India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, announced that tourist visa processing would restart on June 28, expressing hope that the move would strengthen people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated following the August 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently took refuge in India. Bangladesh has repeatedly sought her extradition after she was sentenced to death in absentia.

Ties have gradually improved since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman assumed office following a decisive electoral victory. India had earlier resumed issuing medical visas, and the restoration of tourist visas is viewed as another positive development in bilateral engagement.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometer border and maintain deep historical, cultural, and economic links. However, issues such as migration and border management continue to pose challenges in the relationship.

The meeting, held in the French Riviera resort town of Antibes, marked the first Franco-Italian summit since the implementation of the 2021 strategic partnership treaty that elevated relations between the two countries.

In a statement ahead of the talks, the French presidency stressed the importance of deeper collaboration in key sectors including defense, nuclear energy, and space, declaring that France and Italy “need each other.”

Relations between Macron and Meloni have often been strained due to ideological differences. Macron is a pro-European centrist, while Meloni leads a right-wing coalition in Italy. However, both leaders have recently sought to improve ties and enhance cooperation on common European challenges.

The summit comes shortly after Meloni publicly distanced herself from US President Donald Trump following disagreements over his foreign policy rhetoric. Analysts believe the development could encourage closer coordination between Rome and Paris within the European Union.

Despite progress, differences remain on issues such as migration policy and military support for Ukraine. Italy opposes deploying troops to Ukraine even in a post-war security arrangement, while France has been more open to such discussions.

During the summit, the two countries were expected to sign agreements covering defense cooperation, including support for the Franco-Italian SAMP/T air defense system supplied to Ukraine. Additional agreements focus on nuclear energy collaboration and the development of a European satellite initiative designed to compete with private systems such as Starlink.

Political observers describe the meeting as an effort to transform a cautious rapprochement into a more structured partnership at a time when Europe faces growing security, economic, and strategic challenges.

If finalized, the move would mark the first direct purchases of Iranian crude by major Chinese state refiners since 2019, when PetroChina and Sinopec continued limited imports after the United States reimposed sanctions on Tehran’s energy sector during President Donald Trump’s first administration.

Officials at Chinese state oil companies said PetroChina and Sinopec are reviewing the banking, insurance and shipping arrangements required to restart transactions with Iran. The assessments follow a memorandum of understanding signed last week that ended the recent U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and led Washington to issue a waiver allowing customers to buy Iranian oil and settle transactions in U.S. dollars.

Industry sources said the refiners remain cautious despite the regulatory opening. Global crude supplies remain plentiful as exports from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq continue to rise, while shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are expected to recover following the interim peace agreement.

“There is no shortage of crude in the market,” one industry source said, noting that uncertainty remains over financing channels, insurance coverage and Iran’s ability to provide sufficient shipping capacity for large-scale exports.

Neither Sinopec nor PetroChina immediately responded to requests for comment.

Chinese refiners have maintained healthy inventories by securing cargoes from alternative suppliers, including Russia, Brazil and West Africa, during recent disruptions in Middle Eastern supplies. Analysts say those arrangements have reduced the urgency to return to Iranian barrels.

Data from tanker-tracking firm Vortexa showed Iranian crude loadings accelerated sharply between June 19 and June 24, averaging about 1.6 million barrels per day, compared with roughly 340,000 barrels per day during the first 18 days of June and around 370,000 barrels per day in May.

Despite the rebound in exports, state refiners face a challenging domestic market. Weak fuel consumption and softer petrochemical demand have contributed to lower refinery utilization rates and reduced crude import requirements across China.

Independent refiners, commonly known as “teapot” refiners, remain the primary buyers of Iranian crude. These companies typically conduct transactions through intermediary traders and settle purchases in Chinese yuan, allowing them to maintain imports despite sanctions-related restrictions.

Among the major state-owned refiners, Sinopec is viewed as the most likely candidate to resume Iranian purchases. Sources said the company has faced tighter crude supplies in recent months and has drawn down commercial inventories since May, increasing the need to replenish stocks.

According to an industry official familiar with discussions between Sinopec and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the Chinese refiner explored potential purchases during a previous 30-day sanctions waiver issued in March but ultimately declined because the timeframe was insufficient to complete a transaction.

NIOC is now preparing for renewed interest from Chinese state refiners and expects inquiries to increase in the coming days, the official said.

Under the waiver framework, NIOC is expected to act as the sole contractual counterparty for crude sales, while Russia’s ESPO blend may serve as a pricing benchmark in future negotiations, according to industry sources.

NIOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Parmelin, who also serves as Switzerland’s economy minister, will visit the United States as part of a broader North American tour running from June 29 to July 9 that will also include stops in Canada and Mexico.

The visit comes as Bern works to convert a preliminary tariff arrangement reached with Washington into a formal agreement. Switzerland faced the highest U.S. tariff rates in Europe last year after the Trump administration imposed a 39% duty on Swiss imports.

In November, the two sides reached an initial accord that reduced the tariff rate to 15%, bringing it into line with the level applied to the European Union. Swiss officials have since been engaged in negotiations aimed at securing a long-term framework for bilateral trade.

The discussions are expected to focus on market access, tariff certainty and broader economic cooperation between the two countries. The United States remains one of Switzerland’s most important export destinations, particularly for pharmaceuticals, precision manufacturing and financial services.

Parmelin’s North American trip will also include attendance at Switzerland’s FIFA World Cup match in Vancouver on July 2, according to the Swiss economy ministry.

Following his engagements in the United States and Canada, Parmelin will travel to Mexico, where he is scheduled to hold talks with President Claudia Sheinbaum and senior government ministers.

Swiss officials said one of the country’s medium-term trade objectives is the modernization of the free trade agreement between Mexico and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which has been in force for approximately 25 years.

Switzerland is the largest economy within EFTA, whose members also include Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. The bloc has increasingly sought to update existing trade agreements to reflect changes in global commerce, digital trade and investment flows.

The outcome of Parmelin’s meetings in Washington could prove significant for Swiss exporters seeking greater certainty in the U.S. market amid continuing shifts in global trade policy and tariff frameworks.

The development follows the Philippines’ ranking as the world’s top retirement destination in the Retirement Abroad Index 2026, published by international health insurer Expatriate Group earlier this month. The country was also recognized as Asia’s Best Retirement Destination in 2025 by travel platform TripZilla.

A key factor behind the ranking was the Philippines’ Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), which was identified as one of the most accessible retirement residency programs among countries evaluated in the index.

“We target approximately 4,000 new retirees every year, and our year-to-date figures show we are 54% ahead of the same period last year,” Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) General Manager Roberto Zozobrado said.

According to the PRA, the combination of affordable living costs, English proficiency, established expatriate communities and the country’s natural attractions continues to draw retirees from around the world.

The Retirement Abroad Index assessed 20 countries across several categories, including cost of living, healthcare accessibility, visa requirements, integration opportunities and expatriate support networks. The Philippines ranked highest overall, with particular strengths in affordability and visa accessibility.

Thailand ranked second in the index, followed by Colombia, Portugal, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The report estimated that a retired foreign couple can maintain a comfortable lifestyle in the Philippines on approximately £750 to £1,000 ($988 to $1,318) per month, with living expenses generally lower outside major urban centers such as Manila.

Industry observers note that the country’s extensive use of English, one of its official languages alongside Filipino, provides a significant advantage for retirees seeking easier integration into local communities and daily life.

Official figures show that approximately 62,000 foreign retirees currently reside in the Philippines under the SRRV program, which is available to foreign nationals aged 40 and above.

Chinese nationals represent the largest group of foreign retirees in the country, followed by citizens of South Korea, India and the United States. Many retirees have settled in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Central Visayas, including the popular coastal destination of Cebu.

Tourism and retirement authorities are increasingly targeting prospective retirees from Europe, Australia and Canada as part of efforts to diversify the country’s retirement market and strengthen its position within the global retirement industry.

Officials say the country’s reputation for hospitality remains one of its strongest advantages in attracting long-term foreign residents.

The Philippine Retirement Authority, which was established to promote the country as a retirement destination, said it remains focused on expanding the program and maintaining the Philippines’ competitiveness as international demand for overseas retirement options continues to grow.

The back-to-back quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings.

The hardest-hit area was La Guaira, located about 30 kilometers north of Caracas, where dozens of structures collapsed. Rescue operations remain underway, with emergency workers pulling survivors from the rubble overnight.

The earthquakes caused widespread disruption across the country. Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas was temporarily closed after sustaining damage, while metro services and natural gas supplies in the capital were suspended. Schools were ordered shut for several days, with some facilities being converted into emergency shelters and aid distribution centers.

The tremors were felt across much of northern South America, including parts of Brazil and Colombia. Several buildings were evacuated in Brazil’s Amazon region, though no major damage was reported outside Venezuela.

International assistance has begun arriving. The United States announced the deployment of search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid. Other countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, Qatar, Brazil, Argentina and China, also offered support.

Television footage showed rescue workers using heavy equipment and specialized tools to search collapsed structures. Many residents spent the night outdoors amid fears of aftershocks, while power outages and communication disruptions complicated emergency efforts.

Officials have urged citizens to remain cautious as aftershocks remain possible. Rescue operations are continuing in affected regions, particularly in La Guaira and the coastal state of Falcón, where authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.

The earthquake occurred off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers. The strongest shaking was felt in parts of northern Honshu, including the town of Hashikami.

Residents reported only minor damage. One local resident told media that a photo frame had fallen from a shelf during the tremor. Television footage from nearby cities showed normal traffic conditions and functioning infrastructure shortly after the quake.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that some train services were temporarily suspended as a precaution while safety inspections were carried out.

Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire where several major tectonic plates meet. The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually and accounts for roughly 18 percent of global seismic activity.

The latest quake comes just two months after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck offshore near Iwate on April 20. Following that event, Japanese authorities issued a special advisory warning of an elevated risk of earthquakes measuring magnitude 8.0 or greater. The advisory was lifted after one week.

The memory of the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami remains strong across the country. That magnitude 9.0 disaster killed or left missing around 18,500 people and triggered the Fukushima nuclear accident.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks, though no major disruptions have been reported so far.

The protests are being organized by families of victims and civil society groups seeking justice and accountability for more than 60 people who were killed during demonstrations that culminated in protesters storming the Kenyan Parliament in 2024.

Authorities blocked major highways leading into Nairobi, while Parliament remained heavily barricaded and many businesses stayed closed amid heightened security concerns.

President William Ruto recently stated that citizens would be allowed to exercise their right to protest, but emphasized that the government also has a responsibility to protect public order, ensure schools remain open and allow economic activities to continue.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said police would provide security and escort peaceful demonstrators, but warned that criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests would face firm action.

The planned demonstrations have received support from opposition leaders, who are demanding greater transparency in the government’s compensation program for victims of the 2024 unrest.

Many affected families say justice has been slow. Edith Wanjiku, whose 19-year-old son Ibrahim Kamau was fatally shot during the protests, said her family has yet to receive compensation despite completing all required documentation.

According to families of victims, only a small number of affected households have received compensation so far, raising questions about the selection process and the pace of implementation.

The June 2024 protests were triggered by widespread opposition to a proposed finance bill that sought to increase taxes amid rising living costs. Thousands of mainly young protesters took to the streets, and security forces opened fire after demonstrators breached Parliament grounds, resulting in dozens of deaths.

President Ruto has described the compensation initiative as an acknowledgment of harm suffered by victims and their families, while maintaining that the payments should not be interpreted as an admission of government liability.

Authorities remain on high alert as demonstrators prepare to gather across Nairobi, with concerns over potential unrest and disruptions in the city.

The Lebanese Cabinet approved a measure exempting students from sitting the official exams, citing the difficult security conditions facing the country. Instead, final certification will be based on students’ school grades and academic records.

The decision follows weeks of debate over whether the examinations should proceed despite continued regional tensions and recent violence affecting civilians. Education Minister Rima Karami had previously maintained that the examination schedule would remain unchanged.

Public pressure intensified after the death of university student Theodosia James Karam, along with her father and brother, in an airstrike. The incident sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls from students, parents, and activists to suspend or postpone the examinations.

Following the Cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Education confirmed that students seeking the secondary school certificate and the technical baccalaureate would be exempted from official examinations for the current academic year.

The announcement prompted scenes of celebration in several cities and towns, with students gathering in public spaces to mark the decision.

Government officials said the move was intended to protect students and ensure educational continuity during a period of instability while providing a fair alternative assessment mechanism through school-based evaluations.

The cancellation marks one of the most significant changes to Lebanon’s examination system in recent years and reflects the broader impact of the country’s security situation on educational institutions and students.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that the strike hit a vehicle traveling on the road between the towns of Zawtar and Mayfadoun in the Nabatieh region.

The attack marks the third deadly incident in southern Lebanon since Tuesday, bringing the total number of people killed in Israeli strikes this week to seven despite a recent reduction in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Medical and security sources confirmed casualties from the strike, which was carried out by an Israeli drone. No immediate statement was issued by the Israeli military regarding the operation.

The incident comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment as Lebanese and Israeli officials are holding a fifth round of direct negotiations in Washington under US mediation. The talks are aimed at reducing tensions along the border and addressing outstanding security issues following months of conflict.

Although fighting has eased in recent weeks, sporadic Israeli strikes and security incidents continue to raise concerns about the durability of the fragile calm in southern Lebanon.

Authorities are continuing investigations into the identities of those killed and the circumstances surrounding the attack.