The Fatu Network

The US Department of Homeland Security introduced a rule on Thursday ending open‑ended stays for many non‑immigrant visa holders, limiting international students and exchange visitors to four years and foreign journalists to 240 days (or 90 days for Chinese nationals).

The change, effective 60 days after publication and subject to congressional review, requires anyone wanting to stay longer to apply for an extension or leave and re‑apply.

DHS says the move will improve monitoring, while universities and advocates warn it could deter study and research in the US.

Just months after President Assimi Goïta began a new five-year term, having first taken power through military coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali is projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to record one of West Africa's strongest economic growth rates in 2026, with the economy forecast to expand by 5.5%.

Since coming to power, Goïta has shifted Mali decisively towards Moscow after expelling French forces and ending military cooperation with Western partners.

His government has since deepened ties with Russia through agreements covering trade, mining, natural resources and peaceful nuclear energy, while Moscow has become Bamako's closest military and strategic partner.

Ousmane Sonko is facing another legal complaint after telling supporters that "dirty money entered the holy city of Touba," in remarks widely understood as criticism of alleged illicit political financing.

A group of Serigne Touba's descendants says the statement damaged the city's "honour, reputation and image" and cast suspicion over its residents, asking prosecutors to question Sonko and investigate possible defamation or false-news offences.

Was Sonko right to speak out, or did he cross a line by making such a sweeping statement about Touba?