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Spanish Coast Guard Rescues 86 African migrants at sea
The Spanish coast guard rescued 86 migrants from a boat that had been missing for more than a week on Monday. The vessel was found 70 nautical miles (130 kilometers) southwest of the Canary Islands, and was carrying people from sub-Saharan Africa.
The boat is thought to have left Senegal on June 23, four days before a larger vessel carrying an estimated 200 people went missing. The smaller boat sailed from Kafountine, a coastal town in Senegal that is roughly 1,700 kilometers from Tenerife.
The coast guard was assisted by a container ship in the rescue operation. Both vessels went to Gran Canaria island. Two other boats carrying dozens of migrants are still missing. Walking Borders, a migrant aid group, told the BBC that one of these boats had about 65 people on board, and the other up to 60.
The rescue comes as the number of migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea has increased in recent months. In the first half of 2023, more than 10,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Johannesburg Snows for First Time in a Decade
South Africans woke up to a rare sight of snow and sleet in Johannesburg on Monday, a phenomenon that has not been seen in over a decade.
The cold front that brought the snow is expected to continue through the week, and meteorologists are warning people to keep warm.
“No major disruptions have been caused by the snowfall at this stage,” a spokesman for the South African Weather Service (SAWS) told the press. However, SAWS advised farmers to provide shelter for their livestock.
Initiation schools in the Eastern Cape, where the snow has also been reported, are being urged to be extra vigilant as they keep watch over hundreds of teenage boys undergoing traditional circumcision rites on isolated mountainsides.
The snow has brought a sense of magic to Johannesburg, as people have flocked to the streets to marvel at the rare sight.
“It’s like something out of a fairytale,” one resident told the local media. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
The snow is a welcome respite from the hot, dry weather that has been gripping South Africa in recent months.
“It’s so refreshing to see some snow,” said another resident. “It’s a reminder that winter is here.”
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo to Seek Third Term in Office
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba Monday announced that he will seek a third term in office in presidential elections planned for August.
The Bongo family has already ruled Gabon for 55 years. Ali Bongo took over in 2009 from his father Omar Bongo, who had himself been in power for more than 40 years.
The last elections held in 2016 were marred by claims of fraud. Mr Bongo defeated opposition candidate Jean Ping by less than 6,000 votes.
Mr Ping declared himself the winner and contested those results.
His passport was later confiscated and he was only allowed to leave the country this year after a five-year travel ban.
Ugandan security forces alert over terrorist threat
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said on Monday that while there was no specific information about an impending attack, there are concerns about low levels of alertness in public places.
“We call upon Ugandans to recognize that terrorists have not stopped trying to harm us,” Enanga said. “We have no information to indicate a specific threat or attack, but we urge the public to remain vigilant as they go about their daily lives.”
Enanga urged residents to be especially cautious in recreational places such as bars and restaurants, as well as other facilities like shopping malls and schools.
“We continue to see very low levels of vigilance at selected venues, especially bars, restaurants, shopping malls, schools and people in the transport sector,” he said. “If you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity or individuals to law enforcement officials.”
The warning comes less than two weeks after the United Kingdom issued a travel advisory over the likelihood of a terrorist attack in Uganda.
The UK urged its nationals to be vigilant and said there might be increased security checks in public places and hotels as security will be heightened in the country.
“Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Uganda,” the advisory said. “Attacks could be indiscriminate or against foreign nationals or places frequented by foreign nationals.”
“You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like hotels, transport hubs, restaurants and bars, and during major gatherings like sporting or religious events and when in close proximity to government buildings or security installations such as police stations.”
Zanzibar begins crackdown on men with braided hair
Zanzibar authorities Wednesday announced the beginning of enforcing a ban on men wearing their hair in braided styles. The ban, which dates back to 2015, was recently enforced after Zanzibar’s Culture Executive Secretary Omar Adam said that it flouts the law, local traditions, and threatens people’s morals.
Adam dismissed concerns that the move was targeting the LGBTQ community in Zanzibar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, saying that the ban is about protecting Zanzibar’s culture from outside influences.
The ban imposes a punishment of over $400 or six months imprisonment or both on any man who enters or lives in Zanzibar with braided hair faces. The authorities have said that the enforcement will apply equally to visitors.
Two months ago, the government banned 16 book titles and the use of rainbow colors in schools claiming that they advocated for LGBTQ rights.
The ban on men wearing braided hair has been met with criticism from human rights groups, who say that it is discriminatory and violates the rights of men to express themselves freely. They also argue that the ban is based on outdated stereotypes about gender and sexuality.
It remains to be seen how the ban will be enforced and whether it will be challenged in court. However, the move has highlighted the growing tensions between Zanzibar’s traditional culture and the modern world.
South Africa Named World’s Best Tourist Destination
Readers of the UK’s Telegraph newspaper voted South Africa as the world’s best tourist destination. The survey, which was conducted in 2023, asked readers to rate countries on a variety of factors, including natural beauty, cultural attractions, and overall value for money.
South Africa was praised for its diverse landscape, which includes everything from the snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains to the beaches of Durban. The country’s capital, Cape Town, was also singled out for its beauty, with the Telegraph calling it “a supermodel at the foot of Table Mountain.”
Africa’s most industrialized country is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Robben Island and the Cradle of Humankind, and it was the first country in Africa to achieve majority rule.
Kenya and Botswana also ranked highly in the Telegraph’s survey, coming in at seventh and tenth place, respectively. Kenya is known for its stunning scenery, including the Great Rift Valley and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Botswana is home to the world-famous Okavango Delta, one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
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