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Australia eases international border ban for first time since March 2020

After 18 months of some of the world's strictest coronavirus border policies that banned citizens from coming back into the country, and leaving it, unless granted an exemption, some 14 million Australians in Victoria, New South Wales and Canberra are now free to travel.

More than 80 percent of people 16 and older in those two states and the capital territory are fully vaccinated - a condition for the resumption of international travel.

Industries desperate for workers urge government to open borders to Pacific

At a media conference in Napier this morning they demanded more help.

Apples are rotting on the ground at many orchards.

Chestergrove Orchards owner Bruce Mitchell said he could not find enough pickers to pick his royal galas.

"The apple crop that you see here represents 10 to 12 months of planning, investment and work and just days before I came to pick it I had 20 pickers sign up, and at induction two pickers turned up, so we went into crisis mode."

He said it was the worst his family had ever seen.

Mexico discusses migration in meeting with Biden envoys

President Joe Biden's administration sent envoys including border co-ordinator Roberta Jacobson to Mexico to discuss the increase in arrivals at the border. Initial talks began in Mexico on Tuesday (local time) and will continue in Guatemala.

"Humanitarian actions were highlighted to promote, in the short term, inclusive economic development in the north of Central America that mitigates the root causes behind migratory flows in the region," Mexico's foreign ministry said in a statement.