US Makes Visa Bond Permanent for 50 Countries: Bonds Start at $10,000

SEOUL: A North Korean-linked hacking group has reportedly expanded its use of artificial intelligence to strengthen cyberattacks, automate operations and analyse stolen data. The group, identified as Kimsuky, has developed and collected a range of AI-related tools that could help its operators conduct attacks more efficiently, according to a South Korean cybersecurity company. The company said it discovered infrastructure linked to Kimsuky containing several programs designed to run and manage artificial intelligence models locally. These included Ollama, GPT4All and Msty. The hackers also appeared to be using retrieval-augmented generation technology. The system can help AI models search and process large collections of documents. Researchers said the use of locally operated AI models could allow the group to analyse sensitive information without sending data to external AI services. This could give hackers greater control over stolen material and reduce their reliance on third-party platforms. The investigation also uncovered AI agent development frameworks, speech-to-text software and an AI-assisted coding tool called Cursor. According to the cybersecurity firm, the findings indicate that Kimsuky may be moving beyond the simple use of generative AI for creating phishing messages. The group could now be seeking to integrate existing AI models into different stages of its cyber operations. These may include malware development, stolen-data analysis and attack automation. Researchers also identified documents related to finance and cryptocurrency on the infrastructure. Some of the files appeared to have been generated using artificial intelligence. The documents were designed to look like legitimate investment reports and other professional workplace material. Such files could potentially be used as decoys or to make malicious campaigns appear more credible. The findings have not been independently verified. However, cybersecurity researchers and government agencies have repeatedly linked North Korean state-backed groups to international cyber operations. North Korean cyber units have been accused of conducting espionage campaigns, stealing money and targeting cryptocurrency-related assets. Authorities in the United States and South Korea have previously warned about the activities of such groups. Kimsuky has long been associated with cyber-espionage operations targeting governments, organisations and individuals. The group has also been accused of gathering intelligence to support North Korea’s strategic interests. The latest findings point to a growing role for artificial intelligence in cyber operations. Security researchers have warned that AI tools can make phishing campaigns more convincing and help attackers process information and develop malicious software more quickly.

Africa could suffer economic losses of between $10 billion and $20 billion if a powerful El Niño weather pattern develops, the African Development Bank’s climate chief has warned. The expected weather event could bring severe droughts, floods and storms to different parts of Africa. It could put additional pressure on food supplies, water resources and government finances. Anthony Nyong, the African Development Bank’s director for climate change and green growth, said countries facing the worst effects could see their gross domestic product decline by around 1% to 2%. He said the potential losses could amount to between $10 billion and $20 billion across the continent. The warning comes as forecasters monitor rising temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Current conditions have raised concerns that the next El Niño could become unusually strong. El Niño is a climate pattern that can significantly change weather conditions in different parts of the world. In Africa, it can contribute to drought, heavy rainfall, flooding and storms. A severe event could deepen existing climate problems across the continent. The Sahel region has already faced serious drought conditions in recent years. Other parts of Africa are still recovering from major storms and floods. Nyong warned that the economic consequences may continue long after the weather event ends. He pointed to Mozambique’s experience after Cyclone Idai in 2019. The country needed years to recover from the damage caused by the storm. Agriculture could be among the sectors hit hardest by the expected climate shock. The previous El Niño, which occurred during 2023 and 2024, brought severe drought to Southern Africa. East Africa experienced heavy rainfall and flooding. The extreme weather contributed to crop failures and higher food prices. Coastal areas also recorded unusually high sea levels. African farmers are already facing substantial losses. The African Development Bank estimates that agricultural losses could reach around $327 million this year. Fishing communities could also suffer. Rising sea temperatures and storms are expected to affect fisheries productivity. The bank estimates that fisheries productivity could decline by between 1% and 4%. Nyong warned that food shortages could become a major concern if the expected weather pattern intensifies. Maize is particularly important because it is a major staple food in many African countries. A significant decline in production could push prices higher and increase pressure on vulnerable households. The expected disaster could also put further pressure on national budgets. Many African governments already have limited resources to respond to climate emergencies. Severe weather could force them to spend more on relief, reconstruction and infrastructure repairs. This could mean less money for health, education and development projects. Nyong described the situation as a “climate finance trap”. Countries may have to divert funds from essential services to deal with climate-related emergencies. The African Development Bank is preparing to assess the possible effects of El Niño on its investments. The bank plans to hold a major seminar in September. Senior officials will examine the potential risks to existing and planned projects. The institution is also prepared to restructure some projects if necessary. It will work with affected countries to seek additional international climate financing. Possible sources include the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund and Climate Investment Funds. New loss-and-damage financing mechanisms could also provide support to countries suffering serious climate impacts. The expected strength of El Niño could increase Africa’s climate financing needs significantly. Nyong estimated that the continent could require up to $100 billion this year to strengthen climate resilience and adaptation. He said the need for climate adaptation funding was already extremely high. The possible El Niño event could add billions of dollars to that requirement. The financing gap remains a major challenge for developing countries. Without sufficient funding, vulnerable countries may struggle to prepare for droughts, floods and storms before they occur. The humanitarian consequences could be severe if drought and food shortages intensify. Nyong warned that large numbers of people could be forced to leave their homes in search of food, water and livelihoods. Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Mali, Burundi and Nigeria were among the countries identified as potentially vulnerable to severe impacts. Agricultural losses could leave many communities without reliable sources of income. Shortages of water and grazing land could also increase competition between communities. Such pressures could worsen instability in regions already affected by conflict, poverty and displacement. The African Development Bank has therefore called for greater investment in preparedness and climate resilience. Nyong stressed that governments should act before disasters strike rather than wait until the damage has already occurred.

Delhi has launched one of India’s boldest electric vehicle plans as authorities step up efforts to reduce dangerous air pollution in the capital. The new policy, introduced on July 1, aims to ensure that most newly registered vehicles in the city are electric by 2027. Officials believe the move will improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions, although experts say its success will depend on expanding charging facilities and strengthening the electricity network. Across several parts of Delhi, electric vehicle charging stations are becoming increasingly busy as more residents switch to battery powered scooters, cars and commercial vehicles. Even so, many drivers say the city still lacks enough charging points to support widespread use. Shyam Singh, who uses an electric scooter for work, said the existing infrastructure is not sufficient, especially for people who travel long distances. He explained that limited battery range and the shortage of charging stations remain major concerns for potential buyers. Under the new policy, existing petrol and diesel vehicles will not be banned, but the government expects their numbers to decline over time as electric vehicles become more common. Buyers will receive financial incentives including subsidies, exemptions from registration fees and some road taxes. People who scrap older fuel powered vehicles will also qualify for additional cash rewards. Authorities estimate the policy will cost around 150 billion rupees and is designed to encourage faster adoption of cleaner transport across the city. The plan focuses heavily on two and three wheelers, which make up nearly 70 percent of vehicles on Delhi’s roads. From 2027, all newly registered three wheelers and small commercial trucks must be electric. The same requirement will apply to newly registered two wheelers from the following year. Larger passenger cars and heavy vehicles running on conventional fuels will still be allowed for now. Electric vehicles currently account for only about five percent of the nearly 8.7 million vehicles registered in Delhi. However, registrations have grown steadily over the past year, with more than 100,000 new electric vehicles added, most of them scooters and auto rickshaws. Experts say the latest policy sends a clear signal that the city is committed to reducing dependence on fossil fuel powered transport. Energy specialists have described Delhi’s strategy as one of the most ambitious electric vehicle policies introduced by any Indian state. Jaideep Saraswat of the Vasudha Foundation said the firm deadlines make it clear that the transition to electric transport is unavoidable. He believes the policy will encourage both manufacturers and consumers to prepare for a future where electric vehicles dominate the market. Delhi has struggled with severe air pollution for years, particularly during winter when smog often reaches hazardous levels. The city regularly experiences school closures, restrictions on construction and emergency health measures because of poor air quality. Vehicles contribute around one quarter of pollution across the National Capital Region, while two and three wheelers alone account for almost half of transport related emissions within the city. Analysts say Delhi has already taken important steps toward cleaner transport in the past, including shifting many public vehicles to compressed natural gas. According to energy experts, electric vehicles represented around 12.7 percent of new vehicle sales in Delhi during the 2026 financial year, compared with the national average of 8.3 percent. They believe the latest policy builds on that progress by linking financial incentives with strict registration deadlines for conventional vehicles. Despite the optimism, several challenges remain. Some residents are still hesitant to switch because they worry about battery life, charging convenience and the effect of seasonal flooding on electric vehicles. Others believe more advanced and affordable models will become available in the coming years, making it worthwhile to delay their purchase. Experts also stress that expanding charging infrastructure is only part of the solution. Delhi must increase the use of renewable energy to power electric vehicles and modernize its electricity grid to handle rising demand. Fast charging stations, battery storage systems and better electricity management will all be necessary to support large scale adoption. Specialists also believe cooperation with neighboring states will be essential to reduce emissions from the wider power network and create a cleaner transport system for the entire region.

US President Donald Trump announced that the international Board of Peace has reached a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in the Gaza Strip. Under the proposed framework, Hamas has agreed to the phased inventorying, storage, and decommissioning of its heavy and light weaponry under Palestinian supervision, marking the first time in the group’s history that it has accepted a formal plan to disarm completely. The agreement forms the core of the second phase of the US-brokered 20-point peace plan designed to end the long-running war. According to the terms, Israeli military forces will gradually withdraw from Gaza as disarmament milestones are met, transferring local security to an International Stabilisation Force operating alongside a newly formed Palestinian police force. Civil administration will simultaneously transition to a technocratic governing body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. The breakthrough follows months of intensive negotiations in Cairo mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Internal momentum within Hamas shifted following leadership elections that elevated Gaza-based leader Khalil al-Hayya, alongside mounting pressure from the severe humanitarian crisis affecting over two million residents in the enclave. Senior Hamas officials confirmed their acceptance of the framework and indicated an official statement would be issued shortly, expecting mediators and the Board of Peace to guarantee Israeli compliance with the withdrawal timeline. Uncertainties remain regarding full implementation, as Israeli officials have expressed skepticism and maintained that complete demilitarisation remains a non-negotiable prerequisite. US officials acknowledged that whilst full disarmament and troop withdrawal could take up to a year, the consensus represents the most viable operational roadmap for ending the conflict to date.

Car leasing in the United States has dropped significantly in recent years as automakers reduce incentives and consumers struggle with rising monthly payments. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, leasing accounted for nearly 30% of new vehicle deals in the US. However, the share fell sharply during the post-pandemic vehicle shortage and has not fully recovered. In the first half of 2026, leasing represented around 23% of new car transactions. Industry experts say one of the biggest reasons behind the decline is the end of attractive lease offers that previously encouraged customers to choose leasing over buying. Automakers have become less willing to provide low-cost lease deals as they focus on maintaining tighter vehicle inventories and reducing discounts. As a result, many customers returning after the end of their lease terms are facing significantly higher monthly payments. Dealers say some customers are surprised to find their next lease costing hundreds of dollars more than their previous agreement, causing many to reconsider leasing altogether. The decline in leasing has added pressure to vehicle affordability in the US market. Some buyers are now choosing longer financing plans, including loans lasting up to seven years, to manage higher vehicle prices. Leasing usually allows customers to drive newer vehicles with lower monthly payments compared with traditional financing. The average lease payment remains lower than loan payments, but industry analysts say the gap has narrowed significantly. Experts believe automakers changed their approach after the 2021–2023 vehicle shortage caused by semiconductor supply disruptions. Limited inventories helped companies reduce incentives and maintain stronger pricing power. The decline in leasing is also affecting the used-car market. Vehicles returned after three-year leases have traditionally provided dealerships with a steady supply of affordable pre-owned cars. With fewer leased vehicles coming back to the market, used-car supplies have tightened and prices have increased. Data from industry analysts shows that average prices for three-year-old used vehicles have risen substantially compared with pre-pandemic levels. Dealers warn that fewer lease customers could also weaken long-term customer loyalty, as leasing often brings buyers back to showrooms every few years for new vehicles