A MANHUNT IS UNDERWAY FOR MAN WHO SHOT A GRANITE CITY POLICE OFFICER MULTIPLE TIMES.(PHOTO).
The U.S. passport has fallen out of the top 10 most powerful in the world for the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Passport Index. The ranking, which measures visa-free travel access across 227 destinations using data from the International Air Transport Association, now places the U.S. at 12th, tied with Malaysia, with access to 180 countries. This marks a sharp decline from its No. 1 position in 2014.
Experts attribute the slide to a combination of U.S. policy changes and global trends. Restrictions under the Trump administration, including visa suspensions for travelers from multiple nations and the loss of visa-free access to countries like Brazil, China, and Vietnam, have contributed to the passport’s weakening standing. Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, noted that nations embracing openness and cooperation are rising, while those relying on past privileges are falling behind. Singapore now tops the list with access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea and Japan. Analysts say the decline signals broader shifts in global mobility and reflects an inward turn in U.S. policy over recent years.
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