U.S. lifts ban on refugees from 11 countries

The United States announced Monday it was lifting its ban on refugees from 11 "high-risk" countries, but said those seeking to enter the U.S. would come under much tougher scrutiny than in the past, AFP reported.

Applicants from 11 countries, unnamed but understood to include 10 Muslim-majority nations plus North Korea, will face tougher "risk-based" assessments to be accepted.