US State Department introduces $750 premium service for expedited visa interviews
via Algérie3602 min read
The US State Department has launched a new premium service allowing tourists and professionals to pay $750 for an expedited non-immigrant visa interview B1/B2, business, and tourism. This service aims to reduce the current waiting times, which can exceed twelve months in some countries. The $750 fee is in addition to the standard $185 application fee and is non-refundable. This "premium option" will be available at select consular posts and in limited quantities. Applicants must pay the fee within 5 to 10 minutes of selecting a priority slot, or the reservation will be lost. The service does not guarantee visa approval. This six-month pilot program, set to begin on July 1 and end on December 31, is projected to generate $19.3 million annually from approximately 25,700 applications. The initiative comes amid complaints from the US tourism industry regarding excessive visa processing delays, which industry leaders like Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, argue negatively impact the country's attractiveness and competitiveness in international tourism. Since his re-election in 2025, Donald Trump's administration has intensified measures targeting foreign tourists, including 22 new migratory taxes added to the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act." One such measure, a $250 visa integrity tax, is currently frozen due to strong opposition from the tourism sector, despite being slated for implementation in 2026.
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Must ReadThe 2026 World Happiness Report, supported by the UN, assesses citizen satisfaction in over 140 countries, considering six key factors: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and political transparency. In Africa, the top 10 happiest countries exhibit diverse strengths. Mauritius 73rd globally, Libya 81st, and Algeria 83rd lead the continent, with Mauritius benefiting from stability and governance, Libya from strong family solidarity, and Algeria from subsidized social protection. Other countries in the top 10 include Mozambique 93rd with community cohesion, Gabon 96th due to oil wealth, Côte d'Ivoire 98th with economic growth, and Cameroon 100th with a diversified economy. South Africa 101st faces challenges from inequality and unemployment, while Niger 103rd demonstrates happiness through local solidarity, and Tunisia 105th is affected by a tense socio-economic context. The report emphasizes that happiness is not solely tied to wealth, as countries with modest economies can rank highly due to strong community support, trusted institutions, and family ties. The 2026 edition also examines the impact of social networks on youth well-being.
Algerian rai singer Reda Taliani was arrested in Mohammedia on the evening of Thursday, July 23, 2026, following a road accident. Security services, including the anti-gang brigade and traffic units, responded to the scene. According to local media Hespress, Taliani was driving at the time of the incident and allegedly refused to present his vehicle documents to the police. The situation escalated when a passenger accompanying him had to be evacuated to Moulay Abdellah Provincial Hospital in Mohammedia. Taliani initially refused to be transported by emergency services but was later taken to the same hospital in a police vehicle. After initial medical examinations, he was transferred to judicial police premises. A search of his vehicle at the accident site reportedly uncovered several bottles of alcohol. Taliani, who appeared disoriented during the intervention, was placed in police custody under the instruction of the public prosecutor. He is currently under investigation by the judicial police, supervised by the public prosecutor, to determine his state at the time of the incident and establish responsibilities. Taliani was scheduled to appear before the prosecutor on Saturday, July 25, for a decision regarding his detention or release. This is not the first time Taliani has been arrested in Mohammedia; he was previously apprehended in 2020 for similar reasons, involving driving under the influence, causing an accident, and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.
Five Algerian cities were ranked among the world's hottest on Friday, July 24, according to EldoradoWeather. Biskra registered the highest temperature globally at 49.4 °C, followed by Ouargla at 49.1 °C, and El Oued at 48.9 °C. Hassi Messaoud recorded 48.8 °C, and Touggourt reached 48.7 °C, completing the list of the top five hottest cities. This extreme heat is attributed to a "heat dome" phenomenon, where a high-pressure zone over North Africa traps hot air from the Sahara, preventing cloud formation and sea breezes. The National Meteorological Office ONM explained that this phenomenon has caused temperatures to reach up to 50 °C in some areas. The heatwave has also led to over 160 fires across the country, affecting more than half of the municipalities in certain wilayas, resulting in six deaths and the destruction of thousands of hectares of forests and agricultural land. The Minister of Interior stated that the majority of fires have been brought under control with the deployment of 18 aerial firefighting units, Civil Protection, and the National People's Army. The government is assessing damages to compensate victims, and judicial investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fires, some of which are suspected to be criminal. The high energy demand during this period also caused electricity outages in 16 wilayas. An easing of the heatwave is expected early next week with a drop in atmospheric pressure and the arrival of cooler north-westerly winds.