Global Zoom: California Town for Sale, Italian Tax Cuts, and African IPO
Globes' global review covers Bridgeville, California being offered for sale, Italy scrapping its annual car tax ahead of 2027 elections, Africa's richest man launching a massive IPO, and Japan's centenarian population hitting a record high.
Globes' "Global Zoom" column presents the stories making headlines around the world each Thursday, from crucial news to those that might have flown under the radar. This week: the Italian government's election gift to drivers and the historic IPO of Africa's richest man.
United States: Entire California Town Offered for Sale
Bridgeville, a tiny town in northern California that made global history when it was sold on eBay in 2002, is once again up for sale with an asking price of $1.1 million. Bridgeville is an unincorporated community without its own mayor, council, or local government, falling directly under Humboldt County's jurisdiction. However, the roughly 320 dunams of land on which it sits are entirely privately owned by a single individual.
Unlike a standard town where properties are individually owned and a municipality manages public spaces, Bridgeville vests legal ownership of everything in one person. The current sellers are an elderly couple living in southern California who say they are looking for the "right" buyer. In 2002, the town was auctioned online before changing hands multiple times through failed ventures ranging from a spa resort to an eco-community. Today, only about 25 residents live in Bridgeville.
Italy: Government Scraps Unpopular Car Tax
The Italian government announced Wednesday that it will eliminate the annual vehicle tax (bollo) for approximately 14.5 million cars and motorcycles starting next year, a move costing the state treasury over 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion). The decision comes as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni seeks to shore up her political standing ahead of national elections slated for 2027.
Meloni's conservative center-right coalition currently trails the center-left bloc in polls and faces mounting pressure from a surging far-right party, National Future. "Today, the government is abolishing one of the most hated taxes by Italians," Meloni said in an official statement. Critics argue the move is designed to distract public attention from soaring energy and fuel prices while Italy's public debt is projected to hit nearly 139% of GDP.
Nigeria: Africa's Richest Man Launches Massive IPO
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, Africa's wealthiest person, has launched the continent's largest-ever initial public offering, offering the public a stake in his massive refinery in a deal expected to raise up to $2.1 billion. The IPO on the Nigerian Exchange in Lagos represents about 3% of the refinery's shares, with Dangote stating he wants to give ordinary Nigerian citizens a chance to share in the facility's success.
Opened in 2024, the refinery is one of the largest in the world and supplies over 70% of Nigeria's energy consumption. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, but until the refinery opened, it was forced to import most of its refined fuel due to a lack of local refining capacity.
Japan: Centenarian Population Reaches World Record
The number of people aged 100 and older in Japan has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, the Ministry of Health announced this week. Japan is now home to 107,677 centenarians—the highest number in the world—with the overwhelming majority being women. Experts attribute Japan's remarkable longevity to a healthy diet rich in fish, vegetables, and rice, alongside an active lifestyle.
This milestone comes against the backdrop of a deeper demographic crisis, with Japan's fertility rate plunging to a record low of 1.14 last year. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has labeled the demographic trend a "silent emergency" as the government struggles to reverse falling birth rates.
