Chicago-based saxophonist Joshua Shapiro purchased an abandoned apartment in the village of Latronico, Italy, as part of his plan to eventually move away from the United States. Despite encountering unexpected challenges such as cultural clashes over furniture and the presence of elderly nuns as tenants, Shapiro is drawn to the remote, mountainous village's slower-paced lifestyle and creative potential. He has spent around $10,730 on renovations so far and is exempt from property and waste disposal taxes for five years, making the purchase a bargain compared to Chicago's real estate prices.
An American expat living in New Zealand was amazed by the existence of electric kettles, a common kitchen essential in Australia and New Zealand but not in the US. In a TikTok video, he demonstrated how the electric kettle works and expressed his love for its convenience compared to stovetop kettles. The video went viral, with many viewers expressing disbelief that Americans don't have electric kettles. The expat also shared other culture shocks he experienced in New Zealand, including driving on the left side of the road and the use of certain words.
A 71-year-old American expat, William Thomas Worth, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his Filipina girlfriend, Mila Loslos, after her body was found inside a plastic water drum at their home near Manila. Mila's body had been sealed in a garbage bag and duct tape inside the drum, which had been stored inside a cupboard in the home. The suspect claimed he did not know where Mila was, but her son became suspicious after smelling a foul odor inside the house and reported her missing. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.