Rail Workers Call 24-Hour National Strike at Renfe for 29 June and 15 July
Ottawa rescinds controversial order for ‘Lost Canadians’ to return citizenship certificates
US-Iran technical talks in Switzerland agree on safe shipping corridor through Strait of Hormuz
Latest News
UAE Reasserts Maritime Security as Hormuz Conflict Surcharges Bite Logistics Budgets
• A new government statement underscores the UAE’s push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cut conflict-related logistics costs. • Carriers and insurers continue to levy steep war-risk surcharges on UAE-bound containers, raising supply-chain and relocation budgets. • Businesses are advised to secure capacity early, review sanctions exposure and budget for longer transit times as diplomatic efforts continue.
Vienna Airport scraps 100-ml liquid rule after roll-out of CT scanners
From 26 June 2026, Vienna International Airport will allow liquids of up to two litres and require no removal of electronics, thanks to new CT scanners at all security lanes. The upgrade halves checkpoint waiting times and is expected to improve airline punctuality and traveller experience, making Austria one of the first EU members to drop the post-2006 100-ml rule.
Brazil marks World Refugee Day by pledging faster case-processing and wider integration support
During a World Refugee Day event on 22 June, Brazil’s Justice Ministry released new statistics showing a 6 % rise in recognised refugees and outlined measures to halve asylum-case processing times, expand language training and offer payroll-tax rebates to firms that hire refugees. The package positions Brazil as a regional leader in protection while giving employers fresh incentives to tap refugee talent.
Dragon Boat Festival pushes China’s border crossings to 6.67 million, up 12.9 % year-on-year
China processed 6.667 million border crossings during the 19–21 June Dragon Boat Festival, 12.9 percent more than in 2025. Foreign-passport movements grew 23.3 percent, with 266,000 travellers entering visa-free. The figures confirm that China’s expanded visa-waiver schemes and restored transport capacity are boosting international mobility and will require corporates to plan for holiday-driven peaks.
Cyprus Hails EU Migration Pact and New Returns Regulation as ‘Game Changer’ for Front-Line States
Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannidis says the EU Migration Pact and freshly adopted Returns Regulation will give Cyprus faster border procedures and harmonised return timelines. The measures promise greater predictability for employers relocating staff legally, while reinforcing the island’s ability to manage irregular arrivals.
Spain’s Extraordinary Regularisation Drive Tops 150,000 Applications in Catalonia
With the 30 June deadline looming, Spain’s special regularisation plan has already logged over 150,000 applications in Catalonia and more than 900,000 nationwide. The drive gives long-term undocumented migrants residence-and-work rights, expands the formal labour force, and offers employers legal certainty—provided they submit supporting documents before the window closes.
Ireland Deports 42 South African Nationals in Overnight Charter Operation
Ireland removed 42 South African nationals on a special charter flight late on 21 June after final deportation orders were upheld. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said robust enforcement is needed to preserve confidence in the immigration system, while officials confirmed more than 2,100 deportation orders have been signed in 2026 to date. The operation underscores that, even as Ireland courts skilled migrants, it is tightening compliance and expects employers to keep work-authorisation records in good order.
Heatwave Forces SNCB to Cancel Peak-Hour ‘P’ Trains Across Belgium
From 22–26 June, SNCB will withdraw most rush-hour ‘P’ trains to protect equipment and free capacity as Belgium enters an unprecedented heatwave. Travellers should re-check timetables, avoid peak times and stay hydrated. Employers with mobile staff should consider flexible hours or remote work. The move underlines the wider climate-resilience gap in Belgian rail infrastructure.
Australia doubles Subclass 500 student visa fee to AUD 2,000, sparking backlash from international education sector
From 22 June 2026 the Australian Government has lifted the Subclass 500 student-visa filing fee from AUD 710 to AUD 2,000. Home Affairs says the hike will bankroll tougher integrity checks, but universities warn it could deter talent and hurt the AUD 40 billion international-education industry.
Starmer Resignation Casts Uncertainty Over UK Immigration Strategy
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s 22 June resignation delays promised reforms to the UK’s points-based immigration system. With leadership contenders divided on work-visa policy, businesses face renewed uncertainty over sponsorship costs and upcoming eVisa deadlines.
Frankfurt Airport warns of three-hour lead-time as EU Entry-Exit System lengthens border checks
Fraport says holiday traffic plus the new EU biometric Entry-Exit System will create longer queues at Frankfurt Airport. Non-EU passengers are advised to arrive three hours ahead of departure, intra-Schengen travellers at least two hours. The warning forces corporate travel planners to pad connection times and budget for potential disruptions.
Prague to Launch Direct Bus Link Through Blanka Tunnel, Slashing Cross-Town Commute Times
From 15 August Prague will open Bus 145 through the Blanka tunnel, creating the first direct high-frequency public link between Prague 8 and Prague 6. Journey times will be cut by half, easing metro congestion and giving employers a quicker cross-town option for staff and business visitors.
Record-breaking heatwave puts half of France on red alert, paralyses rail and business travel
France’s unprecedented red-alert heatwave has forced SNCF to slow or cancel trains, airports to curtail ramp operations and prefectures to restrict HGV traffic. Employers must now meet stricter heat-safety rules, while mobility managers advise travellers to add contingency time. The disruption underlines how climate extremes are reshaping business travel and expatriate duty-of-care obligations in France.
Impending SAS Cabin-Crew Strike in Norway Threatens Flights Serving Finland
Norwegian cabin-crew unions have warned they will strike from Wednesday 24 June unless pay and rostering talks with SAS succeed. Up to 468 crew would be withdrawn, a move that could ground many Helsinki–Copenhagen, Helsinki–Stockholm and intra-Nordic flights used heavily by Finnish business travellers. Companies are urged to secure back-up tickets and review change policies.
Record Heatwave Forces SNCF to Cut Services and Reroute TGVs
Rails that warped in 40 °C temperatures forced SNCF to cancel or reroute dozens of TGV and Intercités services on 21-22 June, especially from Paris-Montparnasse. Up to 140-minute delays and selective cancellations are expected to continue while the heat lasts, complicating business travel and expatriate moves.