Trump administration implements four-year limit on foreign student and exchange visitor stays in US
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has finalized a new rule that restricts most foreign students and exchange visitors to a maximum of four years in the country. An extension from the Federal Government would be required for longer stays. This new policy, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, replaces the previous "duration of status" rule, which allowed international students to remain in the US for the entire length of their academic programs as long as they met visa requirements. The restriction applies to students on F-1 visas and exchange visitors on J-1 visas. The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged concerns that some students might struggle to complete their degrees within this timeframe, noting that many bachelor's and doctoral programs often exceed four years. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated the change is necessary to enhance immigration enforcement and prevent visa overstays, citing that the previous system compromised national security and facilitated immigration fraud. However, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, criticized the policy, calling it an unnecessary shift that introduces uncertainty and bureaucracy into the system.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
FIFA announced that the winners of the 2026 World Cup will receive championship rings, a first for the tournament, in addition to the trophy and gold medals. This initiative brings an American sporting tradition to global football. A limited edition of 2,026 individually numbered rings will be produced to commemorate the tournament. Thirty rings will be reserved for the World Cup-winning team, while the remaining 1,996 will be available to fans worldwide as an official licensed product. Each ring will feature the FIFA World Cup trophy on one side, with the other side customized to reflect the winning team's identity. The rings will be individually numbered, custom-fitted, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The captain and head coach of the winning team will receive temporary rings immediately after Sunday's final, with the 30 customized rings for the champions to be officially presented later.
Cross River State has initiated a weeklong awareness campaign to address preeclampsia and decrease maternal and neonatal mortality. Organized by the Cross River State chapter of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria SOGON, the campaign is themed “Preeclampsia: The Unforeseen Enemy at the Door.” Dr. Dan Abubakar, Chairman of the Cross River State Task Force on Health Quality and Anti-Quackery, urged health practitioners to uphold professional standards despite economic challenges. He highlighted preeclampsia as a leading cause of maternal and neonatal deaths globally, emphasizing that early detection, prompt treatment, and quality obstetric care are crucial for prevention. Dr. Abubakar acknowledged the increasing pressure on healthcare facilities and personnel but stressed that patient safety must remain the highest priority. Declaring the event open, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, affirmed the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration's commitment to safeguarding mothers and newborns through healthcare investments. Ayuk stated that maternal health is a central pillar of the state’s People First Agenda, with the Ministry of Health implementing reforms to revitalize health facilities, strengthen service delivery, and ensure accessible maternal healthcare. He noted that improving maternal health requires strong regulatory systems and modern healthcare infrastructure, including integrating advanced healthcare management systems and enforcing regula
Stakeholders in Nigeria's telecommunications sector have endorsed the Nigerian Communications Commission's draft business rules for Mobile Virtual Network Operators, while also urging the regulator to enhance enforcement. This call was made during the Mobile Virtual Network Operator Business Rules Stakeholders' Consultative Forum in Abuja, where the NCC presented a framework to govern MVNO operations and their interactions with host network operators. Usman Mamman, Director of Licensing and Authorisation at the NCC, speaking on behalf of the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, stated that the rules aim to boost competition, expand access, and foster innovation, aligning with Nigeria's digital inclusion goals. He emphasized that the rules clarify licensing, operational responsibilities, and commercial relationships, while safeguarding consumers and market integrity, and stressed the expectation of strict compliance from all operators. The draft framework, developed after extensive engagement with operators, addresses challenges encountered since the licensing regime began, covering areas such as onboarding, interconnection, numbering resources, SIM/eSIM management, quality of service, revenue sharing, infrastructure access, consumer protection, and dispute resolution. Ken Nwabueze, President of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators, welcomed the framework but highlighted the critical need for enforcement, stating that effective im