Britons are rushing to become German citizens before their country leaves the European Union. More than 10 times as many Britons became German citizens in 2017 than in 2015. For the second year running, a record number of Britons became German citizens, the German Federal Statistical Office reported on Wednesday. The consecutive records have been linked to Britain’s upcoming departure from …

A sweets manufacturer in Germany has apologised for comparing Meghan Markle to a chocolate-covered marshmallow. Super Dickmann’s posted the controversial image on Facebook on 19 May, the same day that the former US actress married British royal Prince Harry. The image was accompanied with the caption: “What are you looking at? Wouldn’t you also want to be Meghan today?” Many …

Nigeria has faulted claims that there were 30,000 of its citizens as irregular migrants in Germany who are awaiting repatriation. The Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, said on Wednesday that Nigeria disputes the figure. “To begin with, we dispute that figure of 30,000. That is not the case. We do not have up to 30,000 Nigerian asylum …

The three-year deal will also see ‘Visit Rwanda’ become Arsenal’s official Tourism Partner. The Rwanda Development Board, through its subsidiary, the Rwandan Convention Bureau, has become Arsenal’s first official sleeve partner as part of the country’s drive to become a leading global tourist destination. The three-year deal will also see ‘Visit Rwanda’ become Arsenal’s official Tourism Partner. The ‘Visit Rwanda’ …

Nationwide protests were held this week in Nigeria to mark the funeral of two priests and 17 church members in Benue State. The government must do more to protect the people, Nigeria’s Catholic bishops say. Katrin Gänsler of the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) reports from Gwer, Benue State. Felicia Tabo slowly makes her way through the crowds of …

France’s 2018 World Cup squad is very different from those of the most recent competitions, with manager Didier Deschamps including lots of young talent and making some surprise choices. Of the 23-man list, just nine players were at Euro 2016; a mere six were on the 2014 World Cup list. “I can’t please everyone – but I make choices and …

The German government trained 10,000 Nigerian youths in vocational education between June 2016 and this month, an official of the German National Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Mr Horst Bauernfeind, has said. He made this known on Sunday in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, at the closing ceremony of the programme. Bauernfeind explained that the scheme was part of ongoing …

The German Federal Office for Migration and Asylum (BAMF) will re-examine some 18,000 cases in which refugees were granted asylum in Germany, the agency’s director, Jutta Cordt, has announced. The inspection will cover all successful asylum applications filed as far back as 2000, she added while addressing a press conference on Friday. The measure will be applied to all asylum …

Burundians overwhelmingly voted for constitutional reforms bolstering President Pierre Nkurunziza’s powers and giving him the option to stay in office until 2034, official results showed Monday. Election commission chief Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye said 73 percent of voters had voted “Yes” in a referendum to change the constitution and 19 percent had voted “No”, with a turnout of 96 percent. Last week’s …

The UN migration agency has announced that 700 Ghanaian migrants have been repatriated from Libya since June last year as part of a program on voluntary assisted repatriations in co-operation with the European Union. A total of 706 Ghanaian migrants (661 men and 45 women) who were stranded in Libya have been assisted to return home since June 2017 as …

EU member states are expected to increase detention centre capacity and step up migrant deportations, in line with a request from the European Commission. The European Commission has asked member states to increase their detention centre capacity and step up deportations of economic migrants, according to the latest report on the implementation of the EU Agenda on Migration Policy. The …

The Europe chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has reassured that it would host a Diaspora Conference in London in July, saying a recent campaign of calumny and blackmail against the event by a faceless group would not stop it from organising the conference. Chair, NIDO Europe, Kenneth Gbandi, gave the assurance in a statement issued in Hamburg, …

Germany head coach Joachim Löw has named his preliminary squad for the World Cup, which kicks off in Russia next month. The DFB has extended the head coach’s contract through to the World Cup in 2022. German national coach Joachim Löw has named a squad of 27 players, who will accompany him to the national team’s training camp in Austria …

 Germany has put forward a new proposal for the repatriation of some 30,000 undocumented Nigerian migrants to their home country. Dr Jan Hecker, foreign policy adviser to Chancellor Angela Merkel, visited Abuja last week to hold talks with Nigerian officials on the deportation plan. In an exclusive interview with the German international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama …

Public broadcaster ZDF has ranked every town in Germany based on three categories: work and living, free time and nature, health and security. Of the top five, three are in Bavaria, reports Elizabeth Schumacher. MUNICH The capital of Bavaria was chosen for its sprawling English Garden park, museums, cultural events like Oktoberfest, and proximity to the mountains. It ranked No. …

A medical doctor in Bavaria has publicly announced his decision to stop treating asylum-seekers, after working in a reception centre for three years. He claims half of his patients were simply medical tourists. Health organizations have denounced his statements. Charlotte Hauswedell reports. A doctor working in the Deggendorf reception centre in Germany’s southern state of Bavaria told the German newspaper …

The Schengen area comprises of European countries that have abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy. The Schengen Agreement, which seeks to create a single European territory devoid of internal borders, was signed by five European Union …

The European Commission is proposing to upgrade the Visa Information System (VIS), the database containing information on persons applying for Schengen visas, in order to better respond to evolving security and migratory challenges. A proposal by the European Commission on Wednesday to upgrade the Visa Information System (VIS) aims to make it easier for police to identify people not permitted …

The man has arrived in Milan one day after authorities denied his appeal to stay in Germany. The case sparked major national attention when other migrants prevented authorities’ first attempt to deport him. A 23-year-old refugee from Togo, who made headlines with the attempts to block his deportation order has landed in Italy, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The news came …

John Obi Mikel was named as Nigeria captain when the country’s provisional 30-man squad for the 2018 World Cup was released on Monday. The Super Eagles are the only one of Africa’s five representatives from the last World Cup to return for the 2018 edition, which is being hosted by Russia from June 14 to July 15. The team representing …