Latest news with #AmericansAbroad
New York Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
The U.S. Urged American Travelers Abroad to ‘Exercise Increased Caution.' What's Going On?
The State Department issued a worldwide security alert on Sunday, urging Americans abroad to 'exercise increased caution' because of the potential for 'demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad,' after American intervention in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The advisory came a day after President Trump announced that U.S. forces had attacked nuclear sites in Iran, a move that experts say is likely to draw retaliation against American military assets in the region. Here's what you need to know if you are overseas or considering international travel. What does the advisory mean? The worldwide security alert calls on Americans to be cautious and vigilant when traveling abroad. It also warns that the conflict between Iran and Israel has resulted in 'disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East.' The advisory urges Americans to read country-specific advisories and security alerts when planning travel and to sign up for the government's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for real-time security updates and to help the State Department quickly and accurately establish contact in the event of an emergency. Is it safe to travel? It depends on where you are going. The State Department's country-specific guidance has both Israel and Iran at Level 4, or 'do not travel.' The travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza was updated on June 16 citing 'armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest.' Emergency evacuation flights are being provided for Americans wishing to leave Israel. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Retirees Flock to This International Destination—and It's Got Great Health Care, Low Taxes, and High Quality of Life
Spain tops Global Citizen Solutions' 2025 list of the best countries to retire; the company also highlighted Madrid as a great place to work and live for professionals. Global Citizen Solutions estimates that monthly living expenses there are approximately $2,000 to $2,500. Portugal ranked second thanks to its climate, affordability, and access to excellent healthcare; Costa Rica is 5.5 million Americans live abroad, according to the Association of Americans Resident Overseas. About 700,000 of them are retirees. If you hope to be one of them but are not quite sure where to relocate, Global Citizen Solutions has a few early June, the company, dedicated to helping Americans invest abroad, released its list of the 10 best countries for Americans to retire in 2025. "From Portugal to Costa Rica, there is a wide range of destinations, offering the ideal lifestyle for U.S. retirees. But, with so many great options, choosing the right place to retire can be challenging,' the website explained. So, to help people find the right spots, Global Citizen Solutions analyzed destinations on eight key indicators, including the local cost of living, access to health care, climate, retirement and expat tax benefits, safety, and retiree-friendly recreation. And the winner for 2025 is Spain. "Spain ranks as the top country for retirement, scoring 100 in the GIU's [Global Intelligence Unit] U.S. retirement trend report," the company explained. "Though petty theft can occur in tourist areas like Barcelona and Madrid, it has low crime rates." It added that the nation's capital, Madrid, is "one of the best places to work and live for experts, well known for its culture and history." Retirees moving to this European Union country can expect to spend approximately $2,000 to $2,500 per month on living expenses, with estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central areas at $1,322.50 and $968.05 in outer areas, according to the site. Those planning to relocate to Spain permanently can apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa, which allows foreigners to reside there without the right to work. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must show proof of a monthly income of at least $2,700, along with proof of accommodation and private health insurance, according to Global Citizen Solutions. The country's Golden Visa was suspended earlier in 2025. Also joining Spain at the top of the list is its Iberian Peninsula neighbor, Portugal, which won high praise thanks to its climate, affordability, and access to excellent healthcare. Unlike Spain, Portugal still has a Golden Visa program, which allows retirees to obtain a visa in exchange for investment; however, the rules have changed slightly on how it works. For example, if you choose to invest in real estate, it has to be in a rural area. Other top spots on Global Citizen Solutions' list include Costa Rica (third), Uruguay (fourth), and Mexico (fifth), all of which offer similarly stellar climates, tax breaks, and accessible visas. Check out the full list, along with details on which countries are easiest for obtaining a second passport, at Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
The Independent
23-06-2025
- The Independent
American citizens worldwide issued security alert after Iran strikes
The U.S. Department of State has issued a worldwide security alert advising American citizens abroad to 'exercise increased caution'. This alert stems from the conflict between Israel and Iran, and America's recent involvement in a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear sites. The advisory warns of potential disruptions to travel, periodic airspace closures across the Middle East, and demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests. It follows a previous "do not travel" advisory for Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, citing a high potential for terrorist attacks and missile or drone strikes in Israel. Americans traveling overseas are advised to check specific country guidance on and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for important alerts.
CTV News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
U.S. evacuates 79 staff and family from embassy in Israel as more Americans ask how to leave
WASHINGTON — The U.S. evacuated 79 staff and families from the U.S. Embassy in Israel on Friday as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies and growing numbers of private American citizens seek information on how to leave Israel and Iran. An internal U.S. State Department memo says the military flight, the second known to have occurred this week, left Tel Aviv for Sofia, Bulgaria, where some or all of the passengers were to get a connecting charter flight to Washington. The document, which was obtained by The Associated Press, also said that more than 6,400 U.S. citizens in Israel had filled out an online form on Friday alone asking for information about when and if the U.S. government would organize evacuation flights. An additional 3,265 people, some of whom may also have competed the form, called an emergency number seeking assistance. The document estimated that between 300 and 500 people per day could need evacuation assistance should the U.S. decide to offer flights or ships to get Americans out, as the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has said is being considered. There are some 700,000 Americans in Israel, many of them dual nationals, according to estimates, although the exact number at any given time is unclear because U.S. citizens are not required to notify the embassy if they are there or when they might leave. Earlier Friday, before the memo was distributed, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters that more than 25,000 Americans had reached out for information on leaving Israel, the West Bank and Iran. She told reporters that those people had sought 'information and support' and were 'seeking guidance' on departing. She would not give a breakdown of where the queries had come from and would not comment on embassy evacuations. In Iran, the document said that at least 84 U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, or Green Card holders, had crossed into neighboring Azerbaijan by land since the conflict began and that an additional 774 had been granted permission to enter as of Friday. Nearly 200 American citizens and Green Card holders are awaiting permission to travel overland from Iran to neighboring Turkmenistan, it said. Matthew Lee, The Associated Press
Al Arabiya
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US evacuates 79 staff and family from Israel embassy as more Americans ask how to leave
The US evacuated 79 staff and families from the US Embassy in Israel on Friday as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies and growing numbers of private American citizens seek information on how to leave Israel and Iran. An internal State Department memo says the military flight, the second known to have occurred this week, left Tel Aviv for Sofia, Bulgaria, where some or all of the passengers were to get a connecting charter flight to Washington. The document, which was obtained by The Associated Press, also said that more than 6,400 US citizens in Israel had filled out an online form on Friday alone asking for information about when and if the US government would organize evacuation flights. An additional 3,265 people, some of whom may also have completed the form, called an emergency number seeking assistance. The document estimated that between 300 and 500 people per day could need evacuation assistance should the US decide to offer flights or ships to get Americans out, as the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has said is being considered. There are some 700,000 Americans in Israel, many of them dual nationals, according to estimates, although the exact number at any given time is unclear because US citizens are not required to notify the embassy if they are there or when they might leave. Earlier Friday, before the memo was distributed, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters that more than 25,000 Americans had reached out for information on leaving Israel, the West Bank and Iran. She told reporters that those people had sought 'information and support' and were 'seeking guidance' on departing. She would not give a breakdown of where the queries had come from and would not comment on embassy evacuations. In Iran, the document said that at least 84 US citizens and lawful permanent residents, or Green Card holders, had crossed into neighboring Azerbaijan by land since the conflict began and that an additional 774 had been granted permission to enter as of Friday. Nearly 200 American citizens and Green Card holders are awaiting permission to travel overland from Iran to neighboring Turkmenistan, it said.
