Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

New Zealand is set to make it easier for migrant workers to settle in the country, in a bid to strengthen its workforce and stimulate economic growth. On Tuesday, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis announced two new residency pathways aimed at attracting skilled and experienced migrants to fill gaps in the labour market. “Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that was not available in the existing workforce,” Willis said in a statement. The initiative comes amid record levels of emigration and a contracting…

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have filed three counts of crimes against humanity against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders during his controversial “war on drugs”. A heavily redacted charge sheet, dated 4 July but released publicly on Monday, outlines the accusations against the 80-year-old former leader, who is currently in ICC detention in The Hague. The first count concerns Duterte’s alleged role as a co-perpetrator in 19 murders committed between 2013 and 2016, during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. The second relates to 14 killings of so-called “high…

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to advocate for greater global peace and security during high-level meetings in New York this week, as senior allies of US President Donald Trump caution that Australia’s planned recognition of Palestinian statehood could trigger punitive measures from Washington. Mr Albanese arrived in New York on Sunday morning, Australian time, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly and a possible first meeting with President Trump. Australia intends to use the UN talks to formally recognise Palestine, in coordination with France, Canada and the United Kingdom. The move has drawn strong criticism from Israel and from…

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation introducing an annual fee of $100,000 for H-1B visa applications, a move that could have significant repercussions for the US technology sector, which depends heavily on skilled workers from India and China. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the measure at a press briefing on Friday, saying that “all the big companies” had been informed. Speaking alongside the president at the Oval Office, Lutnick said: “A hundred-thousand dollars a year for H-1B visas, and all of the big companies are on board. We’ve spoken to them. If you’re going to train somebody, you’re…

Humanitarian workers in northern Gaza have been told by the Israeli military that only hospitals will be considered protected sites, with all other aid infrastructure potentially subject to attack. Messages and conversations seen by the Guardian show the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stating that its evacuation order for “all Gaza residents and inhabitants” of Gaza City applies to “all humanitarian locations [there], except hospitals”. The IDF warned that, in order to defeat Hamas, its forces would operate “with great force”. On Friday, the IDF said it had expanded operations in Gaza City, targeting what it described as “Hamas infrastructure”. Between…

Flights have been delayed and cancelled at three major European airports, including London Heathrow, after a cyber-attack hit the software used for airline check-in and boarding. Airports in Brussels and Berlin have also reported disruption following the incident affecting Collins Aerospace, a company providing services to multiple airlines worldwide. The attack has prompted concerns over the resilience of systems underpinning critical infrastructure, with cybersecurity experts warning that the disruption could potentially spread to other airports. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was being kept informed of developments. “I’m aware of an incident affecting airline check-in and boarding, impacting flights at…

Five people in Louisiana have died this year after contracting a flesh-eating bacterium found in warm coastal waters, a figure that state health officials say is significantly higher than the annual average. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed that, as of Wednesday, at least 26 people had been infected with Vibrio vulnificus in 2025, with every case requiring hospitalisation. Officials reported that 85 per cent of infections were linked to wounds exposed to seawater, while 92 per cent of patients had at least one underlying health condition. Over the past decade, Louisiana has averaged 10 Vibrio infections and one death…

Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of pursuing a “deliberate strategy” to terrorise civilians and destroy infrastructure.

A drone strike by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed at least 75 people gathered for worship in a mosque in the besieged city of El Fasher, according to first responders. The attack, among the deadliest in the city this year, struck the al-Daraja neighbourhood, where many civilians from the famine-stricken Abu Shouk displacement camp had sought refuge after it was overrun by RSF fighters. The Emergency Response Room volunteer group said bodies were pulled from the rubble, with footage on social media showing victims trapped beneath debris. The RSF has not commented on the incident. The group…

A British couple detained in Afghanistan for eight months have been released, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed.