Several countries have introduced reciprocal visa bans targeting American citizens after former U.S. President Donald Trump expanded his administration’s travel restrictions in December to cover 20 additional nations and the Palestinian Authority.

On December 26, Niger became the first to respond, announcing a complete and permanent suspension of visa issuance for U.S. nationals and an indefinite entry ban on Americans. The government said the measure was guided by “principles of reciprocity” after Niger was added to Washington’s expanded list of restricted countries in June.

Chad soon followed, suspending visa services for U.S. citizens on similar grounds.

As of January 2026, 39 countries now face either full entry bans or targeted visa restrictions for travel to the United States.

Burkina Faso has become the latest country to respond with parallel travel measures. The landlocked West African state announced that it had introduced “equivalent visa measures for citizens of the United States,” effectively amounting to a complete suspension of U.S. travel visas.

In a statement, the government reaffirmed its commitment to “mutual respect, sovereign equality of states, and the principle of reciprocity” in international relations.

Western travel to Burkina Faso remains limited due to persistent insecurity and political instability. The U.S. State Department currently designates the country as a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destination, citing ongoing terrorist threats and civil unrest—factors that the Trump administration previously cited as justification for its expanded ban.

Neighboring Mali has also enforced a reciprocal ban on U.S. travelers. Its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that American citizens will now face “the same conditions and requirements as those imposed by the American authorities on Malian citizens entering the United States.”

Both Mali and Burkina Faso emphasized that their actions stem from the principle of reciprocity and sovereign equality, underscoring growing diplomatic tensions surrounding the U.S. travel restrictions.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA