Join KieKie on a Nike shopping spree and discover the best sports outfits for style and comfort! In this episode, you’ll get an exclusive look at the latest Nike sportswear collections and find out how to choose the perfect outfit for your sporty style. From sneakers to stylish tops and joggers, KieKie has got you covered.
“Shopaholic” takes viewers on a vibrant shopping spree through the bustling city of Lagos. KieKie, the charismatic host, explores a myriad of stores, unveiling hidden gems and sharing valuable insights on local finds. From fashion to gadgets, she guides the audience through her favorite picks, offering an insider’s perspective on each location.
The series captures her candid reactions to the city’s eclectic shopping scene and reveals the costs of indulging in the metropolitan lifestyle. Engaging with viewers as shopping companions, each episode is a dynamic journey, showcasing KieKie’s final selections.
Season 1, the Lagos edition, sets the stage for thrilling retail adventures. Expect Season 2 to explore Abuja, and in Season 3, the show will be coming to your country, city, or town. Don’t forget to let the host know about the shopping plugs in your area.
New episodes premiere every Friday on Lady Laide Media’s YouTube channel. Viewers are invited to subscribe and turn on post notifications for the series to stay updated. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore and shop along, discovering the vibrant retail landscape of Nigeria!
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/waves-crash-on-a-beach-in-cuba.jpg?id=61194733&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you're planning a beach getaway to Cuba this year, there's a new <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/travel-advisories" target="_blank">rule you should know about before boarding your flight</a>.</p><p>As of July 1, 2025, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-cuba-travel-visa" target="_blank">Cuba has officially switched to an electronic visa (e-visa) system</a> for most foreign travellers, including Canadians. That means the old tourist card — the paper slip you used to get at the airport or through a travel agent — is no longer valid for entry.</p><p>While many Canadians won't need to lift a finger because their visa is already bundled with their airline ticket, others may have to apply separately, depending on how they're getting there.</p><p>To help avoid surprises at the airport, here's a breakdown of what's changed and how to make sure you're cleared for takeoff.</p><h3>Do Canadians need a visa to enter Cuba now?</h3><br/><p>Yes. All Canadian citizens now require a tourist visa (e-visa) to travel to Cuba. <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba_ga=2.174780322.1263746250.1752253208-461860707.1752253208" target="_blank">According to the Government of Canada</a>, tourists are allowed to stay up to 90 days under this visa, with the option to extend once you're there</p><h3>What happened to the old tourist card?</h3><br/><p>Cuba has phased out the old paper-based tourist card system that Canadians were used to. It's now replaced by a digital e-visa, which must be obtained in advance.</p><h3>How do I get the new e-visa</h3><br/><p>There are two main ways, depending on how you're travelling:</p><p>If you're flying direct from Canada with a major airline like Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing, or WestJet, the visa is typically included in your travel package. Check with your airline or tour operator to confirm.</p><p>If you're flying through the U.S., Mexico, or another third country, or using an airline that doesn't include the visa, you must apply for the e-visa yourself. You can apply online at <a href="https://www.immi-assist.online/destinations/cuba/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22515455181&gbraid=0AAAAAqUQub_R2v7gzxzKx5Y57ox2E4qfX&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MLDBhAuEiwAIeXGIUneSQu0XgM9pApkZBn9yITPPtQdsc3aj3fWd6vctvAZ4sYtfXmBbxoCVxUQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">evisacuba.com</a> or contact the Cuban Consulate in Montreal (located on Décarie Boulevard) to request it manually.</p><p>Processing time for the document is approximately 48 hours.</p><h3>How much does the Cuba e-visa cost?</h3><br/><p>If you're applying independently, the visa costs $24 CAD. Payments can be made via Interac e-transfer, money order, cheque, or in person at the consulate.</p><h3>How long can I stay in Cuba on this visa</h3><br/><p>The tourist visa allows Canadians to stay in Cuba for up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer, you can request a one-time extension while you're already in the country.</p><h3>Is there anything else I need to submit before flying?</h3><br/><p>Yes — all travellers to Cuba must complete the <a href="https://www.cubaunbound.com/filling-out-cuba-dviajeros-travel-form" target="_blank">D'Viajeros online customs and health form</a> at least 48 hours before departure. Once completed, you'll receive a QR code by email, which must be shown at check-in and again upon arrival in Cuba.</p><h3>What other travel rules should I know?</h3><br/><p>According to <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba" target="_blank">Canada's official travel page</a>, here are a few other important notes:</p><ul><li>Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry into Cuba.</li><li>Health insurance is mandatory and must cover you for medical care in Cuba. You may be asked to show proof upon arrival.</li><li>You're not allowed to leave Cuba with more than US$5,000 or its equivalent without special authorization.</li></ul><p><br/></p><p>For more information on travel advisories regarding Cuba, you can visit <a href="https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cuba_ga=2.174780322.1263746250.1752253208-461860707.1752253208" target="_blank">travel.gc.ca</a>.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/shelves-at-a-canadian-grocery-store.jpg?id=61429794&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=45%2C0%2C45%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Back in February, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-tourism-ad-american" target="_blank">tensions between Canada and the United States</a> escalated after President Donald Trump announced <a href="https://www.narcity.com/trump-tariffs-canada-how-might-impact-you" target="_blank">steep tariffs on Canadian imports</a>. Framed as a national security issue by the White House, the move was seen as a slap in the face to one of America's closest allies.</p><p>Almost overnight, a grassroots boycott movement emerged across Canada. Shoppers pledged to avoid U.S. products, travel, and chains, and social media lit up with calls to "buy Canadian" in protest. Even small actions, like <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/made-in-canada-grocery-items" target="_blank">skipping American-made ketchup</a> or <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-airport-us-travel-canada" target="_blank">cancelling cross-border trips</a>, became political statements.</p><p>Now, nearly half a year later, the North American trade war is still on, and maple leaves on labels are a regular part of the grocery shopping experience. With that in mind, we recently asked MTL Blog readers if they're <em>still</em> boycotting the U.S. — and how. The answers were varied, thoughtful, and in some cases, downright surprising. </p><p>Here are some of the top responses from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MTLBlog/posts/are-canadians-still-boycotting-the-usa/1205029894998252/" target="_blank">Facebook post</a>, which has amassed over 5,000 replies. </p><h3>Yes</h3><br/><p>For most of the readers who responded to the post, the boycott is alive and well. One user, firm in their resolve, shared that they're "100% not going [to the U.S.] for at least 3 1/2 more years," adding that they regularly check labels to buy Canadian whenever possible.</p><p>Another reader said they've made a point to cut ties across the board: "Vacation, food, booze — I make a deliberate effort to choose away from US."</p><p>Someone who recently travelled across the border noted the drop in traffic, remarking that "there wasn't a single car in the line at the border," and took that as evidence that the boycott is working.</p><p>For others, though, the decision plays out in smaller, everyday moments, like putting down a tempting snack. One user recounted spotting "beautiful looking green grapes on sale" only to place them back on the shelf after discovering they were grown in the U.S. "Couldn't do it," they wrote. "Put them back and went without."</p><p>Another commenter drew a firm line: "All my food produce has to be Canada first, Mexico second, and any other countries but the US."</p><p>Plenty of folks said opting for local goods has been easy, since Canadian products are of "better quality."</p><p>The boycott has shaped the vacation plans of Canadians, too. "I'm sitting here in Cuba because I'll never go to America again," said one user.</p><p>Others made it clear this isn't a new lifestyle, just a strengthened one. "I was buying only Canadian before the trade war hit," wrote a long-time supporter of local goods. "This trade war made me confirm even more that buying only Canadian is and was a proper thing to do."</p><h3>Yes, but only as long as Trump is in charge</h3><br/><p>A common thread among many responses was that their boycott wasn't about the U.S. as a whole, but specifically about its current leadership.</p><p>"Is Trump still president? There's your answer," wrote one reader.</p><p>"As long as Trump is the head of state," said another, "I'm out."</p><p>Others echoed that they're sticking to the boycott "until Trump leaves," suggesting their protest is less about trade and more about politics.</p><p>"Will miss going to the States, but will stay home as long as that bully is in charge," one comment read.</p><p>The Trump administration's <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-border-travel-advisory-us" target="_blank">enhanced border security measures</a>, which include possible searches of electronic devices like phones and laptops, also seem to be playing a part, with one commenter saying they'd "rather not take the chance of unlawful detainment, among other things."</p><p>One user even took it as far as revealing that their future travel plans could be shaped by the next administration: "I will not go to the US until Trump is gone. And then I will have to decide if I will go, depending upon who replaces Trump."</p><h3>It depends</h3><br/><p>Several readers took a more nuanced approach, saying they will head south of the border. As for their shopping habits, decisions often come down to context. "If the Canadian option is low quality, I'm going to pay more for quality than buy a cheap product that needs to be replaced sooner" one reader explained.</p><p>Another pointed out that "if the product is made in the USA, I won't buy it," but added that if it’s "a U.S. company but made and produced in Canada, then yes, I buy."</p><h3>No</h3><br/><p>Of course, not everyone jumped on the boycott bandwagon. Some admitted they never saw the point. "Nope… never did," one person put it simply.</p><p>A few felt the whole idea missed the mark. "Ordinary Americans deserve our support," one commenter wrote. "Local businesses and cross-border towns… they are welcome in Canada too."</p><p>For others, it mostly comes down to the price tag. "Whatever is better for me," said one practical shopper. "If local strawberries are $9 and American [ones] are $3, I'm buying American."</p><p>Another kept it short and sweet, revealing that they are simply "going with the cheapest."</p><p>And for one user, it was all about getting the most bang for their buck: "The combination of cheaper price and best quality products makes my wallet happier! I don't care [about the] product's nationality."</p>
The Higher Education and Training Department says adult illiteracy remains a major challenge in South Africa. It says poverty and inequality are driving it. The…
