EUROPE

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In November 2023, authorities in Venice came up with a pilot program for their long-mooted plan to start charging day trippers to visit the city. This has been passed, and the program has finally been put in place, starting today, April 25. Signs advising arriving visitors of the new €5 fee for a test phase of 29 days through July have been put outside the main train station and other points of arrival. 

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Our planet is home to some truly extraordinary places that seem almost otherworldly in their beauty and strangeness. From mystical deserts and vibrant underwater worlds to alien-like landscapes and ethereal natural phenomena, these unreal places capture the
imagination and leave us in awe of the wonders of nature.

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In recent years, the Danish concept of "hygge"; has captured the imagination of people around the world seeking a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being in their lives. Pronounced "hoo-guh"; hygge encompasses a feeling of warmth, comfort, and intimacy, as well as an appreciation for life's simple pleasures. Rooted in Danish culture and tradition, hygge is not just a lifestyle trend but a philosophy of embracing the present moment and finding joy in everyday experiences.

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Southern Greece has been engulfed in an orange haze due to clouds of dust blowing in from the Sahara desert. This is one of the worst episodes of its kind to hit Greece since 2018. Similar clouds had already hit Greece, Switzerland and Southern France in late March and early April. The weather service in Greece has predicted that the skies will clear on Wednesday. However, the air quality has deteriorated in many parts of the country, and the dust cloud has reached as far north as Thessaloniki. The people with respiratory conditions have been advised to limit their time outdoors, wear protective masks and avoid physical exercise until the dust clears.

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Spain is the second most visited country in the world after France. ''Spain's tourism sector is expected to post record revenues again in 2024,''  the Exceltur Tourism Association said on Tuesday, adding it was concerned at growing anger in the country against overtourism.

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A parliamentary researcher, Christopher Cash,  was charged under the Official Secrets Act. Cash and another man, Christopher Berry, have been charged with spying for China after allegedly providing information which could be "useful to an enemy".