The Trump administration's controversial travel ban has now been expanded to include Nigeria and five other countries.
Starting February 21, immigration restrictions will be imposed on Eritrea, Tanzania, Sudan, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar, with US officials explaining that they failed to meet security standards.
Belarus, which had been under consideration for inclusion, did not make it to the list as it took steps to remedy deficiencies in recent months.
Temporary visas for tourists, business people, students and workers from those nations will remain unaffected.
The US will also stop issuing "diversity visas" to nationals of Sudan and Tanzania.
Critics had earlier criticised US President Donald Trump's 2017 travel ban on Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, North Korea and Venezuela as discriminatory.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday.
Israel intends to broaden its military operation in Rafah, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday told a senior aide to US President Joe Biden, who has warned against major action in the southern Gazan city that may risk mass civilian casualties.
Israel describes Rafah, which abuts the Gaza Strip's border with the Egyptian Sinai, as the last stronghold of Hamas Islamists whose governing and combat capabilities it has been trying to dismantle during the more than seven-month-old war.
After weeks of public disagreements with Washington over the Rafah planning, Israel on May 6 ordered Pale
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te asked China on Monday to stop its military and political threats, saying in his inauguration speech that peace is the only choice and that Beijing had to respect the choice of the Taiwanese people.
South Africa's constitutional court ruled on Monday that former president Jacob Zuma was not eligible to run for parliament in this month's election, a decision that was closely watched as it has the potential to affect the outcome of the election.
Iranian President Raisi killed in helicopter accident, state media says
Israel intends to broaden Rafah sweep, Defence Minister tells US
New Taiwanese president calls on China to stop threats
India votes in fifth phase of elections
South Africa's ex-leader Zuma barred from running for parliament
