Hong Kong travellers are increasingly choosing mainland China for long-haul transit to Europe, avoiding Middle Eastern routes due to safety concerns from the US-Israel war on Iran and higher airfares. This shift has led to group discounts from mainland airlines, with some routes offering cheaper fares.
Canadian spending on travel to the US dropped by $3.3bn in 2025 due to Trump's policies, with travelers opting for other international destinations instead.
Over 10,000 people evacuated in southwestern France due to a rapid wildfire near Bordeaux, while Spain battles one of its largest blazes on record, burning 32,000 hectares. Southern Europe faces widespread wildfires and heatwaves, with Italy, Greece, and Cyprus also affected, and the UK experiencing prolonged dry weather.
Over 10,000 people evacuated from southwestern France due to a rapid wildfire near Bordeaux, while other blazes rage across Spain, Italy, and Greece, fueled by heatwaves, prompting calls for climate action from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Major entertainment apps like Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok are converging across formats, using AI to enhance content recommendations and capture more user time. This strategic shift aims to make them default apps for all entertainment needs, driving revenue and user lock-in.
Hong Kong maintained its 17th spot in QS's Best Student Cities list for 2027, but high living costs, East Asia's steepest tuition fees, and limited accommodation continue to deter international applicants. The city ranked sixth for university strength.
Bingson John, 69, was arrested in Bhubaneswar after allegedly defrauding a five-star hotel in Raipur of Rs 63,755 and a laptop. He confessed to modeling his decades-long criminal lifestyle on serial killer Charles Sobhraj, posing as guests in hotels across India under fake identities.
Super Typhoon Bavi has led to the cancellation of over 40 outbound flights from Hong Kong to Taiwan, mainland China, and Japan, with some carriers waiving change fees for affected passengers.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) has lowered its growth forecast for outbound tourist flow to 8% from an initial 15% due to weaker demand. Turkey, Egypt, and Thailand remain the most popular destinations.
The Vancouver Canucks are actively seeking trade options for star center Elias Pettersson, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers reportedly showing interest. Pettersson has six years remaining on his contract with a $11.6 million AAV.
Package holiday operator Jet2 sees a 7.1% rise in summer bookings compared to last year, attributed to a fragile Middle East ceasefire and a European heatwave. Despite renewed Middle East tensions and EU border system delays, bookings have recovered across all destinations, with Turkey, Cyprus, and Greek islands showing the strongest rebound.
Hong Kong welcomed 26.71 million visitors in the first half of 2026, a 13% increase year-on-year. Arrivals from mainland China rose 16% and foreign tourists 5%. Spending patterns are shifting towards culture and experiences, with per capita spending by overnight visitors projected to reach HK$5,530 in 2026.
Package holiday operator Jet2 has seen a 7.1% increase in summer bookings compared to last year, attributing the bounce-back to a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East and pent-up demand. Despite some EU border control issues, the company reports strong recovery across all destinations.
Family package holidays to Dubai and Egypt are cheaper this summer due to price cuts by tour operators, while European destinations like Spain, Portugal, and Greece have seen price increases. The war in Iran and airspace concerns have deterred some UK holidaymakers from the Middle East.
Family package holidays to Dubai and Egypt are cheaper this summer due to price cuts by tour operators. Conversely, prices for holidays to Spain, Portugal, and Greece have increased. The conflict in the Middle East and airspace concerns have influenced holidaymaker choices.
Family package holidays to Dubai and Egypt are significantly cheaper this summer due to price cuts by tour operators. Conversely, popular European destinations like Spain, Portugal, and Greece have seen price increases of 3-5%.
London's dining scene is buzzing with 10 new restaurant openings in Summer 2026, offering diverse culinary experiences from Italian seafood and French brasseries to Hong Kong-inspired barbecue and modern British tasting menus. These establishments emphasize bold flavors, accessibility, and unique concepts, solidifying London's status as a global culinary hub.
Carolina Panthers WR Xavier Legette is a subject of NFL trade rumors, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens identified as potential destinations. Legette, a former first-round pick, has slipped down the depth chart, fueling speculation about a move before Week 1. His affordable contract makes him a low-risk investment for interested teams.
AutoCamp, a boutique outdoor hospitality brand, is leveraging crowdfunding to fuel its growth, raising $1.2 million from 353 investors, many of whom are past guests. The company offers a luxury camping experience with Airstream suites and cabins, and is seeing strong revenue growth.
Air India Express has fully restored its Middle East operations by resuming flights to Kuwait and Salalah. Services to Salalah began July 2, and to Kuwait on July 3, with frequencies set to increase on both routes. The airline's Middle East network now covers 13 destinations.
An estimated 58-68 million barrels of Iranian oil are currently at sea, with over 90% lacking a defined destination, according to Bloomberg and Vortexa data. Tehran is actively seeking buyers following the US's 60-day suspension of sanctions.
A nationwide GSM-R communication system failure halted all German trains late Tuesday, stranding passengers. Service resumed step by step after nearly 2.5 hours, with Deutsche Bahn providing vouchers and apologies.
New York state leaders have launched a year-long review into a potential joint bid for a future Winter Olympics, linking Lake Placid and New York City. The exploratory committee will assess sustainability and responsible delivery using existing venues, with 2042 as the earliest target.
The US surpasses South Korea as the Philippines' leading source of foreign tourists, with 531,859 US visitors from January to May, driven by diaspora travel and strengthened US-Philippines defence and economic ties.
