Author: staff
Japan is preparing its biggest visa fee increase in nearly half a century, making tourist visas five times more expensive for most foreign visitors entering the country. The decision was approved at a government cabinet meeting on 19 June 2026 and will take effect on 1 July 2026. It is the first revision of Japan’s visa fees since 1978. The most immediate impact will be felt by tourists and business travellers from countries that require a visa to enter Japan. Under the new pricing structure, the fee for a single-entry visas will rise from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000. A multiple-entry visa,…
Belgian authorities summoned the former commissioner to testify almost a year ago, but he did not show up, said the second senior Greek official. Former member of the European Parliament Pier Antonio Panzeri, former MEP Eva Kaili and her husband Francesco Giorgi were arrested and are facing charges of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization as part of the Qatargate investigation. They have been released from jail pending trial, but there has been little progress in the case over the last couple of years. Avramopoulos — who is currently a member of the Greek parliament and served…
Honduras is planning to purchase drones from Ukraine as part of its efforts to combat drug trafficking and strengthen border security, President Nasry Asfura said on Monday. The announcement comes as the country grapples with organised crime, gang violence and narcotics trafficking networks that continue to pose major security challenges. Asfura met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv last week. During their talks, Zelensky offered cooperation in military technology, particularly drone systems, as Ukraine seeks to expand partnerships beyond Europe while showing-off capabilities developed during its war with Russia. Speaking to AFP in Panama City during the General Assembly of…
After pledging to remain in post until a successor is confirmed and to give that successor “unequivocal support,” the PM fought back tears as he said: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children who are my pride and my joy.” After the PM returned through the famous black door of No.10 Downing Street…
Belgium has issued visas to a Taliban delegation to attend a migration meeting in Brussels, paving the way for the first visit by Taliban representatives to an EU-hosted event since the group returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The planned talks have already sparked criticism from human rights organisations, which argue that engaging with the Taliban risks undermining the European Union’s commitment to human rights. However, the Belgian government said it approved five visas for members of the delegation after security assessments found no evidence that the individuals posed a threat. The visas are tightly restricted, allowing entry only…
Criticizing the court’s leniency with Aldama, Transport Minister Óscar Puente said society should take note of the ruling. “See, kids? If you commit crimes but then behave and ‘cooperate,’ forgiveness will come through,” he wrote in a post on X. “You won’t even go to prison.” The ruling increases pressure on Pedro Sánchez, who appointed Ábalos to top posts in both the ruling Socialist Party and his first two governments. Spain’s leader is struggling to disassociate himself from the plethora of corruption cases involving close political allies, relatives and other members of his inner circle. Shortly after the ruling was…
Updated: 22/06/2026 – 12:20 GMT+2 Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi said the country’s EU accession process and the Transnistria conflict are “parallel” tracks to prevent Vladimir Putin from gaining “leverage”. Moldova is working “tirelessly” to ensure all Moldovans benefit from accession, said the minister. … More
Lionel Messi has become the outright leading scorer in men’s World Cup history after netting his 17th tournament goal during Argentina’s Group J match against Austria. The strike moved the Argentine captain ahead of retired Germany forward Miroslav Klose, whose record of 16 goals had stood since the 2014 World Cup. Messi, who turns 39 in two days, scored in the first half after meeting a pass inside the penalty area and calmly finishing past the Austrian goalkeeper. The goal came after he had earlier missed a penalty, delaying what many expected would be another historic milestone in a career…
Burnham, who has taken his seat in Westminster after winning last week’s Makerfield by-election, is expected to succeed him in both roles in mid-July, barring any surprise bid for the leadership from an outsider. This sets up a short window in which Starmer will seek to make his final mark on the world stage as a lame-duck prime minister. But the draining of power from his position was already evident as the European Commission announced that the EU-U.K. summit planned for July 22 has been canceled — with a glaring hole at the top of British diplomacy in the meantime.…
Efforts to tackle climate change are facing “changing political circumstances,” but international cooperation must not be “weakened” by leaders like US president Donald Trump, China’s Minister for Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu, said on Monday. Speaking on the sidelines of the EU’s annual “ministerial on climate action” in Brussels, Huang’s remarks appeared to be an indirect reference to the Trump administration’s retreat from international climate commitments. Despite being the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China, Washington bailed on last year’s COP30 in Brazil and quit the Paris Agreement. “We have a shared responsibility to safeguard commitments and ensure that…