Life & Health

Syria: Canada amends economic sanctions — 24 entities removed from list

On February 18, 2026, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs announced amendments to the Special Economic Measures for Syria. The changes…

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Bahrain travel warning upgraded by UK FCDO — heightened regional tensions cited

The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has expanded its urgent travel advisory for Bahrain. The official warning cites…

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East Timor: New 2026 flight routes improve access from North America

Connectivity to East Timor is improving significantly in 2026, with new routes making the journey from North America easier. Batik…

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South Korea extends K-ETA visa waiver for Australians and Kiwis — until December 31, 2026

The South Korean government has extended its temporary exemption of the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) for nationals of Australia…

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Cambodia-Thailand Border Travel — Avoid All Travel Advisories Issued

Multiple Western governments have updated official advisories in February 2026, recommending to "avoid all travel" for areas within 50 kilometers…

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Palau: Digital entry form with QR code now mandatory for all arrivals

All travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, must now complete the mandatory Palau Entry Form online within 72 hours of…

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Nepal flights: Book now for April and May treks before post-election demand rises

February is the optimal time to book flights from Australia and New Zealand for travel to Nepal in April and…

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Papua New Guinea: Air Niugini cancels Boeing 787 order — shifts to A220s for regional expansion

Air Niugini officially cancelled its order for two Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners on February 18, 2026. This decision impacts the airline's…

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Japan’s departure tax triples in July 2026 — adds $55 per family

Japan's international departure tax, currently set at ¥1,000, will triple to ¥3,000 starting July 1, 2026. This increase applies to…

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Mongolia extends visa-free travel for Australians and Kiwis — through 2026

The Mongolian government has officially extended its visa-free policy for citizens of Australia and New Zealand for the entirety of…

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Bhutan implements 5% GST on all tour packages effective January 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, Bhutan introduced a mandatory 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on all tourism-related services, including hotels,…

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Tuvalu: Inaugural national cultural festival in May 2026 — high demand expected

Tuvalu will host its first-ever national cultural festival in the capital, Funafuti, in May 2026. This five-day event is designed…

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Thailand extends visa-free entry to 60 days for Australians and New Zealanders

Australians and New Zealanders can now enter Thailand for tourism for up to 60 days without a visa. This policy,…

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GCC ‘Schengen-style’ single tourist visa on track for 2026 — simplifies multi-country travel

A unified "Schengen-style" tourist visa for all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is expected to be introduced in 2026.…

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Indonesia volcano alerts updated February 2026 — check exclusion zones

As of February 12, 2026, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to within several kilometers…

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Jordan: Ramadan impacts travel from February 28 to March 29, 2026

The holy month of Ramadan is expected to take place from approximately February 28 to March 29, 2026. Travelers visiting…

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Taiwan: Starlux launches first European route to Prague in August 2026 — new premium option

Taiwan's boutique carrier Starlux Airlines will begin its inaugural European service between Taipei and Prague on August 1, 2026. The…

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Israel: Mandatory ETA-IL travel authorization required for 2026 travel — adds $8 USD per application

Effective for travel in 2026, Israel now requires a mandatory Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) for visitors from visa-exempt countries, including…

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China: Australian government warns of new embassy phone scams

In a January 2026 update, the Australian government's Smartraveller service issued a specific warning about phone scams targeting travelers in…

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Kiribati entry simplified — health form scrapped as of January 2026

As of January 1, 2026, Kiribati has discontinued its online health declaration form. This pandemic-era requirement is no longer necessary…

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