Travel News

By Nathan Risser, Bloomberg News

(Bloomberg) -- American drivers may see fuel prices jump by around 15 cents a gallon from Donald Trump’s move to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican supplies, according to one oil analyst.

The US is set to impose a 10% tariff on imports of oil and refined products from Canada, threatening to upend American refining and fuel markets accustomed to importing about 4 million barrels a day of Canadian crude. Mexico has also been under the threat of US trade restrictions, though Trump on Monday delayed a 25% tariff on Mexico for a month.

“A 10% tariff passed through to the consumer will raise gasoline and diesel prices about 15 cents per gallon,” Andy Lipow of Lipow Oil Associates said Sunday in an emailed note. “The extent to which the consumer is affected depends on where the consumer lives.”

The West Coast — already the most expensive gasoline market in the US — could see prices rise 20 cents a gallon, Lipow said. If Canadian oil producers divert supplies from the Midwest and create localized shortages, “prices could spike well over 30 cents a gallon.”

The tariffs come as US refiners are cutting output for maintenance, which means less domestic product is available to replace any curtailed Canadian supply.

Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire rely on Canadian gasoline and diesel imports, while western Pennsylvania, Montana and Washington state rely on Canadian crude oil supplies, Lipow said. A major supplier to those Northeast markets, Irving Oil Ltd., has already told customers in New Hampshire that it will raise propane prices by the cost of Trump’s tariffs.

Gasoline prices at US pumps averaged $3.10 a gallon last weekend while diesel was $3.70 a gallon, according to data from the American Automobile Association.

Most US price increases are unlikely to be immediate, according to Pavel Molchanov, a managing director for energy research at Raymond James in Houston.

“The rule of thumb is that it takes three to four weeks between an oil price movement and a corresponding change in prices at the pump,” he said. “That means drivers should notice it toward the end of February.”

Retail prices in regions that rely more on Canadian oil supply could see fuel price spikes sooner. In northeast states like Maine, the majority of fuel retailers buy their product on spot markets priced at the New York Harbor. If tariffs raise prices on that key pricing hub, gas stations would almost immediately pass the cost through to consumers, according to a retailer in the region.

The tariff effect is already showing up in futures markets. NYMEX gasoline futures rose as much as 13.2 cents on Monday, the largest intraday move since March, to touch almost $2.17 a gallon. 

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Tuesday, said that Kenya Airways has apologised for mistreating a Nigerian Passenger in Nairobi, Kenya.

LEADERSHIP reports that a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, was denied boarding on the second leg of her connecting flight in Nairobi over her inability to provide a Schengen visa. She was then accused of throwing used sanitary pads on the airline’s employee.

The social media video showing a verbal exchange between the passenger and a Kenya Airways agent at the transfer desk in Nairobi (NBO) has since generated comments.

However, the director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his X account, shared pictures and the outcome of the meeting.

According to him, the airline has apologised for the ill-treatment of the Nigerian passenger during a meeting with the airline.

“In respect of the now viral case between a Nigerian passenger, Gloria Omisore, and Kenyan Airways, I summoned the airline to my Abuja office today, Tuesday, February 4, 2025. 

In attendance were the airline’s country manager, James Nganga; Station Manager, Eric Mukira; and duty manager, Ezenwa Ehumadu.

“We informed the airline that the passenger had called Kenya Airways…on December 7, 2025, to inquire if she was qualified to fly the Manchester-Paris-Nairobi-Lagos (inbound) and Lagos-Nairobi-Paris-Manchester route. According to the passenger, the airline told her that she was qualified, despite her informing them that she is Nigerian, who holds a British resident permit, but no Shenghen visa,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA director said it was based on this information from Kenya Airways that the passenger proceeded to purchase the ticket, adding that she flew the first leg into Nigeria via Paris and Nairobi with no incidence.

“The airline has asked for time to check their recorded call log and confirm if that call happened. They have been granted 48 hours to do so,” he said.

“For her outbound flight, the airline boarded and flew the passenger out of Lagos despite knowing that she needed a transit visa for the Paris leg. This fault was that of the airline, and it was only discovered in Nairobi.”

He noted that upon discovery, the airline then offered the passenger a direct flight to London at no extra cost to her, on the condition that she’d wait another 10 hours in addition to the 17-hour layover she had just endured. Since she was bleeding and exhausted, the passenger demanded accommodation and care because the error was that of the airline. It was when she was denied care that an argument ensued between her and the airline counter staff,” he added.

Achimugu said this is contrary to the intentionally misleading official statement by Kenya Airways claiming that the lady simply refused to re-route directly to London and started to throw pads around.

He said the Kenya Airways team has apologised for the obfuscation of facts in that statement and has also admitted that phone call or not, it was the fault of the airline not to have discovered the problem before airlifting the passenger from Lagos.

“I expressed deep disappointment about the unruly Kenya Airways staff who insulted the office of the President of Nigeria, insinuating that the airline could do anything to Nigerians and nothing would happen. I asked if this manner of addressing customer complaints was the airline’s standard protocol.

“The country manager stated in very clear terms that the staff was out of order and apologised for the outburst. When asked what disciplinary measures will be taken against their personnel, he said that his bosses in Nairobi would decide,” he added.

Story by Michael Knowles

Unemployed migrants will have their visas revoked, under tough new Tory plans.

The Conservatives declared "people who come here to work should actually do that" as they signalled a fresh crackdown if they win the next General Election.

Immigrants who have claimed benefits or lived in social housing will be barred from applying for the right to remain indefinitely.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "Recent numbers have been far too high.

"That's why we will introduce a binding annual cap on visa numbers, at far lower levels.

"People who come here to work should actually do that, or see their visa revoked. And we should only be granting Indefinite Leave to Remain to people who are making a net contribution to the economy - paying more in tax than they take out in services."

The Office for National Statistics said net migration to the UK hit 906,000 in the year to June 2023, amid an influx of foreign students, a spike in non-EU workers, particularly in the health and social care sectors and the introduction of the Ukraine and Hong Kong refugee visa schemes.

It fell to 728,000 last year as reforms to the immigration system began to bite.

Research by the Centre for Policy Studies revealed low-skilled migrants are costing taxpayers "more than they contribute at every stage of their time in the UK".

Analysis of a new Office for Budget Responsibility report found that the amount they cost the state - through benefits, healthcare and pensions - dwarfs the amount they pay in tax.

The Centre for Policy Studies warned that the Government must "rebalance our migration policy" towards high-skilled workers.

And the Tories insisted new restrictions should be placed on migrants.

Only foreign workers who have not claimed benefits or relied on social housing whilst living in the UK on work visas will be given the right to remain indefinitely.

Those with criminal records would also be barred, the Conservatives said.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for migrants to face a 10-year wait before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain.

This is double the current five years and would signal "our country is not a dormitory", Mrs Badenoch declared.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Our country is not a dormitory, it's our home. The right to citizenship and permanent residency should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK.

"That's why we should double the length of time before people can qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to ten years.

"The Conservative Party is under new leadership. We're going to tell the hard truths about immigration. The pace of immigration has been too quick and the numbers coming too high for meaningful integration. We need to slow down the track for citizenship. A UK passport should be a privilege not an automatic right.

"Far from reducing the number of people coming into Britain, the Labour Government is presiding over an incoming disaster. The Border Security Bill will actually make it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in the UK, let alone legal migrants. No one can trust Labour on immigration."

Former Home Secretary James Cleverly banned overseas care workers and foreign students from bringing their family members with them to the UK.

The salary threshold for skilled workers was also increased to £38,700.

The previous government aimed to slash the number of people arriving in Britain by 300,000 a year with the measures.

But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper paused a planned increase in the salary threshold on those hoping to bring their family members to the UK.

This means foreign nationals will only need to earn £28,000 to bring their families to the UK.

Mr Philp is urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to allow this to increase to £38,700.

It comes after criticism mounted over Labour's plan to end the small boats crisis.

Mr Philp slammed Labour's new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, claiming it creates a "pathway to citizenship" which will convince migrants to cross the Channel.

He said it is a "slap in the face" to law-abiding families, adding the Home Office's new plan "sells our country out".

Ms Cooper on Thursday outlined Labour's plan to end the small boats crisis, insisting giving Border Force counter-terrorism-style powers will allow the UK to "identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs" faster.

But it also repeals large swathes of the Illegal Migration Act, which denied illegal migrants the right to claim asylum or stay in the UK.

Mr Philp told the Daily Express: "Labour's new Border Bill has nothing to do with securing our borders - it's about surrendering them.

"It is a total capitulation to people smugglers and is a charter for illegal immigrants.

"The Labour Bill now offers illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship, rewarding those who flout our laws with the ultimate prize: a British passport.

"We will fight this tooth and nail.

"While hard-working, law-abiding families play by the rules, Labour wants to fast-track criminals so the Home Secretary can pretend to be taking action.

"Let me be clear. Incentivising illegal crossings like this will only serve to fuel the human trafficking gangs that profit from human misery."

The dropbox visa processing option has been discontinued for United States visa applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant change in the US visa renewal procedure.

Though the US Embassy in Nigeria was yet to issue an official statement on the change, sources have confirmed that the service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system.

Applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have reported that the Dropbox feature was no longer an option on the appointment booking platform, suggesting that it may be due to a slew of executive orders from President Donald Trump.

The development came amid a backlog of visa applications, with many applicants waiting for months to secure dropbox appointments before the removal.

Applicants have expressed frustration over the lengthy wait for physical appointments, which has reportedly taken nearly a year.

With the Dropbox option removed and unavailable slots in Lagos since January, applicants may now be required to travel to Abuja for in-person interviews, reverting to the pre-2020 process.

by Adejayan Gbenga Gsong

The drop box visa processing option is no longer available for US visa applicants in Nigeria, marking a significant shift in the visa renewal process.

Blueprint gathered that the service, which previously allowed eligible applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, has been quietly removed from the appointment booking system.

Applicants attempting to schedule visa renewals have reported that the drop box feature is no longer an option on the appointment booking platform.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Nigeria has yet to issue an official statement on the change.

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has initiated maximum enforcement action against Kenya Airways for many consumer protection infractions.

DAILY POST reports that among the infractions is the airline’s refusal to tender an official apology, refund and compensate a Nigerian traveller, Gloria Omisore, within 48 hours.

The NCAA said while the airline requested an extension of one hour after 48 hours elapsed, it failed to comply with the agency’s demand.

The Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, while disclosing this in a post on X on Saturday, also noted that on Thursday, Kenya Airways failed to send in a compliance report about a scheduled flight that was delayed for seven hours with no compensation for the passengers.

Achimugu further revealed that when the airline was confronted over the phone, its team claimed ignorance of the NCAA Regulations, wondering how a company would operate in a foreign country with no recourse to the relevant laws.

“To this end, we are organising a retreat for all airlines operating in Nigeria to learn and relearn Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.

“The Country Manager in Nigeria apologised for the Gloria Omisore incident. The airline admits that they should never have boarded the passenger from Lagos.

“The airline failed to discover the lack of a France transit visa and flew this passenger to Nairobi where she had a 17-hour layover, only to be told that she would have to endure a further 10-hour wait if she must be flown to the UK,” the NCAA spokesman said.

Saudi Arabia has introduced new visa regulations that will impact travelers from 14 countries, restricting them to single-entry visas valid for 30 days with no option for extension.

The changes apply to tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family members, while excluding applicants for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas.

The new regulations target travellers from the following nations: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

By Princess Etuk

Five airlines sanctioned by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority have officially received their sanction letters for various infractions, with further penalties under consideration.

The Director for Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, confirmed the development to our correspondent.

“Yesterday, the five airlines received their letters of sanctions. The five airlines mentioned in that case have received their letters of sanctions officially,” Achimugu stated.

The affected airlines are Royal Air Maroc, Arik Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.

Achimugu said the NCAA is continuing its investigation into the airlines’ operations and could impose additional penalties.

“Apart from this first set of sanctions, we are still gathering evidence and monitoring the officials to be able to come down harder on them in view to fine them a record N200m for their chronic infractions of the resolution. The matter is still in progress,” Achimugu said.

Weeks ago, the NCAA cautioned that airlines failing to process passenger refunds within the time frame specified in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 would face sanctions.

In response, the regulatory agency took enforcement actions against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors following a surge in passenger complaints.

As part of these measures, the NCAA announced plans to fine Royal Air Maroc up to N300m for alleged unprofessional conduct and failure to comply with regulatory standards.

The agency also hinted at imposing what could be the largest sanction in Nigeria’s aviation history against the airline.

Meanwhile, multiple attempts to contact the affected airlines were unsuccessful as they failed to respond to enquiries.

by Abisola Adigun

Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa regulations that limit travellers from 14 countries, including Nigeria, to single-entry visas valid for 30 days, with no option for renewal or extension.

The policy affects tourists, business visitors, and individuals visiting family members.

However, those applying for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas are exempted from these restrictions.

The affected countries are Nigeria, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Saudi authorities have justified the decision as a measure to address growing concerns about the misuse of multiple-entry visas.

According to officials, some travellers used these long-term visas to overstay, live in the country illegally, or participate in Hajj without proper authorization.

The Saudi government enforces a strict Hajj attendance quota system for each country to manage the annual pilgrimage and prevent overcrowding.

However, violations of this quota have contributed to severe congestion issues, especially in recent years. In 2024, the situation became critical when over 1,200 pilgrims lost their lives due to extreme heat and overcrowding. Authorities believe that unregistered pilgrims, many of whom entered the country on multiple-entry visas, exacerbated the crisis.

While officials have described the suspension of multiple-entry visas as a temporary measure, they did not specify how long the new policy will remain in place.

The government intends to evaluate the impact of the change before deciding on future adjustments.

Travellers from affected countries are urged to apply for their single-entry visas well in advance of their trips to avoid delays or disruptions.

Saudi authorities emphasised the importance of complying with the new guidelines to avoid penalties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also advised travellers to stay updated on visa policies through official government channels and ensure they follow all entry requirements.

These new regulations are expected to significantly affect travel plans for thousands of individuals, especially business travelers and those with family in Saudi Arabia, who may need to adjust their travel schedules accordingly.

By Gift Habib

Nigeria and the Kingdom of Bahrain have officially established diplomatic relations following a visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar to Manama.

This was contained in a statement signed by the minister’s media aide, Alkasim Abdulkadir, on Sunday.

According to the statement, Tuggar held bilateral discussions with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif Zayani, focusing on areas of mutual interest, including foreign direct investment, trade, and cooperation in the oil and gas sectors.

The discussions emphasised enhancing investment opportunities, particularly in onshore projects and the development of the 8th train LNG.

Additionally, both countries explored collaboration in training Nigerian diplomats and strengthening cooperation within multilateral forums.

As part of the visit, the two ministers signed a Joint Communiqué, marking a formal diplomatic agreement between Nigeria and Bahrain.

This step is expected to pave the way for deeper economic and political ties between the two nations.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has visited Manama, the Kingdom of Bahrain, while in the Kingdom he engaged in bilateral discussions with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

“The meeting focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, facilitating foreign direct investment from Bahrain, enhancing trade and investment opportunities, and fostering cooperation in the oil and gas sectors, with particular emphasis on onshore projects and the development of the 8th train LNG.

“The ministers also deliberated on the training of Nigerian diplomats and collaboration within multilateral forums.

“Both ministers signed a Joint Communiqué, officially establishing diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Bahrain. This agreement marks a significant milestone in fostering closer ties and mutual cooperation between the two nations,” the statement noted.

Bahrain’s broader strategy of fostering international partnerships was also highlighted, with Al Zayani recently chairing the third meeting of the national committee overseeing the implementation of initiatives from the Bahrain Summit.