Canada has announced significant changes to its visa policy, eliminating the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas for tourists.

The new guidelines, introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), give immigration officers more discretion in granting visas based on individual assessments rather than defaulting to extended validity periods.

Under the updated policy, applicants may now receive visas for shorter durations, and those who frequently visit Canada for work or leisure could face higher application fees and more limited validity periods.

The move is part of a broader effort by the Canadian government to manage temporary immigration levels, alleviate housing shortages, and address rising living costs.

Previously, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: multiple-entry visas, which allowed visits over a 10-year period (or until the passport expired), and single-entry visas, which were issued for specific circumstances like official visits or single-event participation.

The new policy gives immigration officers the authority to decide whether to issue a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, considering each application on a case-by-case basis.

The IRCC clarified that the 10-year multiple-entry visa will no longer be considered the default option.

Officers now have more flexibility in determining the appropriate visa type and validity period based on the applicant’s travel history and the purpose of their visit.

This policy shift is part of Canada’s broader strategy to manage its immigration system more sustainably.

In addition to the visa changes, Canada has also revised its targets for permanent resident admissions, reducing the number from 500,000 to 395,000 for 2025, with further reductions planned for the following years.

These measures reflect Canada’s efforts to balance immigration growth with the country’s economic and infrastructure challenges, ensuring that immigration remains manageable in light of housing pressures and the cost of living.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S election victory, praising the Republican’s “manly” reaction to an attempted assassination and stating that he is “ready” to speak with the president-elect.

Speaking at the annual Valdai Club meeting in Sochi on Thursday, Putin officially broke his silence, offering his congratulations after initially withholding public well-wishes.

He said, “I take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election as president of the United States of America.”

Putin revealed that, despite receiving calls from Western leaders following the election, he had not yet spoken to Trump but was open to communication.

“If any of them wants to resume contact, I have always said and I want to say again: we have nothing against it,” Putin stated.

When asked directly if he would be willing to engage with Trump even before his inauguration, Putin responded affirmatively: “We are ready, ready.”

During his campaign, Trump had made bold claims about his ability to swiftly end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, promising that he could broker a peace deal in a single day.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Trump’s assertions, claiming any such deal would be detrimental to Ukraine.

Putin expressed uncertainty about how Trump’s foreign policy would unfold once in office, given that his campaign remarks were made in the heat of election rhetoric.

Nevertheless, Putin acknowledged Trump’s stated desire to “restore relations with Russia” and end the Ukrainian crisis, calling it a position “worthy of attention.”

Throughout his campaign, Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Putin, calling him a strong leader, a sentiment that Putin seemed to reciprocate.

The Russian president complimented Trump’s “manly” response to the July assassination attempt against him, noting, “He turned out to be a courageous man. He showed himself, in my opinion, in a very correct way: courageous, manly.”

Botswana officially inaugurated its new president, Duma Boko, on Friday, marking a new beginning after his overwhelming election victory that ended nearly 60 years of rule by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

Boko, 54, took the oath of office at a grand ceremony in the national stadium in the capital, Gaborone, before thousands of jubilant citizens.

The event was also attended by several heads of state from southern Africa, including the presidents of Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, who witnessed the historic occasion.

In his speech, Boko, a former human rights lawyer turned politician, emphasized the collective effort that led to his victory.

“I stand before you today as the living embodiment of your deep and true resolve. Together, we usher in a new political dawn.”

Boko, the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), which is a left-wing coalition, won a decisive 36 seats in Botswana’s parliament in the October 30 elections.

This was a dramatic shift in the political landscape, as the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which had held power since the country gained independence from Britain in 1966, secured only four seats.

Former President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, who had conceded defeat just a week prior, was also present at the ceremony, acknowledging the smooth transition of power.

Boko, dressed in the colors of the Botswana flag — a blue shirt and black tie — made a memorable entrance to the stadium, waving to the crowd from a vehicle, accompanied by galloping white horses.

For many in the crowd, the event symbolized a new era of unity and hope.

“The attendance of Batswana from all walks of life shows how united we are and committed to nation-building,” said Wabuya Keobonye, an 88-year-old taxi driver at the ceremony.

Boko’s decision to declare the day a public holiday allowed citizens from all over the country to join in the historic moment.

“Today is a special day for us as citizens of this nation, and the president’s decision to declare it a holiday allowed us to come together and witness this important event,” Keobonye added.

In the lead-up to the election, the country’s high unemployment rate and struggling economy were central issues for voters, especially among the younger population.

The election saw an impressive 80 percent voter turnout, with approximately 34 percent of the voters being young people.

“Youth are the leaders of today, not tomorrow,” said Ipotseng Negroes, a 35-year-old farmer who attended the inauguration.

“We showed up in large numbers because we want change. The power of the people of Botswana is loud and clear.”