You’ll Pay Dramatically More to Visit the Louvre Next Year

Last Thursday, the Louvre Museum board decided to raise ticket prices for non-European Union visitors by 45%. Currently, a ticket costs €22 ($26); starting early next year, it will cost Americans €32 ($37). The funds will be used to upgrade the museum after a heist in October raised alarms about its security and infrastructure.

The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, with 8.7 million visitors in 2024. As part of its modernization efforts, the famous Mona Lisa will be moved to a new space to reduce overcrowding.

Starting next year, foreign visitors will pay more to enter U.S. national parks. An international tourist will pay an extra $100 per person on top of existing fees to access the 11 most popular national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and Yosemite. Additionally, an annual pass will cost a nonresident $250, while residents can still buy it for $80.

The move is being hailed as an American families-first approach. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum explained in a statement, “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

A 69-year-old security guard was attacked by a bear in a public toilet near a train station in Gunma prefecture. The man noticed the bear as he was leaving the restroom. He fell on his back, fought off the bear by kicking it, and ran to a nearby police box. He received minor injuries to his leg.

Since April, a record 13 people have been killed in Japan due to bear attacks, and more than 197 attacks have occurred during the same period. Several countries have warned travelers to be careful when visiting bear-populated areas. Authorities are also taking measures to keep people safe; in Kyoto, multilingual signs advise people on what to do if they see a bear.

Related: U.S. Issues Travel Warning for Japan for a Very Unusual Reason

Two Swiss tourists were attacked by a shark in New South Wales, Australia, killing a woman. The couple, believed to be in their 20s, were filming dolphins at 6:30 a.m. on the unpatrolled Crowdy Beach. The woman died at the scene, and the man was seriously injured. After the incident, authorities restricted access to nearby beaches.

Bystanders helped the tourists before paramedics arrived. Ambulance Superintendent Joshua Smyth said that a bystander potentially saved the man’s life by putting a makeshift tourniquet around his leg.

A Delta flight with 54 passengers and four crew members skidded off the runway at Des Moines International Airport. The incident happened at 9:30 p.m. on a flight originating from Detroit. Due to icy conditions, the aircraft left the paved surface of the taxiway during landing, Delta confirmed. Fortunately, no one was injured, and all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. The airport remained closed for several hours after the incident.

A winter storm gripped the Midwest over Thanksgiving weekend. More than 1,900 flights were canceled on Saturday, and over 700 were canceled on Sunday, with Chicago, New York, Boston, and Des Moines particularly affected. Travelers also faced other disruptions during the record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend. In Indiana, heavy snow caused a major pileup on Interstate 70, with 45 vehicles crashing at around 11:28 a.m. on Saturday. The wreck closed the highway for several hours, but no major injuries were reported.