordable for local citizens.
- Former President Donald Trump has revealed a "21-Point Plan" aimed at not only ending the conflict in Gaza but also at resuming broader peace efforts in the Middle East, including potential normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
- US citizen Amir Amiri has been released from detention in Afghanistan through Qatari mediation, following a visit by US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, and other American officials to the country.
- The visit by US Special Envoy Adam Boehler to Afghanistan on Sunday underscores ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of American detainees and signals a potential, albeit cautious, shift towards engagement with the Taliban government.
Portugal's government announced plans to significantly raise the property transfer tax (IMT) for non-resident buyers, a move designed to cool a surging real estate market and address a critical housing shortage for its citizens. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro stated that this measure is part of a comprehensive package to make housing more accessible and affordable for locals. The new tax changes are specifically targeting luxury and high-demand properties, which are predominantly purchased by non-residents.
The influx of foreign investment, particularly from the United States, Brazil, and China, has driven property prices to unprecedented levels, with non-EU foreigners reportedly paying almost double the amount locals spend on homes. In addition to the tax hike, Portugal is also extending the residency requirement for foreign nationals seeking citizenship from five to ten years, a move intended to ensure deeper integration into Portuguese society. These reforms follow the 2023 scrapping of the real estate investment route under the popular Golden Visa program, yet foreign demand has remained robust.
In Middle Eastern affairs, former President Donald Trump has outlined a "21-Point Plan" to end the nearly two-year conflict in Gaza and restart regional peace initiatives. Speaking to Axios, Trump emphasized that his plan aims beyond a mere cessation of hostilities, focusing on a resumption of comprehensive peace efforts. Key elements of the proposal include a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, the exclusion of Hamas from any governing role in the Gaza Strip, and the establishment of an Arab-led security force. Trump also reportedly stated his intention to prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank. He views ending the Gaza war as a crucial step towards achieving the "top prize" of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel within the framework of the Abraham Accords.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan have yielded a significant breakthrough with the release of US citizen Amir Amiri. Amiri, who had been detained in Afghanistan since December 2024, was freed on Sunday through the mediation of Qatar. This release occurred after a visit by US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler and other American officials to Afghanistan.
Special Envoy Boehler's visit on Sunday, which facilitated Amiri's release, marks his continued engagement with the Taliban government regarding detained Americans. Boehler has previously met with Taliban officials in March 2025 to secure the release of another US citizen, George Glezmann, and in September 2025 to discuss other detainees, including Mahmood Habibi. These diplomatic overtures, while not constituting formal recognition of the Taliban administration, suggest a cautious shift towards engagement as Washington seeks to resolve issues related to its citizens and potentially explore broader relations, with the Taliban reportedly seeking concessions such as US investment in their minerals sector.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.