U.S. ESTA Travel Pass News

The spotted lanternfly (pictured), known as an insect that damages plants, has reappeared across Maryland. According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the spotted lanternfly, which typically hatches between late April and early May, was first introduced to the United States from China and Southeast Asia in 2014 and spread throughout Maryland by 2018.

Previously, a pest that had to be eradicated due to concerns about severe crop damage, recent research indicates that the spotted lanternfly does not cause fatal damage to the ecosystem.

Emily Zobel, an expert in agricultural and food systems at the University of Maryland, explained, “Although this insect looks somewhat threatening due to its large size and colorful appearance, it does not cause fatal harm to garden or landscaping plants. However, the sweet-tasting secretions they excrete can hinder plant growth and cause inconvenience by clinging to outdoor furniture or vehicles, making them look messy.”

Experts analyzed that while there were almost no natural predators when the spotted lanternfly was first introduced, its population is now gradually being naturally controlled as birds and predatory insects feed on them.

Accordingly, authorities are not recommending unconditional eradication to residents but are urging them to report any sightings to the authorities to help assess the infestation. Expert Zobel advised, “You do not necessarily have to kill the spotted lanternfly when you find one,” adding, “Caution must be exercised to avoid mistakenly killing innocent native insects due to the misuse or overuse of pesticides.”

Meanwhile, the spotted lanternfly larvae appearing in Maryland have a black base with white spots. When they become adults, their forewings are light brown and their hindwings are red, characterized by black spots on both.

The state of Virginia has decided to increase housing supply by easing regulations on prefabricated homes. On the 1st, Governor Abigail Spanberger visited the Cavco factory in Rocky Mount, Virginia, a prefabricated home manufacturer, and signed a bipartisan housing bill package aimed at easing prefabricated home regulations, expanding housing supply, and reducing housing costs, in the presence of state legislators and local leaders.

These bills, which will take effect on July 1, mandate that local governments treat prefabricated homes under the same standards as traditional site-built homes. Consequently, various zoning regulations that have restricted prefabricated homes from being in areas where conventional single-family homes are permitted are expected to be significantly relaxed. These bills focus on increasing the housing supply, easing regulations on prefabricated housing, and enhancing transparency in the rental process so that Virginia residents can rent or purchase homes at more affordable prices.

In a speech that day, Governor Spanberger stated, “Virginia is taking concrete measures to resolve the housing crisis through policies that expand the housing supply, protect tenants, strengthen information disclosure, and recognize prefabricated housing on par with other homes.”

The bills include provisions to ease administrative procedures and regulations that hinder the expansion of prefabricated housing supply. They also contain provisions to protect tenants from various additional costs or hidden fees not specified in rental agreements.

Randy Grumbine, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Manufacturing and Modular Housing, welcomed the bills, saying, “These bills will provide more families with the opportunity to realize their dream of homeownership.” Recently, rising housing prices and supply shortages have emerged as major policy issues in Virginia. Particularly in Northern Virginia, as home purchase prices and rents continue to rise, the housing burden on the middle class and younger generations is increasing.

Local media outlets report that Governor Spanberger has made easing the burden of housing costs a core policy priority since taking office and predict that these bills will play a significant role in expanding housing supply and improving housing accessibility in Virginia.

Meanwhile, the Cavco factory visited by Governor Spanberger on this day produces prefabricated homes supplied to several states, including Virginia, with prices ranging from around $50,000 to over $200,000. Generally, the actual cost of moving in, including installation fees, is known to be in the range of $100,000 to $300,000.

Approximately $100,000 in cash attempted to be smuggled out of the country was intercepted and confiscated at Dulles Airport during the Memorial Day weekend.

According to an announcement by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the 2nd, on the 23rd of last month, Vito, a two-year-old German Shepherd dog trained in cash detection by CBP officers, apprehended a man and his family while they were checking in for a flight to Brussels, Belgium.

The man initially claimed that he and his wife each possessed $7,000, but upon being asked about the requirement to declare the cash as being out of the country, he corrected his statement to $20,000 and listed $22,500 on the currency reporting form. However, a thorough inspection revealed an additional $1,450 in his pants pocket, bringing the final confirmed amount to $46,520.

On the following day, the 24th, a mother and daughter from Cameroon were also apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Brussels. According to CBP, when officers explained the cash regulations, the mother and daughter initially stated that the cash amounted to $15,000.

Later, the daughter, a U.S. citizen, listed $22,361 on the declaration form. However, a thorough search of the suitcase revealed cash sewn into women’s undergarments. The total amount found in this case was $52,923. CBP confiscated a total of $99,443 found in these two incidents over two days.

According to CBP regulations, cash can be taken out of the United States regardless of the amount, but amounts exceeding $10,000 (including foreign currency and travellers’ checks) must be declared to customs. Furthermore, the declaration requirement applies if the total combined total of a family (accompanying travellers) exceeds $10,000, rather than on an individual basis.

Data from the U.S. Border Patrol and the CBP Office of Field Operations indicates that from October 2024 to September 2025, CBP enforcement agents and investigators nationwide seized an average of over $182,000 per day of undeclared or illegally smuggled currency.

Costco Wholesale Corp. stated that if the U.S. government refunds the tariffs, the company will return that portion of the refund to its members in some form. Costco announces: If it receives the Trump tariff refunds, its members may share the profits! Image source: 51.CA

Costco is one of thousands of companies suing the U.S. federal government, demanding the return of tariffs collected by the government after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected tariffs in February of this year. In addition, Costco is currently facing a class-action lawsuit in the United States that claims any tariff refunds received by the company should be returned to its members. Can members receive cash?

However, Costco has not yet made a commitment regarding the question that consumers are most concerned about: “whether they can receive a refund directly.” Costco CEO Ron Vachris said on Thursday, “Our plan is to return some of the tariffs that we pass on to our members in some form.” Vachris said this during the earnings call on Thursday. Vachris explained that the company has begun submitting customs duty refund applications and expects to receive refunds in installments over the next few months. He added, “The amount and timing of our refunds depend on a variety of factors, including the actual amount of the refund received and when it arrives, as well as the progress of any litigation concerning the company’s refund process.” Overall, in the three months ending May 10, Costco achieved net sales of $69.15 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of over 11%. The company’s gas station business performed particularly well. Due to soaring gas prices caused by the war in Iran, consumers flocked to Costco to fill up, resulting in “record-breaking sales.” Costco announces: If it receives the Trump tariff refunds, its members may share the profits! Image source: 51.CA (file photo)

Vachris stated, “We believe this will further enhance the loyalty of these members, as members who refuel at our gas stations typically spend more at the retail outlets.” The popularity of weight loss drugs such as Ozempic has also boosted Costco’s pharmacy business, where members can often get discounts on expensive medications.

Costco CFO Gary Millerchip said, “The value our pharmacies offer really helps members access these medications in a very affordable way.” These medications have also driven a trend towards high-protein diets, a change that Costco has also noticed. Millerchip said, “Currently, all protein-related products are selling very well, such as protein bars, protein snacks, and beef jerky.

This is an example of our proactive approach to these product areas, as we see a great demand from our members for these high-quality, cost-effective products.” Costco’s statements are currently mainly aimed at the US market, and it is not yet clear whether Canadian Costco members will be able to directly benefit. For Canadian consumers who frequently shop at Costco, the possibility of future price reductions on some items if Costco ultimately receives a large refund is worth noting, although no specific timetable or implementation method has been announced yet.

Darren Bailey, the current Republican gubernatorial candidate and former state senator who ran for governor of Illinois in 2022 and is now actively preparing for a second run, recently posted a statement on social media, strongly declaring that if elected governor, he will legislate a complete ban on the Chinese Communist Party and all Chinese entities from purchasing farmland in Illinois. He stated explicitly in the post: “Our land is not for sale.”

These remarks have once again brought the sensitive political and national security issue of “Chinese investment in American land” to the forefront. As a third-generation rancher, Bailey’s move not only aims to resonate with Midwestern agricultural voters but also precisely echoes the strong concerns within the Republican Party nationwide regarding food security and potential espionage.

Since 2021, there has been an explosive increase in legislation restricting land ownership by foreign entities, particularly “hostile foreign powers” such as China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, across the United States. According to statistics from the Committee of 100 legal think tanks, in 2025 alone, as many as 38 state legislatures across the country will discuss, advance, or amend laws prohibiting hostile foreign powers from purchasing real estate.

Currently, 11 states in the United States have laws that explicitly prohibit or restrict Chinese citizens and Chinese-invested enterprises from purchasing property. These 11 states are: Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Idaho. Florida and Texas are leading this wave of legislation, having previously passed some of the strictest laws in the country, prohibiting Chinese citizens and Chinese companies from purchasing sensitive real estate and agricultural land near military bases.

Ohio, a major agricultural state in the Midwest, is also escalating its restrictions on farmland purchases. As early as 2023, Ohio passed the “Protect National Security and Save Farmland Act,” which prohibits hostile foreign entities blacklisted by the state government from buying local farmland. The state legislature is currently pushing forward with a more radical “Ohio Property Protection Act” (HB 1/SB 88), which plans to significantly expand the ban from agricultural land to all real estate within 10 to 25 miles of military bases and “critical infrastructure” such as water plants, power plants, and railways.

This proposal has met with strong opposition from local Asian communities and real estate associations, and lawmakers from both parties are currently engaged in a fierce battle over the details and exemptions of the bill, resulting in numerous amendments. Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate John Bailey, a third-generation rancher, has proposed, if elected governor, to legislate a complete ban on the purchase of Illinois farmland by the Chinese Communist Party and all Chinese entities. (Associated Press)

In addition to local governments, federal-level restrictions are also becoming increasingly stringent. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party, introduced the “Protecting US Farmland and Sensitive Sites from Foreign Adversaries Act” in May. This bipartisan bill aims to close loopholes in federal oversight and rigorously scrutinizes and prevent Chinese investment in real estate purchases near military bases and sensitive infrastructure throughout the United States.

Asian American rights groups and civil rights lawyers have protested this, arguing that the wording of many local laws is vague and could easily extend restrictions to legal Chinese green card holders or ordinary immigrants, potentially violating the Constitution and fueling discrimination and hatred against Asian Americans.

A highly toxic chemical tank exploded at a paper mill in Washington state, killing many people instantly, leaving many missing, and at least 10 people hospitalized. The incident occurred at the Nippon Dynawave packaging plant in Longview, about 80 kilometers from Portland, Oregon. At 7:18 a.m., a massive 80,000-gallon chemical tank, which was 60% full at the time, collapsed, and a huge explosion reverberated throughout the city of Longview.

According to photos and videos released from the scene, half of the huge metal tank collapsed in, and thick white smoke was spreading in all directions. At the scene, a truck was pinned down by a fallen metal pipe, and an unidentified liquid was spraying out of the crack in the pipe.

According to officials, the imploded storage tank contained a chemical mixture known as “white liquor,” which mainly consisted of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, and contained disodium carbonate. This liquid is specifically used in the papermaking process to dissolve wood fibers to make pulp. It is a highly alkaline substance with extremely strong corrosive properties. High-concentration exposure to this chemical can cause severe chemical burns, and its fumes can also cause devastating damage to the respiratory tract.

Local fire chief Mike Gorsuch described the scene with heartache as a “mass casualty site. ” Five fire trucks, seven ambulances, and an area hazardous materials response team were dispatched to the scene. Approximately 40 firefighters and medical personnel are working to contain the spreading chemicals. Injured people who were still able to walk were first washed and cleaned by firefighters on the spot before they could be put into ambulances.

Of the 10 injured, one was a firefighter who came to the rescue. The injured were taken to PeaceHealth St. John’s Hospital in Longview and PeaceHealth Southwest Hospital in Vancouver, Washington ( this Vancouver is in Washington state, not Vancouver, Canada). The hospital later issued a statement saying that it received a total of 9 people, 1 of whom died, 2 of whom were seriously injured and transferred to other hospitals, and the remaining 6 were in stable condition. The injured firefighters have been treated and have returned home. But these are just the hospital figures. The fire department’s 11 a.m. report directly confirmed “multiple deaths” and that some people were still missing. Cowlitz County Fire and Rescue Chief Scott Goldstein admitted at a press conference that he could not yet release specific numbers of deaths and missing persons.

After the accident, panicked family members of the workers gathered at the factory’s visitor entrance, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Many residents have close ties with the factory where the incident occurred, and many of their relatives and friends work there. Officials stated that the incident currently poses no direct threat to the public but urged residents to stay away from Industrial Way and the surrounding area.

This factory is quite large, employing hundreds of people and producing 280,000 tons of bleached liquid packaging paperboards annually. Many coffee cups, juice boxes, and takeout paper bowls in North American supermarkets originate from here. According to the company’s data, their raw materials can be made into 8 billion disposable containers every year. In 2023, this factory also experienced a fire that burned for several days. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson issued a statement in the afternoon, saying that the National Guard was on standby and personnel from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Labor had been deployed to the scene. “I am deeply saddened,” he said. “My prayers are with the families of the victims.”

The cause of the accident is still unclear. When asked by the media, a factory employee said that there was no further information to provide at the time. It is worth noting that just days before the Longview incident, Orange County, California, had also experienced a chemical tank crisis. A storage tank containing more than 6,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate (MDMA) belonging to British company GKN Airlines experienced a temperature malfunction, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to order the emergency evacuation of 50,000 people, and President Trump to sign a federal emergency declaration. Fortunately, a crack appeared in the storage tank, which released internal pressure, allowing the chemicals to cool down and preventing an explosion.

A popular American singer is implicated in the murder of his underage girlfriend and the brutal dismemberment of her body. Prosecutors in Los Angeles held a press conference today to release details of the crime they have uncovered. The incident began on September 8th of last year at a trailer yard in Los Angeles. That day, workers on the top floor of the parking lot noticed that a 2023 Tesla Model Y was surrounded by insects and emitted a strong stench of decay, so they immediately called the police. Upon arriving, the detective immediately smelled a putrid odor. There were two black bags in the trunk. Unzipping the first bag revealed a gruesome sight: a rotting human head and torso. The second bag contained severed arms and legs.

The image was deeply disturbing. The car is registered under the name of singer David Burke. Burke, stage name D4vd, is 21 years old and from Houston. He rose to fame on TikTok in 2022 with his song “Romantic Homicide” and has since collaborated with top artists such as SZA and Kali Uchis. His career is currently on the rise. At the time of the incident, he was on a North American tour.

The girl who died in his car, Celeste Rivas Hernandez (referred to as C in this article), was from Lake Elsinore, a small town about 112 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles. She had been reported missing since 2025 when she was 14 years old, and the police believed she had died a few months earlier.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles held a press conference to release details of the crime they have uncovered. The incident began on September 8th of last year at a trailer yard in Los Angeles. That day, workers on the top floor of the parking lot noticed that a 2023 Tesla Model Y was surrounded by insects and emitted a strong stench of decay, so they immediately called the police. Upon arriving, the detective immediately smelled a putrid odor. There were two black bags in the trunk. Unzipping the first bag revealed a gruesome sight: a rotting human head and torso. The second bag contained severed arms and legs. The image was deeply disturbing.

The car is registered under the name of singer David Burke. Burke, stage name D4vd, is 21 years old and from Houston. He rose to fame on TikTok in 2022 with his song “Romantic Homicide” and has since collaborated with top artists such as SZA and Kali Uchis. His career is currently on the rise. At the time of the incident, he was on a North American tour.

A couple in Colorado, USA, are devastated as their one-year-old son, Alastor, whose condition deteriorated rapidly after being diagnosed with the flu and croup, will be taken off with life support this Friday.

The child’s parents, Eric Ryan and Maegan Coffin, said the past few days have been “the worst nightmare any parent could have ever experienced” as they prepare to say goodbye to their child. Just a “common flu”? A 1-year-old boy is critically ill, and his parents bid him a tearful farewell.

According to reports, on January 9th, the couple took their son to an emergency center in Northglenn (about 13 miles north of Denver) for the first time. The hospital diagnosed him with influenza and croup and prescribed steroids and the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu before sending him home. However, the child’s condition did not improve, and the family rushed him back to the hospital.

The mother, Coffin, stated that after an X-ray at the hospital, the child suddenly stopped breathing. Just a “common flu”? A 1-year-old boy is critically ill, and his parents bid him a tearful farewell. Doctors then attempted to intubate the child and transferred him to another hospital, but the family said the child suffered from prolonged oxygen deprivation during the process. The child’s father, Ryan, stated on social media that the child was declared dead on Saturday afternoon, but the family is still awaiting arrangements for the removal of life support. Just a “common flu”? A 1-year-old boy is critically ill, and his parents bid him a tearful farewell.

According to his parents, Alastor was diagnosed with human metapneumovirus and croup, diseases that cause swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing and are especially dangerous in infants and young children. Medical institutions point out that the virus is more common in winter and spring, and there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment. It has a particularly severe impact on infants aged 6 to 12 months. The father, Ryan, said they never intended to keep life support indefinitely, but hoped to give their child more opportunities for recovery, “to see if there is still a chance for the brain to heal.”

He also stated that the child’s other organs were still functioning and that if the child regained consciousness, no long-term damage was expected. However, he added that the hospital’s push for brain death testing made them feel “forced to make a decision.”

According to reports, the child’s four siblings were also by his bedside and broke down in tears after witnessing the test results. The father said the scene was a huge blow to the family. Just a “common flu”? A 1-year-old boy is critically ill, and his parents bid him a tearful farewell.

In addition, the family is considering legal action against the emergency room that initially treated them and has already contacted a lawyer. The family has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover living and related expenses and has raised over $8,600 so far. Just a “common flu”? A 1-year-old boy is critically ill, and his parents bid him a tearful farewell. The hospital has not yet made a public response to the allegations.

Amazon has acquired a satellite communications company to target the satellite internet market led by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Both companies announced that Amazon is acquiring Globalstar to expand its low-orbit satellite network, ‘Amazon Leo’.

Through this acquisition, Amazon will add 24 of Globalstar’s satellites to its existing network of approximately 200 satellites. Furthermore, starting in 2028, Amazon will be able to launch a next-generation Direct-to-Device (D2D) service that connects satellites directly to mobile devices, such as smartphones, without going through ground base stations.

Amazon also signed an additional agreement to continue supporting Apple’s satellite-based emergency messaging service, which was previously provided by Globalstar.

Panos Panay, Senior Vice President (SVP) of Amazon Devices & Services, emphasized, “Billions of people live, travel, and work in areas not covered by existing networks. We launched Amazon Leo to bridge this gap,” adding, “Through Globalstar’s proven expertise and solid foundation, customers will be able to experience faster and more reliable services in more regions.”

Globalstar shareholders will receive $90 in cash or Amazon stock of equivalent value for each share they hold. Considering that Globalstar has a total of 128.59 million issued shares, the total acquisition amount reaches $11.57 billion. This represents a 117% premium over the market capitalization at the end of last October, before rumours of an Amazon acquisition began circulating. The acquisition has received written consent from 58% of Global Star shareholders and is expected to be finalized next year following regulatory approval.

Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar is aimed at catching up with SpaceX, a leader in the satellite communications sector. While SpaceX currently possesses a satellite network of 10,000, Amazon’s fleet currently numbers only around 200. Amazon had initially applied for and received approval to launch 1,600 new satellites by July of this year but has been facing difficulties in building its own satellite network, including recently requesting a grace period from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

New York City’s newly introduced free childcare program for 2-year-olds (2-K) will be expanded to a full-day, year-round operation. According to the city, the free 2-K program, starting with the new school year this September, will operate all day (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for 260 days a year.

This measure differentiates it from the existing free childcare programs for 3-K and Pre-Kindergarten. Currently, these programs generally provide childcare for only about 7 hours a day for 180 days based on the academic calendar, from September to June of the following year; consequently, some families, such as dual-income households, are forced to bear additional childcare costs for after-school and summer vacations. New York City aims to begin allocating 2,000 spots this fall semester, expand by an additional 10,000 by the fall of 2027, and fully implement the program by 2030.

The 2-K program will be launched for the first time this year in five school districts across four boroughs: Queens District 27 (Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach, Rockaway, Springfield Gardens, etc.), Manhattan District 6 (Washington Heights, Inwood, Hamilton Heights, etc.), Brooklyn Districts 18 and 23 (Brownsville, Ocean Hill, East Flatbush, etc.), and Bronx District 10 (Fortham, Belmont, Norwood, Van Cortland Village).

Mayor Zoran Mamdani explained that this measure is an important step toward realizing universal free childcare and reflects the realistic lifestyles of dual-income families. He stated, “Childcare programs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. are insufficient for parents who work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in many households,” adding, “In the meantime, parents have been forced to choose between making a living and raising children, or have had to deplete their savings to cover their working hours.” He further emphasized, “Universal childcare must actually be tailored to the lives of working people, and that is exactly what begins with full-day, year-round 2-K.”

Applications for the 2-K program begin in June and are open to children who will turn two in 2026.

Anyone can apply regardless of zip code, income, or immigration status.