It’s another edition of NRTC WEEKLY Roundup —in this week’s edition, we are focusing on five trending stories across the globe due to a fast-paced world where headlines change by the hour.
While it’s easy to miss some of the biggest global developments, our roundup, as usual, will cut across the top five beats in our media organisation, NRTC [your one-stop hub for rich and reliable content covering entertainment, sports, politics, metro, and leading stories].
Why not scroll down and treat yourself?
New US immigration policies sparked global backlash
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the United States introduced sweeping new immigration measures that dominated international headlines.
The Trump administration implemented a new policy imposing a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications, a move that drew strong criticism from technology companies and foreign governments.
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Proponents of the policy argued that it was a necessary step to protect American jobs and ensure that highly skilled immigrants did not replace domestic workers.
However, critics from both within the U.S. and abroad labelled the fee a “tax on talent” that harmed innovation and economic competitiveness.
In a separate development, the administration unveiled a “$1 million ‘Gold Card’ visa programme” aimed at high-net-worth individuals and businesses seeking residency. The programme, which offered a fast track to U.S. residency for a significant fee, was seen as a new avenue for immigration that prioritised wealth.
The changes formed part of a broader crackdown on immigration, particularly affecting the tech sector, which relied heavily on H-1B visa holders from countries such as India and China, NRTC WEEKLY learnt.
Major tech firms reportedly advised their H-1B employees to avoid leaving the country while they assessed the implications of the new policies.
The new rules prompted an international debate about the future of global talent mobility and the role of immigration in economic growth.
Businesses and countless professionals seeking to work in the United States felt the far-reaching impact.
Escalating conflict in Gaza led to mass displacement
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensified as the Israeli military’s ground offensive pushed deeper into Gaza City, NRTC WEEKLY gathered.
Gaza’s civil defence agency estimated that 450,000 Palestinians fled the city, seeking refuge in designated safe zones. The situation on the ground remained dire, with reports of widespread destruction and critical shortages of aid.
Humanitarian organisations and the United Nations issued urgent warnings, highlighting severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Despite these warnings, the flow of aid remained heavily restricted. The UN, in a commission of inquiry report, accused Israel of committing genocide.
Israel and the United States strongly condemned the findings, but they fuelled calls for sanctions and further international action.
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NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the conflict spilled over into other regions as Israeli airstrikes struck several countries this year.
The escalation placed immense pressure on global diplomatic efforts and reignited the debate over a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, several European countries prepared to formally recognise Palestinian statehood, a move that threatened to further isolate Israel internationally.
Russia–Estonia tensions flared amid airspace violations
Tensions between Russia and NATO escalated after Estonia reported a “brazen” violation of its airspace by three Russian fighter jets.
NATO described the incident as a “dangerous provocation.” Italian air force jets, operating as part of NATO’s air policing mission, responded swiftly and intercepted the Russian MiG-31s over the Gulf of Finland.
Estonia formally summoned a Russian diplomat to protest the incursion, marking the third such incident in recent days. Russia denied the allegations, but the event fuelled concerns about a potential incursion into NATO territory.
The violation underscored the high-stakes geopolitical standoff between Russia and the West, which the war in Ukraine further exacerbated.
The act drew widespread condemnation as reckless and prompted calls for NATO to reinforce its presence in the Baltic region. The international community closely watched to see how both sides would respond to the escalating tensions.
Global economic concerns rose amid protectionist policies
NRTC WEEKLY gathered that the global economy entered a period of heightened uncertainty, driven by protectionist trade policies and rapid disruption from artificial intelligence. The U.S. administration’s new H-1B visa fees and tariffs exemplified this trend, signalling a shift away from open trade toward a protectionist “America First” agenda.
The move triggered ripple effects, with blocs such as the European Union and several South American nations accelerating trade deals to counter the U.S. shift.
Meanwhile, the rapid advancement of generative AI transformed industries and raised concerns about intellectual property and the future of work, NRTC WEEKLY learnt.
A Chinese start-up, DeepSeek, reportedly disrupted the AI landscape by developing powerful large-language models with fewer resources than its U.S. counterparts, challenging America’s perceived dominance in the sector.
The development highlighted intensifying global competition in AI and prompted governments to accelerate regulatory frameworks to govern the technology.
The convergence of protectionism and AI disruption reshaped the global economic landscape, where geopolitical risk and technological resilience became paramount.
Businesses reevaluated supply chains, customer bases, and regional exposure to navigate the new era of unpredictability.
Afghanistan earthquake aftermath left thousands in dire straits
An earthquake in eastern Afghanistan displaced thousands and left many without shelter, compounding the country’s humanitarian crises, NRTC WEEKLY gathered.
The quake destroyed more than 5,000 homes and affected half a million people, according to the United Nations. Local communities and aid organisations struggled to cope with the scale of destruction as many victims lost everything.
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Women and girls faced heightened risks in the chaotic aftermath. The UN warned of a “perfect storm” of crises in Afghanistan, citing the quake alongside political instability and the ban on secondary education for girls.
The international community responded slowly with substantial aid, leaving many villages to fend for themselves.
Amidst the grim situation, a glimmer of hope emerged when the Taliban released a British couple who had been detained for several months.
Their reunion with family, welcomed by the British Prime Minister, provided rare relief during the ongoing suffering.
Nonetheless, Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remained deeply concerning, and aid agencies called for a massive, coordinated international response to prevent further loss of life.
That’s all for this week on NRTC WEEKLY. Stay tuned and join us again for another exciting edition next week!
