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🦠 China initiated screening for monkeypox, now known as mpox, for people and goods entering the country, to be enforced for at least 6 months, as per the General Administration of Customs. Travelers from countries with confirmed cases must report health status upon arrival if symptomatic, with possible random testing. The World Health Organization called for a coordinated international response to stop the disease spread, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earlier this month.

🚩 Heathrow airport border staff strike during the last weekend of August, a peak travel time. The protest is over shift changes announced in April. Employees previously struck for 7 days across April, May, and June. Union General Secretary Fran Heathcote indicates the strike could significantly disrupt end-of-summer travelers but can be avoided if employers address staff concerns.

💸 The airline industry saw a price hike slowdown in autumn, with an expected trend reversal driven by increased supply, particularly on long-haul and intercontinental routes. Data from Cirium, analyzed by Corriere della Sera, revealed a significant drop in ticket prices this summer, exceeding predictions. The trend reversal began in late spring when airlines on routes to the US or China faced inadequate load factors, leading to price reductions. In the third quarter, ticket price changes varied by country: India (-3%), Argentina (-14%), Brazil (-17%), USA (-20%), Canada (-23%), and China (-27%), with Japan as the exception, showing an 8% increase. Future cutbacks in routes and frequencies for the winter season are anticipated, with adjustments expected for summer 2025.

🚨 Restoration of the France-Italy railway line, collapsed due to a landslide near Saint-André on August 27, 2023, is now expected in early 2025. Sncf originally aimed for a fall 2024 reopening, but faced unexpected work complications. Daily, the route is used by around 30 international freight trains and 5-6 high-speed and local TER round trips. Specialized teams are working non-stop to recover thousands of tons of rock that buried the tunnel.