AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 January, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
New Zealand's government has announced two new residency pathways for skilled workers, tradespeople, and technicians, aiming to fill critical workforce gaps and stimulate economic growth.
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said that these migrants play a crucial role in addressing workforce shortages and supporting business growth.
She acknowledged that the existing system made it challenging for some skilled migrants to obtain residency, even when their expertise was in demand. The new policy aims to rectify this by introducing more accessible pathways for eligible individuals.
The two pathways are:
Skilled Work Experience Pathway: This pathway targets migrants in ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles who are paid at least 1.1 times the median wage.
Applicants must have a minimum of five years of relevant job experience, with at least two years spent working in New Zealand.
Trades and Technician Pathway: Designed for migrants in specific ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles, this pathway requires a Level 4 or higher qualification and a minimum of four years of experience, including at least 18 months in New Zealand.
These initiatives are set to take effect in the middle of next year and are part of a broader effort to stimulate the country's economy by addressing labor shortages.
Despite positive net migration, New Zealand has faced economic challenges, including negative growth in three of the last five quarters. The government has been introducing various policies aimed at supporting economic recovery, such as boosting foreign investment.
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
A railway power outage in Tokyo disrupted the morning commute for roughly 673,000 passengers on Friday (16 January) as two main lines with some of the world's busiest stations were halted after reports of a fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that the long-awaited “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction has officially been formed.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests, according to rights activists, as monitors reported a slight return of internet connectivity following an eight-day shutdown.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that allied supplies of air defence systems and missiles were insufficient as Russia prepares new large-scale attacks.
Poland plans to expand its armed forces to 500,000 by 2039, including 300,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists, officials said Friday. The enlarged force would feature a new high-readiness reserve unit.
Kyiv is facing its most severe wartime energy crisis, with the capital receiving only about half the electricity it needs, Mayor Vitali Klitschko told Reuters on Friday.
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