Starting August 20, 2025, the United States will introduce a visa bond pilot program targeting nationals from Malawi and Zambia, requiring them to post refundable bonds before entering the country. The Department of State has identified these two nations due to their high B1/B2 visa overstay rates, as reported in the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2023 Overstay Report.

Under the new program, travelers applying for temporary visitor visas (B-1/B-2) who are nationals of Malawi or Zambia must deposit a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 during their visa application process. The exact bond amount will be determined by consular officers at the time of the visa interview. Applicants are required to submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352, agreeing to the bond terms via the Department of the Treasury’s Pay.gov platform.

This 12-month pilot initiative, running from August 20, 2025, to August 5, 2026, aims to strengthen visa compliance among travelers from countries with high overstay rates or inadequate screening information. Visa overstay refers to individuals who remain in the US beyond their authorized admission period.

According to the latest FY 2023 data, Malawi has a notably high overstay rate for B1/B2 visas — 14.32% for those entering by land and 4.17% by air or sea. Student visa overstays (F-1, M, J visas) from Malawi reach 19.71%. Zambia similarly exhibits overstay rates exceeding 10%. For comparison, India reported a much lower total overstay rate of 1.58%, with 1.29% for B1/B2 visa holders.

The bond will be fully refunded if the traveler complies with their visa terms, departs the US on or before their authorized stay, does not travel to the US before visa expiration, or is denied admission at the port of entry. The list of nations subject to this pilot program may be amended, with a 15-day notice before implementation of any changes.

This program represents a significant shift in visa policy, emphasizing accountability and encouraging lawful compliance among temporary visitors from selected countries. Travelers affected by this bond pilot are urged to prepare for the new financial and procedural requirements ahead of their visa application or travel plans.

Emirates Airline is set to enforce a significant new safety regulation starting 1 October 2025, banning the use of power banks on all its flights. While passengers will still be allowed to carry one power bank onboard—provided it is under 100 Watt Hours and properly labeled—they will no longer be able to use or recharge these devices during the flight.

This move comes as part of Emirates' proactive safety measures following a rise in incidents related to lithium battery-powered devices, particularly power banks, across the aviation sector. Power banks, which use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries to recharge smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras, pose risks such as 'thermal runaway.' This dangerous phenomenon occurs when a battery overheats uncontrollably, potentially leading to fires, explosions, or toxic gas emissions.

Specifically, Emirates' updated rules mandate:

• Only one power bank under 100 Wh capacity may be carried per passenger.
• ower banks cannot be used to charge personal devices during the flight.
• Charging a power bank via the aircraft’s power outlets is prohibited.
• Power banks must have visible capacity ratings.
• They must be stored in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front—use of overhead bins for power banks is banned.
• Power banks remain prohibited in checked luggage, consistent with existing rules.

The airline explains that while many modern devices have internal protections to prevent overcharging, many basic power banks do not, increasing safety risks. By requiring power banks to be stowed within easy reach of cabin crew, Emirates aims to enable swift response to any battery-related fire emergencies.

Passengers familiar with Emirates' long-haul service have expressed understanding and acceptance of the new rules, recognizing safety as the overriding priority. The airline continues its commitment to maintaining high safety standards by adapting policies in response to evolving risks associated with portable electronic devices.

This comprehensive safety update aligns Emirates with industry trends addressing lithium battery hazards, reflecting a growing aviation focus on mitigating in-flight fire risks linked to personal electronic accessories.

In light of recent tragic events involving Emirati tourists in Turkey, the UAE Embassy in Ankara has issued comprehensive travel safety recommendations for Emirati citizens planning visits to the country. These guidelines aim to ensure travelers enjoy a secure and hassle-free experience during their trips.

The embassy strongly urges all Emirati travelers to register themselves and accompanying family members with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Twajudi” service and to verify that their passports have at least six months’ validity remaining. Financial preparations are also emphasized: travelers should check Turkey’s local transaction preferences whether bank cards or cash are favored and confirm that their payment cards are activated for international use with their respective banks.

Travelers are advised to consult country-specific travel advisories available via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website and mobile app. Special attention should be paid well in advance to visa requirements, particularly for domestic workers accompanying travelers. The embassy also recommends keeping copies of all identification documents and strictly observing local traffic laws to promote personal and public safety.

Additional safety measures include verifying that vehicle ownership documents correspond exactly with the traveler’s passport name, fulfilling any health requirements mandated by Turkish authorities, and reviewing procedures for recognizing or exchanging Emirati driver’s licenses—all detailed through the ministry’s travel advisory platforms.

These precautions follow a fatal accident on August 8 near Balık Lake in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, northern Turkey, when a tourist bus carrying Emirati family members veered off the road and overturned. According to Turkey’s IHA news agency, emergency responders swiftly arrived following calls from local residents and other tourists. Rescue teams worked extensively to extract the trapped passengers.

Tragically, two family members, 18-year-old Maryam Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim and 32-year-old Abdul Majid Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, were confirmed dead. Three others—15-year-old Ibrahim Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, 53-year-old Samira Mohammed Abdul Rahman, and 60-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim sustained injuries and were hospitalized for treatment.

The UAE Embassy’s advisory stresses that rigorous preparation and adherence to safety protocols are vital for Emirati citizens traveling to Turkey, aiming to prevent incidents like this and safeguard the wellbeing of all travelers.

This announcement serves as a timely reminder of the importance of thorough travel planning amid ongoing tourism exchanges between the UAE and Turkey.

Hyundai Department Store’s shares surged 7.1% recently, buoyed by strong second-quarter business results that exceeded market expectations. For Q2 2025, the company reported consolidated operating profit of 86.9 billion won, marking a 102.8% increase year-on-year, and consolidated sales rose 5.5% to 1.803 trillion won. Notably, net profit returned to a surplus of 54.5 billion won during this period.

However, it is worth noting that sales and operating profit in Hyundai's core department store business declined slightly in Q2, with sales falling 3.6% to 590.1 billion won and operating profit down 2.3% to 69.3 billion won. This was attributed partly to reduced operating area due to major store renovations and renewal activities. On the other hand, their subsidiaries showed robust performance: duty-free stores grew sales by 22% while reducing operating losses, and Zinus, an online furniture company under Hyundai, posted an 11.2% sales increase and turned an operating profit of 29.1 billion won.

Hyundai Department Store has also been proactive with shareholder returns, declaring an interim cash dividend of 500 won per common share, reflecting a market dividend rate of 0.7% and total dividend payments of 10.78 billion won.

In response to evolving market trends and consumer behavior, Hyundai is focusing heavily on store renovations and leveraging technology. It launched “Heydi,” an AI shopping assistant for personalized in-store experiences, combining offline retail with generative AI-powered services to attract and engage customers, aiming to set a new shopping concept standard in Korea.

Despite the department store segment’s challenges, Hyundai Department Store's overall financial health and strategic initiatives are generating renewed investor confidence, positioning the company well for stronger performance in the second half of 2025 amid improving domestic consumption trends.

This comprehensive growth across core and subsidiary operations, alongside innovative customer engagement efforts, underpins the recent stock price surge and optimistic outlook for Hyundai Department Store moving forward.

In a significant stride toward regional stability, Turkey on Saturday warmly welcomed the historic peace agreement brokered between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The accord, signed on Friday during a high-profile meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, also includes plans for a strategically vital transit corridor aimed at boosting energy exports and trade through the South Caucasus.

The newly established peace deal marks a breakthrough in the protracted conflict between the two neighbors. Central to the agreement is the creation of a U.S.-sanctioned transport route passing through Armenia, connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave, which borders Turkey. This corridor, dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), is expected to operate under Armenian jurisdiction, traversing the area near the Iranian border.

Turkey, a NATO ally and strong supporter of Azerbaijan during past conflicts, expressed hope that this corridor will soon open, describing it as a game-changer for regional connectivity. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking from Cairo, highlighted the corridor's potential to “link Europe with the depths of Asia via Turkey,” calling it “a very beneficial development” for economic cooperation.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reinforced Ankara’s commitment to the peace process by engaging directly with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Erdogan praised the agreement and affirmed Turkey’s readiness to support enduring peace in the often-turbulent South Caucasus region.

The region, rich in energy resources and a crucial transit zone bridging Russia, Europe, Turkey, and Iran, has long been mired in ethnic conflicts and closed borders. This breakthrough could open new avenues for energy transport, trade, and diplomacy, overcoming decades of division.

Iran welcomed the accord as a significant move toward “lasting regional peace,” while cautioning against foreign interventions near its borders that might threaten stability.

As regional powers watch closely, this historic peace pact and the proposed transit corridor could redefine the geopolitical landscape of the South Caucasus, fostering cooperation and economic growth in an area long marked by conflict.

Kuwait has launched a new welcome gesture for expatriates residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by allowing them to obtain tourist visas on arrival. This latest resolution from the Ministry of Interior permits eligible GCC expats to enter Kuwait hassle-free with a tourist visa issued directly at any border or airport entry point.

To qualify, travelers must possess a valid passport alongside a residence permit in a GCC country valid for at least six months. This significant update, formalized under Ministerial Resolution No. 1386 of 2025 and signed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, repeals the earlier 2008 resolution and aligns with Kuwait’s updated Foreigners’ Residence Law enacted in 2024.

The move streamlines travel for the GCC’s extensive expatriate community, fostering greater regional mobility and tourism. The resolution officially took effect with its publication in Kuwait’s Official Gazette on August 6, 2025, marking a new era of more accessible travel to Kuwait for residents of neighboring Gulf states.

This initiative is expected to promote closer ties and increased tourism exchanges among GCC countries while simplifying border procedures for expatriates living and working within the Gulf region. The Ministry of Interior’s proactive step reflects Kuwait’s commitment to facilitating smoother entry protocols and enhancing visitor experiences in line with modern travel trends.