Our daily journey around the world

🇮🇱 Israel’s ruling party announced plans to vote on the first part of its controversial judicial reform bill as early as today. The measure, which is aimed at restricting the Supreme Court’s ability to strike down government or executive decisions on the basis of reasonability, has been the subject of mass protests across Israel since it was first introduced in January (including several demonstrations yesterday). Separately, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is currently recovering in a hospital following an emergency heart procedure yesterday that involved installing a pacemaker.

🇪🇺🛂🇺🇸 Attention US travelers to Europe: All 27 EU countries will require US citizens to obtain a temporary visa prior to entry starting in January 2024. The new online visa application, which costs $7.79 per traveler, will ask for basic information like travel plans, history, and certain security questions. Most US visa applicants should receive approval within an hour, though some may take up to 96 hours for further checks. If an application is denied, EU officials will send a message explaining their decision and how to appeal it. EU lawmakers say the new visa policy for Americans is in response to the US failing to implement visa-free travel for five EU member-countries.

🇪🇸 Spain held its first national election since 2019. While the center-right opposition People’s Party won more seats than any other party (136), they don’t have a clear path to the 176-seat majority needed to elect a new prime minister and form a government. But neither does the center-left ruling Socialists party, which won 122 seats. If neither party is able to secure a majority coalition in the coming months, Spain will be forced to hold another national election.