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Yesterday, Wednesday February 11, 2026
EU Parliament Fast-Tracks 'Safe Country' Rules, Paving Way for Faster Deportations from Belgium
The European Parliament has adopted new regulations defining “safe countries of origin” and “safe third countries”, allowing Belgium and other EU states to fast-track or reject many asylum applications. From June 2026, Belgian authorities can place claims from the listed countries into 10-day accelerated procedures and redirect other applicants to transit states. Proponents say this will ease pressure on Belgium’s overcrowded reception system; opponents warn of heightened refoulement risks and legal challenges.
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Feb 11, 2026
UAE unifies visa-overstay fine at AED 50 a day and expands online payment portals
From 10 February the UAE has standardised overstay fines at AED 50 per day across *all* visa types and introduced streamlined online payment options via ICP and GDRFA. The move removes ambiguity for visitors and employers and facilitates quicker compliance.
Feb 11, 2026
EU Parliament approves ‘safe third country’ rules, reshaping asylum procedures for Poland and the rest of the bloc
The European Parliament has endorsed regulations that let member states – including Poland – deem asylum requests inadmissible if applicants can be sent to a listed “safe” country, and allows deportations while appeals are pending. The rules take effect on 12 June 2026, forcing Polish authorities to overhaul case handling and prompting businesses to rethink relocation strategies for staff who might previously have relied on asylum routes.
Feb 11, 2026
Record 9.5 billion journeys forecast as China’s Spring Festival travel rush kicks off
China’s 2026 Spring Festival travel season began on 10 February, with regulators predicting an unprecedented 9.5 billion passenger trips. Extra trains and flights have been authorised, but crowding is already intense. Corporations should brace for temporary production pauses, shipping delays and soaring accommodation prices around the 17 February Lunar New Year holiday.
Feb 11, 2026
Government moves to lift 32-million passenger cap at Dublin Airport
Cabinet has approved drafting of the Dublin Airport (Passenger Capacity) Bill 2026, allowing the Transport Minister to revoke the 32 million-passenger cap that has constrained Ireland’s main hub since 2007. Removing the ceiling would open the door to significant route and seat expansion, easing capacity pressure for business travel and corporate relocation, but the plan must still clear environmental assessments and potential political amendments.
Feb 11, 2026
Canadian carriers ground Cuba flights as jet-fuel shortage bites
A month-long jet-fuel shortage forced Air Canada, Air Transat and WestJet to suspend all passenger flights to Cuba from 10 February. Empty aircraft are being ferried south to repatriate stranded Canadians, and future bookings are being refunded or rerouted. The disruption underscores the exposure of Canada’s leisure-travel sector to geopolitical energy shocks and will dent Cuba’s tourism revenue.
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