Tag

Africa

All articles tagged with #africa

US Adds Countries Requiring Visa Bonds Up to $15,000

Originally Published 6 days ago — by WRAL

Featured image for US Adds Countries Requiring Visa Bonds Up to $15,000
Source: WRAL

The US has added seven countries, mostly in Africa, to a list requiring passport holders to post bonds up to $15,000 to apply for visas, as part of stricter immigration measures by the Trump administration, making visa applications more costly and challenging for many citizens from these nations.

US Adds Countries Requiring Visa Bonds Up to $15,000

Originally Published 6 days ago — by AP News

Featured image for US Adds Countries Requiring Visa Bonds Up to $15,000
Source: AP News

The US has expanded its list of countries whose citizens must pay bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for visas, adding seven countries including five in Africa, as part of stricter immigration measures by the Trump administration. The bonds aim to prevent visa overstays but do not guarantee visa approval, and the process has made obtaining US visas more costly and challenging for citizens of these nations.

AI chatbot trained to detect mental health issues across languages using DSM-5 criteria

Originally Published 6 days ago — by The Guardian

Featured image for AI chatbot trained to detect mental health issues across languages using DSM-5 criteria
Source: The Guardian

Researchers in Uganda and Tanzania are developing an AI-powered chatbot trained on local languages and call data to provide mental health support, aiming to address the shortage of mental health workers and reduce stigma. The AI system analyzes call recordings to identify signs of mental health issues and could deliver services via SMS, helping more people access care quickly and discreetly. While promising, regulators are working to ensure safety and address risks associated with AI in healthcare. The project exemplifies how AI can bridge global mental health care gaps.

African Countries and Others Tighten Visa and Travel Restrictions on Americans

Originally Published 7 days ago — by Yahoo Finance

Featured image for African Countries and Others Tighten Visa and Travel Restrictions on Americans
Source: Yahoo Finance

Several African countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad, have responded to the US travel bans and visa restrictions by implementing reciprocal measures, such as banning visas for US citizens, amid ongoing tensions and policies affecting international travel.

Africa's Oldest Cremation Reveals Ancient Rituals and Hunter-Gatherer Practices

Originally Published 10 days ago — by The Conversation

Featured image for Africa's Oldest Cremation Reveals Ancient Rituals and Hunter-Gatherer Practices
Source: The Conversation

Scientists discovered the earliest known cremation in Africa, dating back 9,500 years in Malawi, involving a large-scale pyre ritual for a likely middle-aged woman, challenging previous notions about hunter-gatherer mortuary practices and indicating complex social behaviors.

Israel's Recognition of Somaliland Sparks Regional and International Tensions

Originally Published 15 days ago — by CBS News

Featured image for Israel's Recognition of Somaliland Sparks Regional and International Tensions
Source: CBS News

African regional bodies strongly oppose Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, reaffirming its status as part of Somalia and emphasizing the importance of sovereignty and stability in the region. The move has been met with rejection from the African Union, Somalia, and other regional entities, while Israel’s recognition was part of broader diplomatic efforts linked to the Abraham Accords. The international community largely supports Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Interpol Arrests Nearly 600 Cybercriminals Across Africa in Major Operation

Originally Published 19 days ago — by The Hacker News

Featured image for Interpol Arrests Nearly 600 Cybercriminals Across Africa in Major Operation
Source: The Hacker News

INTERPOL's Operation Sentinel led to the arrest of 574 suspects across 19 African countries, recovering $3 million and dismantling cybercrime networks involved in BEC, digital extortion, and ransomware, with estimated losses over $21 million. Additionally, a Ukrainian national pleaded guilty in the U.S. for Nefilim ransomware activities, highlighting ongoing international cybercrime efforts.

Africa's Division Could Form New Continents and Ocean

Originally Published 22 days ago — by IFLScience

Featured image for Africa's Division Could Form New Continents and Ocean
Source: IFLScience

Africa is slowly splitting into two due to the East African Rift System, which could eventually lead to the formation of a new ocean and the separation of East Africa from the rest of the continent over the next 5 to 10 million years, highlighting Earth's ongoing geological evolution.

Trump's Expanded Travel Ban Now Affects 39 Countries, Including Key Regions

Originally Published 25 days ago — by AP News

Featured image for Trump's Expanded Travel Ban Now Affects 39 Countries, Including Key Regions
Source: AP News

Africa has been significantly impacted by Trump's expanded travel restrictions, affecting 20 countries, with largely muted reactions from the continent as nations consider their next steps. The African Union expressed concerns about the negative effects on diplomatic and people-to-people ties, while some countries hope for engagement with the U.S. to review the measures. Critics view the restrictions as unfair and potentially damaging to U.S.-Africa relations, with fears of increased geopolitical competition from rivals like Russia and China.