Funding & Investment in Travel
Refugees from travel ban countries must be allowed to enter U.S., Seattle judge rules
The Trump administration must allow refugees to enter the United States from countries covered by the president’s travel ban, a federal judge in Seattle ruled Monday.
U.S. District Court Judge Jamal Whitehead’s decision opens the door for around 80 refugees to immediately arrive from countries whose citizens are banned from traveling here.
Whitehead also ruled the Trump administration needs to potentially allow refugees to enter the United States even if their planned travel was postponed before the president took office.
Affected individuals and resettlement organizations, including Lutheran Community Services Northwest in Tacoma, brought the lawsuit after President Donald Trump halted refugee admissions via executive order on his first day in office.
In February, Whitehead, a Biden appointee, ruled the president’s order likely “crossed the line” of separation of powers.
But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later narrowed Whitehead’s ruling to only allow the entry of refugees whose applications were approved before Trump signed the executive order. For refugees to enter the country under the appeals court ruling, they also needed clearance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and travel plans arranged at the time Trump issued his ban on refugee admissions.
That decision from a three-judge 9th Circuit panel didn’t stop Trump from otherwise halting the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
Whitehead ordered the federal government to facilitate entry for refugees who met the appeals court’s three-prong test and had travel scheduled within two weeks of Trump’s order. The feds reported 160 people met those criteria.
Magistrate Judge Michelle Peterson, of Seattle, will review the cases of others whose scheduled arrival date was after Feb. 3. This includes more than 4,000 cases comprising upward of 12,000 potential refugees.
The question before the district court was whether the Trump administration still needed to admit refugees from countries targeted in Trump’s early June travel ban. Refugees from these countries make up two-thirds of those who met the appeals court’s criteria but haven’t been admitted to the U.S. yet.
One of the plaintiffs in the litigation is a Bellevue woman who filed an application to sponsor a refugee family from Afghanistan before the federal government suspended their case. Afghanistan is included in the president’s travel ban.
The organizations involved in the case also fear the Trump administration is undercounting the number of impacted refugees. They say the federal government isn’t including people whose travel plans were postponed for reasons other than the refugee ban, like application processing delays. And some plans may have been canceled in anticipation of the president’s actions.
The Trump administration countered in court documents that those refugees aren’t covered by the appeals court’s order. Department of Justice attorney Joseph McCarter called the request a “baseless and unrestrained expansion” of the ruling.
Whitehead ruled refugees whose travel plans were canceled between Dec. 1 and Jan. 20 are also covered by his order, paving a path for more to arrive in the United States.
Within a week from Monday, the federal government must identify all cases meeting the appellate court’s three-part test, Whitehead ordered.
The government must also expedite the entry of unaccompanied refugee children and Afghan refugees temporarily staying at a camp in Qatar.
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British travellers will soon need to fork out 7€ for an ETIAS permit to visit popular holiday destinations like Spain though the system’s implementation has been pushed back to 2027. The fee will only apply to tourists aged between 18 and 70, whilst younger and older visitors won’t face any charges.
Funding & Investment in Travel
Jelly Ko expands refill options on the back of strong sales and demand
The in-house brand of Style Story, an Australia-based online retailer of South Korean beauty products, has added a fourth refill product to its portfolio.
Its global bestseller, Bubble Tea Steam Cream, recently joined Dewy Glaze Toner, Be Jelly Overnight Dream Serum, and White Truffle Souffle Serum in having a 50ml version.
“Bubble Tea Steam Cream is the product that put Jelly Ko on the map, and it is now available in a convenient refill pouch that’s perfect for topping up your empty jar or packing in your carry-on luggage.
“Refills are performing really well for us. Last month, across our sales channels, refill packs made up almost 40% of total sales for Bubble Tea Steam Cream, which is our hero SKU and most repurchased product. That is a huge adoption rate and shows that customers are not only repurchasing, but actively opting for the more sustainable option,” Lauren Lee, founder of Jelly Ko and Style Story, told CosmeticsDesign-Asia.
In fact, the travel-friendliness of the refill packs was pointed out to Lee by customers.
“Many started using the refill packs as travel companions because they are resealable, lightweight, and easy to pack due to its flat packaging. It wasn’t actually something that we realised when we originally designed them, but now that we’ve seen how people are using them, we have adopted that into our messaging as well.
“It makes sense because traditional cosmetics can be bulky, breakable, heavy, and just a bit annoying to cart around, even if they are travel-sized. These refill packs take all the fuss out of travelling with your go-to skin care products.”
Going forward, Jelly Ko plans to continue growing its refillable offerings.
“We will be adding a refill version for our Cherry Blossom Sleeping Mask, which will also double as a travel pack, in the next production run. As for dedicated travel-sized products, we are not planning any at this stage. We currently offer sachet samples and these refill packs, which fill the gap for now.”
Smooth like bubble
Jelly Ko’s Bubble Tea Steam Creamis claimed to be the world’s first bubble tea skin care, which has sold out six times since its launch in 2020.
Infused with collagen, panthenol, probiotics, squalane, and four types of hyaluronic acid, it is a nourishing yet lightweight moisturiser that “replaces oil, serum and cream in one step”.
Inspired by the popular beverage, this cream is fast-absorbing, and delivers deep hydration and buttery-soft smoothness targeted at improving dark spots, blemishes, and visible signs of ageing.
According to the brand, it helps to refine texture and tone for all skin types and ages; smooths and firms skin for a more even, radiant complexion; and does not contain additives, such as artificial fragrances, dyes, sulphates and parabens, that may trigger reactions.
In addition, the newly launched refillable pouch is said to use 90% less plastic, glass and paper, contributing to reduction of carbon emissions and packaging waste.
Funding & Investment in Travel
Cambodia’s Government Advances Travel to the sea with the Funan Techo Canal Project
In a significant move to enhance connectivity and promote travel from Siem Reap to the sea, the Royal Government of Cambodia is championing the development of the Funan Techo Canal. This initiative aims to facilitate smoother transportation for citizens and boost the nation’s economic prospects.
During the inauguration of the Senior Technical Officer of the Senior Technical Officers’ Framework as Head of the Siem Reap Province Department of Public Works and Transport on July 16, 2025, H.E. Peng Po Nea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, articulated the government’s vision for this ambitious project. “We are committed to ensuring that travel from Siem Reap to the sea via the Funan Techo Canal becomes a reality,” he stated, emphasizing that the project is on track for completion.
The Funan Techo Canal, measuring 180 kilometers in length, officially broke ground on August 5, 2024. Spanning four provinces—Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kep—the canal is designed to support vessels weighing up to 3,000 DWT, enhancing trade and tourism capabilities in the region.
H.E. Peng Po Nea further underscored that the development of waterways aligns with the government’s policy to transform Cambodia into a high-income country by 2050. “This initiative reflects our visionary leadership and aims to integrate public works and transportation, connecting urban and rural areas to streamline travel for all citizens,” he added. (Read more)
As Cambodia moves forward with this transformative infrastructure project, the Funan Techo Canal is set to play a vital role in fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
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