NEWS

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Spain's tourism boom reached record levels this summer, welcoming 21.8 million international visitors, according to official data released on Wednesday. However, the influx of tourists has sparked protests in some areas, highlighting the challenges of managing such a surge in visitor numbers. That figure was a 7.3 percent rise on the summer of 2023, the national statistics institute (INE) said. Spain, the world's second most popular tourist destination after France, received 10.9 million visitors in July and as many again in August, INE said.

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 Violent clashes erupted in Maputo on Monday as Mozambican police fired tear gas and live ammunition at opposition supporters, marking a dramatic escalation in post-election tensions following the suspicious deaths of two opposition figures. Independent presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, who had called for a nationwide shutdown to protest alleged electoral fraud, was forced to flee when police fired tear gas during his press conference near the site where his lawyer and a senior party official were killed Friday night. "The whole of last night, police cars were at my doorstep," Mondlane told reporters before the incident.

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Travelers seeking a quicker airport experience through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler Programs will now have to pay 20% more for the privilege. As of October 1, the cost for applying or renewing participation in programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI has risen from $100 to $120. This change standardizes fees across the board, though minors under 18 whose parents are enrolled in Global Entry are exempt from paying.

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African nations are steadily joining the global space race, driven by the falling costs of satellite launches and the increasing relevance of satellite technology for development. On August 16, 2024, Senegal marked a milestone by launching its first satellite, GaindeSAT-1A, from California aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This CubeSat, which was developed in collaboration with France’s Montpellier University, aims to enhance telecommunications and earth observation. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye called this a major step toward “technological sovereignty,” showing off the country’s ambitions in space technology.

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Despite heavy rain, thousands gathered in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday to celebrate Meskel, one of the country’s most significant religious holidays. Meskel commemorates the discovery of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, according to Ethiopian Orthodox Christian tradition. The festival, which marks the start of the religious year, drew large crowds to a central plaza for rituals, speeches, and performances.

The highlight of the event was the lighting of a massive bonfire, symbolizing the efforts of Queen Eleni, a medieval Ethiopian ruler, to find the true cross. Sunday school students reenacted the historical scene, with one young woman playing Queen Eleni, complete with a crown and a red cape.

Amid the celebratory atmosphere, heavy security was present, reflecting Ethiopia’s ongoing tensions in regions like Amhara and Oromia, where sporadic conflicts have persisted. Musicians playing traditional instruments, including the 10-stringed begena, were forced to shield their instruments from the downpour, while a choir adorned with symbolic flowers performed.

Abune Mathias, the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, urged unity and peace in his address to the crowd, echoing the sentiments of many attendees. Despite the rain and security concerns, the festival was a vibrant display of Ethiopian faith and culture, serving as a hopeful reminder of the country’s shared heritage.

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Dockworkers at the port in Montreal, the second-largest in Canada, ended a partial three-day strike as scheduled on Thursday, officials confirmed, with both sides summoned to mediation. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), 85,000 members strong, had launched its first strike since 1977 after weeks of deadlocked negotiations over a six-year labor agreement.