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South African travellers are advised to postpone trips to Mozambique as protests and safety concerns intensify.
As escalating protests continue in Mozambique, the Association of Southern African Travel Agents (Asata) has warned travellers planning trips to the country.
Speaking to The Citizen, Asata CEO Otto De Vries confirmed that most border posts and all airports remain operational, and flights run as scheduled.
While all flights and the Kosi Bay border operate, Flight Centre Travel Group’s Customer Experience Leader Lynette Machiri cautioned travellers against travelling to Mozambique.
“Unless there is an absolute need for it, consider travelling at a later time.
“The latest travel advisories flag a high risk of protests and demonstrations across Mozambique, and we know that there is an opposition march planned in Maputo [on Thursday]. Avoid hotspots, avoid being out on the roads, stay away from crowds or gatherings, keep an eye on local media, and adhere to travel advisories,” she said.
Earlier this week, the Border Management Authority (BMA) temporally closed the Lebombo port of entry as a security measure for South Africans.
ALSO READ: Lebombo border closed amid violent protests in Mozambique [VIDEO]
Travellers should consider postponing trips
De Vries said Asata is actively monitoring developments and the impact of the protests on travel to ensure the safety of all travellers.
“We’re particularly concerned about the high risk of protests and demonstrations across Mozambique, especially in major cities like Maputo where opposition marches are taking place.”
De Vries added that given the unpredictable nature of the current circumstances, travellers should consider postponing trips until the situation stabilises unless it is essential.
“For those with immediate travel plans to Mozambique, we strongly recommend consulting with their Asata-accredited travel advisor to assess the situation and discuss potential alternatives,” he said.
According to Southern Africa’s freight news, protests are ‘extremely’ volatile in areas such as Maputo; Ressano Garcia, a small area in the Maputo province, and the N4 Maputo Corridor between South Africa and Mozambique with about 630km distance.
ALSO READ: Analyst calls SA to action on Mozambique stability amid Lebombo border closure
Impact on Mozambique’s tourism
Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) noted that key tourism destinations in Mozambique remain unaffected by the unrest in urban areas.
Satsa CEO David Frost said it is a challenging time for their regional tourism partners, urging travellers to postpone rather than cancel as it could have a dire impact on Mozambique’s tourism industry.
“We recommend that people avoid travel over the next two days – and that visitors and operators remain flexible, rescheduling trips wherever possible,” he added.
Opposition leaders suggested that the week-long protest would culminate in a mass demonstration in Maputo on Thursday.
“While we hope things remain calm, it’s difficult to predict. So, the message to travellers remains: stay vigilant, stay safe and follow the advice of your accommodation providers, operators and travel partners in Mozambique,” Frost concluded.
NOW READ: SA authorities on high alert after violent protests in Mozambique
Do you drag yourself out of bed to exercise before work, or go to the gym on your way home? Does a lunchtime walk rev you up for the afternoon, or is it yoga you rely on in the evening to relax? We all know exercise is good for us, but increasing evidence suggests when we exercise can also have an impact our mood, fitness and health.On Tuesday, a study published in the journal BMC Medicine that tracked the activity of 86,252 people aged 42 to 79, revealed participants who had two daily peaks of activity at 8am and 6pm were associated with an 11 per cent reduced risk of bowel cancer, compared to those who were active at other times of the day.Lead investigator Professor Dr Michael Leitzmann, of the University of Regensburg, Germany, said the findings could “open new avenues for targeted prevention strategies.” The reason for the reduced risk isn’t clear, but begs the question: could we benefit psychologically or physically by adapting the timing of our exercise routine? And if so, how?Aerobic exercise in the early morningWorking up a sweat first thing serves several purposes, if you can face it. Not only is it often the most practical way to get a workout out of the way before being waylaid, but neuroscientist Andrew Huberman says it will also help us feel more alert by raising our body temperature, which is lowest in the morning.Personal trainer Kate Rowe-Ham, author of Owning Your Menopause, says lifting weights on waking four times a week, makes her “more energised and motivated for the rest of the day.” She points out that resistance training is proven to balance blood sugar and, long term, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. “It leaves me less stressed.”Exercising early can also be more efficient for controlling weight – research in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found 45 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise can elevate the metabolic rate for 14 hours, meaning you’re burning more calories during the hours you consume them, as opposed to overnight, while another study on 35 women in the same journal found when participants exercised in the morning they were more likely to increase their activity throughout the day.“Research suggests there may be a slight advantage to doing aerobic exercise earlier in the day because it enhances bloodflow and oxygen to the brain which can improve your productivity,” adds Arj Thiruchelvam, sports scientist and coach at Performance Physique. In terms of boosting feelings of wellbeing, he says resistance training and aerobic exercise are likely to be equally beneficial, “because both trigger the release of endorphins, which is the most important factor in improving mood.”Post-breakfast for longer workoutsWhile studies have found exercising on an empty stomach, whatever the time of day, can increase fat burning by as much as 70 per cent, this need not be prescriptive. “I have to eat a protein breakfast – usually scrambled eggs – up to half an hour before because my workouts are long and I don’t want to run out of energy,” says personal trainer Cornel Chin, who does a two-hour weights session at 11am every Saturday. “This fits into my lifestyle. During the week I speedwalk and do bursts of bodyweight exercises in between coaching clients.”Lunchtime walk in the parkA lunchtime session, meanwhile, can help you cope with the demands of work, especially if done outdoors during our ever-dwindling daylight hours. A two week 2017 Finnish study found a 15-minute walk in the park helped participants more than indoor relaxation exercises, making them feel more relaxed and detached from their work, whereas the “relaxation group experienced only an increase in their feelings of relaxation,” said Kalevi Korpela, professor of psychology at Finland’s Tampere University. Amanda Daley, health psychologist at Loughborough University, says “exercising at lunch time can help clear your head after a morning of work or other activities (and) boost your mood and brain power in the afternoons.”Read NextResistance training in the afternoon It may also carry advantages for our physical health. Last year, a major study in the journal Nature Communications found that while moderate to vigorous physical activity at any time of day is linked to lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, those who exercised between 11am and 5pm had a lower risk of premature death from all causes than those who exercised in the morning or evening.The reports’ authors speculated that this may be because blood pressure recovers faster in the afternoon, or because of implications for meal timings – a walk after a meal, for example, has been found to control blood sugar levels – but admitted “the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated”.What we do know is that our body temperature peaks in the afternoon, “and being slightly warmer makes muscle fibres react quicker, which can improve our performance,” says Thiruchelvam. “This is why athletes may want to train then because they’ll be slightly more powerful. Studies show resistance training can be more effective in the afternoon.”HIIT in the evening for some…Reaction times are also often quickest at this point, potentially improving performance in competitive sports and stop-start exercise such as High Intensity Interval Training. Indeed, research by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found American football players usually played better in games starting at 8 or 9pm than they did in games starting at 1 to 4pm.This was due to them being at the peak of their circadian rhythm – the 24-hour internal clock. Yet the time of day you’re happiest exercising will depend in part on your chronotype, or your natural propensity to fall asleep at certain times, and if you’re an early bird who wakes at 5am, for example, evening exercise is still likely to feel a challenge.…but less is best for most in the PMThe most recent research overturns the long-held belief that evening exercise can interfere with sleep, however – and found it may even help us nod off quicker. This summer, a study of 30 participants found those who did three-minute bursts of body weight exercises such as squats and calf raises every 30 minutes over a four-hour period starting between 5pm and 5.30pm slept for an average of 27 minutes longer than the sedentary control group.The exception appears to be doing high-intensity exercise training, which releases the stress hormone cortisol, and is thought to reduce sleep quality when done close to bedtime. Yet any impact is likely to be minimal, says Thiruchelvam, “and it’s still better for you than scrolling on your phone.” He stresses, however, that exercising when tired is more likely to result in injury: “Mental and physical fatigue is when slip-ups occur.” Yoga or stretching before bedIf cardio sounds too strenuous, consider evening stretching – one four-month study on patients with chronic insomnia found stretching three times a week from 5pm to 6pm improved symptoms. A 2019 meta-analysis, meanwhile, found mind-body therapies including yoga and tai chi can be “effective in treating insomnia and improving sleep quality.”Yoga has been shown to increase levels of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep cycle, and is “a great addition to a bedtime routine,” says Rowe-Ham, although research isn’t clear as to whether it needs to be practised in the evening to be of benefit.What’s “vital,” stresses Thiruchelvam, is that we exercise, full stop, and no study should “put people off exercising at their only opportunity.” Rowe-Ham concurs: “I don’t want people to think they’re at greater risk of cancer because they can’t exercise at certain times, or that there’s no point. Movement is beneficial, whatever the hour.”
Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA Vietnamese tourist sparked a controversy after she posted pictures of herself doing yoga poses in front of South Korea’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, a national heritage site.Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal residence and the seat of government during the Joseon period, from 1392-1910.Kieu Hoa, 37, from Hanoi visited South Korea late in October and posed near Gwanghwamun, the main and largest gate of the palace.After she posted her photos, she received criticism from both South Korea as well as her native country Vietnam, with many questioning whether her behaviour or her clothing were appropriate considering the palace is both a sacred and a cultural institution for Koreans.“The palace is a sacred place in their country, much like our Hue Imperial City. Her behaviour is disgraceful,” said one user. “Rude and offensive. Such acts create a negative impression on foreigners about the image of Vietnamese people,” said another, according to Vietnamese online newspaper VnExpress.Ms Hoa defended herself saying she didn’t break any rules and wasn’t cautioned by palace security either. “Everyone has their own preferences, and we should respect differences,” she said.Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor of Seoul’s Sungshin Women’s University, spoke about the potential damage to national cultural institutions, and wrote on his social media: “Vietnamese media pointed out that she acted inappropriately at a Korean historical site and South Korean netizens also criticised her.“She is free to practice yoga in any country or region but it is clearly wrong to do yoga against the wall of cultural assets of other countries. Her alleged assertion that such conduct would not be a problem is wrong.”“Gyeongbok Palace is a national treasure of South Korea and its people. Her yoga done deliberately in front of the palace was clearly an insult to the Korean people,” a Yonhap reader commented.The Royal Palaces and Tombs Centre, a public institution affiliated with the Korea Heritage Service, said on Thursday that there are no legal grounds to punish Ms Hoa since the spot she practiced at was not within the palace grounds.“We’ll take action if we discover any behaviour that is not appropriate for the palace’s image,” the centre said, according to Yonhap. “Police will be notified if any physical impact other than simple physical contact is applied to the wall of the palace.”This incident comes amid a larger conversation in Vietnam over people doing yoga in cultural and public spaces.In October, there was controversy after foreign tourists shot a video of a woman doing yoga on Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam. Many said her yoga outfit was not proper and she should have dressed more modestly. In May, a group of women were fined for causing disruption to traffic after they filmed themselves doing yoga in the middle of a street in Thai Binh.
‘Everything begins with a book’ is the suggestive slogan that the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024), the most important in the Arab world, has chosen for its 43rd edition, which will be held until 17 November.
With 2,520 publishers from 112 countries participating, the fair is significant for book lovers and literary professionals. Among the highlights are the 400 authors who will be present to sign their books and engage with readers, creating an interactive space where literature comes to life. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with the writers behind some of the year’s most anticipated releases.
The fair will feature a solid regional presence, with the UAE leading the Arab world and hosting 234 publishers. Other notable Arab participants include Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria. Internationally, the UK and India stand out with the largest delegations of 81 and 52 publishers, respectively.
The results are still trickling in, state-by-state, but the overall outcome is clear. Four years after he was kicked out of the White House, and accused of launching an “attempted coup” in an angry response to the electorate rejecting him, Donald Trump will be the 47th US president after sweeping both the popular vote and electoral college.In his acceptance speech in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump took time to praise two key figures in the alternative media space: podcaster Joe Rogan and social media owner Elon Musk. The mentions of the two entrepreneurs highlighted how important Trump thought they were to his re-election bid.But is he correct?“It is impossible to know what real impact things like Trump’s appearance on Rogan’s podcast truly made,” said Steven Buckley, a lecturer in digital media sociology at City, University of London, who specialises in US politics. But it seems like it didn’t harm things for a mercurial, countercultural campaigner like Trump.Buckley believes that not embracing alternative sources of media in the way Trump did harmed the Harris campaign. She “clearly should have done more media hits in both traditional and alternative spaces,” he said. Read Next“I believe Trump’s campaign were less afraid of these alternative media spaces and realised that not only did the free-wheeling, less restrictive nature benefit Trump and his surrogates, but that traditional media would often cover these appearances anyway.”It’s clear that social media played a big part in the election – and the support of Elon Musk. The owner of X called the site “the de facto public town square” in 2022 when he launched his takeover bid.Trump was welcomed back onto X after Musk bought it for $44bn (£34bn) in October 2022. In recent weeks Musk, who has campaigned personally for Trump, appeared ubiquitous in users’ timelines – something that might not have been possible had he not had absolute control of the platform.Trump also chose a digital advertising strategy that appealed to his base of supporters on X, leaving spending on other platforms to be dominated by the Kamala Harris campaign – a strategy that didn’t work for his defeated opponent.Republican-leaning advertisers were six out of the 10 biggest advertisers on X so far this year, according to data compiled by FWIW News at the start of November. The campaign’s @TeamTrump account on X spent nearly $1m (£776,000) reaching would-be voters.Within X, there’s a belief that the platform played an integral part in Trump’s election for the second time, one employee told i. “Look at the messages Elon has been putting out there overnight,” said the employee, who spoke under the condition of anonymity. “He’s pointed to X being the signal of public opinion and how it has replaced media.”One post reads: “You are the media now.”
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1854045379408326909
That presentation of X and other social and non-traditional forms of media as replacing, and in opposition to, the traditional media is notable. So too is the idea that Trump somehow ran an unconventional campaign, as many commentators have put it, in choosing to target podcasters and his base on social media.“It’s interesting that traditional media is calling Trump’s comms strategy as unconventional,” said Buckley. “It’s only unconventional in their eyes, but I think to voters Trump’s strategy seemed very normal, reasonable and expected.”The former and future president knew he had to energise his base in order to win enough seats to assure victory, and focused on that, even while his in-person speeches were sometimes poorly attended.Yet the clipped-up depictions of the events played well on social media. And with 43 per cent of Americans telling the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism that they avoid news in one way or another, social and alternative media was where they got their information.Yet despite the importance of Musk, Rogan and the alternative media space that has cropped up – including Trump’s own Truth Social social network – to help promote an alternative view of reality (or the honest view for Trump’s supporters), traditional media still played its role.The uproar over the Washington Post‘s decision not to endorse a candidate demonstrates its perceived influence. An unprecedented 250,000 of the newspaper’s two million subscribers cancelled after Jeff Bezos, the Amazon owner who bought it in 2013, reportedly intervened to stop the board endorsing Harris. Exactly why is unclear. Bezos said it was about restoring trust in the media, while sceptics believe he is another tech billionaire running scared of Trump.But Trump found a way to use traditional media to his advantage, telling a rally before the election: “The Washington Post and the LA Times, they’re not endorsing anybody. You know what they are really saying? They are saying this Democrat is no good and they think I’m doing a great job. They just don’t want to say it.”Lachlan Murdoch, who has sole control of the Fox and News Corp businesses since taking over from his father Rupert, has released financials showing record political advertising across the Fox network. Americans returned to traditional TV news as the tight election race generated more interest.The country’s leading cable news channel, averaging 1.6 million viewers a day throughout October, helped promote Trump as a viable contender for the presidential election, even as he decried the television channel for not doing enough to support his campaign.With Fox News watched by political independents, as well as Republican voters, Harris sat down with host Bret Baier for an interview.And CNN, another traditional media outlet, was the platform for the first and only televised debate between Trump and Joe Biden that ultimately prompted the party to switch candidates for this election. The comparatively last-minute replacement was triggered by Biden’s poor performance on traditional media.Yet there’s no denying that the balance of power has shifted. In a society where anyone can get whatever view of the world they agree with, no matter how detached from reality it may be in some cases, the importance of a single, mainstream voice becomes less important. Or as Fox News’s Baier put it a little after 2am local time this morning: “Maybe it’s the future? It’s Elon Musk. It’s Joe Rogan and podcasts.”
The Home Office has issued new guidance for customers on travelling into or out of the UK with an eVisa.
The UK’s immigration system is going ‘digital by default’ by 2025. This means the government is replacing physical immigration documents with a digital proof of immigration status called an eVisa. It is free and straightforward to switch to an eVisa and affected individuals must take action before 31 December 2024.
Once you have set up your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and obtained your eVisa, it is important to check your details are correct and kept up to date, especially when it comes to international travel.
Below, we address some frequently asked questions about travelling with an eVisa.
What is an eVisa?
An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa.
You can find out more about the switch to eVisas and what action you need to take in the Home Office guidance here.
How will the switch to eVisas impact international travel?
If you currently hold a physical document to evidence your immigration status in the UK, you must obtain an eVisa if you wish to travel internationally from 1 January 2025. With an eVisa, international travel will be easier, because UK Border Force and international air, sea and rail carriers will be able to automatically access your immigration information that is held on your UKVI account, to verify your permission.
You can use an eVisa to travel to the UK together with your current passport which must be linked to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you should continue to carry your physical document if you have it, for example your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), until it expires.
Before you travel internationally, it is important to check your eVisa has all the correct details. You may be delayed or denied boarding by carriers if your information is not correct. You will still need to carry your current passport with you.
How can I check my eVisa details are correct?
If you are travelling out of the UK or travelling into the UK and you have an eVisa, you will need to check the information in your UKVI account is correct before you travel.
You can do this by:
If your status is displaying incorrectly on your eVisa, you should report the error to the Home Office here.
I have dual nationality – which passport should I add to my UKVI account?
If you have dual nationality and neither of those nationalities is British or Irish, you will need to add the passport you will use to travel to your UKVI account. If you have a passport for both nationalities, you can add both to your account.
If you are a British or Irish citizen holding dual nationality or if you have the right of abode, you will need to show your carrier (for example, an airline, rail company or other transport provider) either:
Your British or Irish passport
Another passport containing a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode.
How can I add a different passport to my UKVI account?
If you are outside the UK and need to add a different passport to your UKVI account, you can do this using the update your UKVI account details service, as long as none of your personal details have changed.
If your personal details have changed, you will not be able to use this service to add your new passport from outside the UK. You should consider applying for a temporary visa which lets you re-enter the UK once only. Once you are inside the UK, you will be able to add your new passport to your UKVI account and update your personal details.
Personal details include your name, nationality, date of birth and sex.
What should I do if I am unable to access my eVisa?
If you are outside the UK and you cannot access your eVisa, you can get help to recover access to your UKVI account.
If you are unable to recover your account but have a valid physical document that shows you have permission to travel, you can show that to the carrier.
If you are unable to recover your account and have no other evidence of your permission to travel, you should consider applying for a temporary visa which lets you re-enter the UK once only.
Is there anything else I should be aware of when travelling with an eVisa?
Travellers should be aware it is your responsibility to check the entry, exit and transit requirements of other countries you are visiting. You may be asked to show evidence of your UK immigration status to authorities in other countries. You should check what they will require before you travel, but they may accept evidence such as a share code from the view and prove service, viewing your UKVI account on a screen, or a physical document confirming your status and permissions.
You should also check that the passenger information you have provided to your transport carrier matches the details on your passport or immigration permission.
How can I access further support regarding my eVisa?
If you need help with creating your UKVI account and getting access to your eVisa, you can contact the Home Office.
Alternatively, our team of immigration experts here at Smith Stone Walters is on hand to guide you through the process.
To speak to an immigration advisor, please contact us today.
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Water slide thrill-seekers are quaking in their swimsuits over a terrifying waterpark chute in Greece that promises ‘sheer terror’ due to its extreme drop. The jaw-dropping attraction, reportedly situated in Rhodes, boasts almost a 90-degree plummet which is certainly not for the faint of heart. An Instagram clip from @uniladadventure showcasing the severe slide has…
JK Rowling created one of the most famous book series of all time. The Harry Potter novels have become a staple on people’s bookshelves – but despite there being so many of them, some editions are still highly sought-after by collectors. So how can you spot if your old books are valuable or not? Helpfully,…