On Feb. 9, 2010, the State Department proposed increases — possibly to go into effect as soon as mid-April — in all fees for applications for US passports and passport cards.

The total cost of a first-time adult passport now will be $135 (up from $100), and an adult passport renewal will cost $110 (was $95). A set of extra passport pages, which were free, now will cost $82. For the complete table of fees, visit http://travel.state.gov.

Cell phone service providers lose revenue when people use VoIP (voice over internet protocol) on their mobile phones to link to the Internet and make free phone calls with programs like Skype.

In March, the Egyptian government banned the use of services like Skype for cell phone calls made over Egypt’s three national mobile networks (Vodafone, Mobinil and Etisalat). The ban does not affect cell phones using international mobile phone providers. Also, the ban does not affect fixed-line...

After floods and landslides wiped out access to Machu Picchu in January-February, repairs allowed Peru Rail to begin limited train service on April 1. It was expected that by May, repairs would support heavier locomotives and full trains. 

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, strictly limited, can be purchased only in Cusco. Visitors travel from Cusco by bus or car (about three hours) or from Ollantaytambo to the Piscacucho station and board the train there. Rail repairs between Cusco...