UPDATE: U.S FINALIZES $20,000 VISA BOND POLICY AFFECTING NIGERIA AND 49 OTHER NATIONS. (PHOTO).

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 U.S Finalizes $20,000 Visa Bond Policy Affecting Nigeria and 49 Other Nations The United States government has officially formalized its visa bond policy, making it a permanent measure that could require travelers from 50 designated countries, including Nigeria, to pay a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before receiving certain visas. First introduced as a pilot scheme in 2025, the policy targets applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas, which are designated for business and tourism. According to the U.S. Department of State, the initiative is designed to bolster compliance with local immigration laws and drastically reduce visa overstay rates. How the Visa Bond Policy Works Under the permanent guidelines, U.S. consular officers have the discretion to instruct eligible applicants to post a bond as a prerequisite for visa issuance. However, U.S. authorities have clarified that the financial requirement will not be applied automatically to every traveler from the listed nations. Data anal...

DENMARK SHUTS EMBASSY IN MALI, BURKINA FASO. (PHOTO).


 Denmark shuts embassy in Mali, Burkina Faso


Denmark is shutting down its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso as part of its new Africa strategy, as military coups have "severely limited the scope for action in the Sahel region," authorities said.


Denmark said it would open embassies in Senegal, Tunisia, and Rwanda and bolster diplomatic staff at its embassies in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana, according to AFP.


Following the closures in Bamako and Ouagadougou, a special representative will be appointed for the African Great Lakes and Sahel region, it said.


Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia and its Wagner mercenary group for support since military leaders seized power in 2020 and 2022, respectively.


Mali's relations with European countries have deteriorated recently.


Earlier this month, its military junta ordered the Swedish ambassador to leave the country after a Swedish minister criticised Malian support for Russia.


Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said his country's reorganisation of priorities in Africa came as Denmark and the European Union aimed to be Africa's "preferred partner" as the continent faces whether to "orient itself more towards the East or the West."


"We have a clear interest in the African countries looking towards us in Europe as they chart the course for their future," he said.


"We must demonstrate that we offer an attractive alternative to the increasing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent," he added.


The new Danish strategy will focus heavily on increasing trade and on water initiatives.


In the coming years, Denmark plans to provide one billion kroner ($150 million) in development assistance to new bilateral water initiatives in Africa, and 425 million kroner in 2025 alone.

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