The United States is preparing to significantly broaden its travel-ban policy, with officials confirming that the list of restricted countries is expected to grow to more than 30. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem disclosed the development during an interview on Fox News, stating that the administration is evaluating a substantial expansion. While she declined to identify the additional nations under…
Canadian travel into the United States took another dramatic downturn in August 2025, with Statistics Canada reporting a 34 percent year-over-year decline in automobile trips compared with August 2024. This steep drop follows an even sharper fall in July 2025, when cross-border car journeys slid 36.9 percent, marking the lowest levels in recent decades. The downturn has now persisted for…
The “One Big Beautiful Bill”, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced a $250 “visa integrity fee” that applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants. The fee is mandatory for individuals seeking tourist, student, exchange, or temporary work visas. Officials state that the measure is intended to ensure compliance with visa conditions, including timely departure from the United States.…
The Government of Nepal has launched a two-year waiver on climbing permit fees for 97 Himalayan peaks situated mainly in the western provinces of Karnali and Sudurpashchim. The policy, which took effect in July 2025, is designed to draw climbers away from the overcrowded eastern and central routes and encourage exploration of less developed regions. Government Initiative to Promote Lesser-Known…
A significant movement is emerging among U.S. retirees: Americans are increasingly choosing to spend their retirement years abroad, motivated by soaring domestic living costs, limited Social Security, and higher-quality living overseas. With the typical Social Security benefit hovering at just above $2,000 per month and U.S. living expenses often exceeding $4,600 per month, many find the financial pressures untenable. Countries…
A growing number of affluent Americans are booking overseas trips to purchase high-end goods in Europe, sidestepping the impact of rising tariffs on luxury imports. Items such as designer handbags, Swiss watches, and high-fashion apparel are in particularly high demand. According to travel advisors, clients are combining leisure travel with planned shopping experiences, turning what could be an additional cost…
Southwest Airlines is preparing to introduce significant modifications to its seating policy for plus-size passengers, changes that will take effect on January 27, 2026. The revisions coincide with the airline’s broader shift to assigned seating, replacing its long-standing open-seating model. Under the new rules, passengers who cannot sit comfortably between the armrests of a single seat must purchase an additional…
