Cyprus is at the centre of controversy surrounding the issuing of EU passports to wealthy foreigners, reports Emma Beswick According to UK newspaper, The Guardian, Cyprus received over 4 billion euros since 2013 by granting “golden visas” to the super rich, in exchange for cash. Applicants have to invest 2 million euros in property, or 2.5 million euros in companies …

The drinking has begun as wet weather and enhanced security did not dampen the spirits of beer enthusiasts at the 184th Oktoberfest which opened in Munich on Saturday (16 September). Six million people from all over the world are expected to visit the world’s largest beer festival, which runs until 3 October. This year, visitors will be able to download …

Most migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean to Italy come from Nigeria. EU policy makers have been looking for ways to put a stop to this, but is pumping money into Africa really the solution? Chloe Lyneham reports. For the last eight years, the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, has been tearing northeastern Nigeria apart. The UN estimates …

Tunisia has lifted a ban on Muslim women marrying non-Muslim men after years of campaign against the marriage law imposed in 1973. President Beji Caid Essebsi had promised a month ago that the ban will be lifted in respect of the 2014 constitution that guarantees women’s freedom. Spokesperson of the presidency, Saida Garrach is reported to have confirmed the lifting …

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has finally spoken on the political crisis in Togo urging the government and opposition to dialogue on necessary constitutional reforms. Head of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel Alain de Souza, was in the Togolese capital, Lome, on Wednesday (13 September). During his visit, he met President Faure Gnassingbé and the opposition leaders. The …

The Ambassador of Ghana to the Federal Republic of Germany, Her Excellency Mrs Gina Ama Blay, presented her letter of credence to His Excellency Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s President, at Schloss Bellevue on 29 August 2017 in Berlin. To mark the occasion, a reception attended by many dignitaries was held at Maritim Hotel. It was a colourful occasion since most …

Ethiopians ushered in a New Year on 11 September with bright and colourful decorations in the capital, Addis Ababa, and other cities and towns across the country. Nationals enter the year 2010 according to the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar, which is nearly seven years behind the Gregorian calendar commonly used worldwide. Locally known as Enkutatash, Amharic for gift of jewels, family …

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has called on the European Union member states to contribute to Africa or face risks of migrant influx. Juncker said on Wednesday during the EU’s State of the Union Address that Europe could face a repeat of the 2015 high influx of migrants when the UN’s World Food Programme ran out of funds. “Our …

New EU proposals on sending unwanted migrants back to their homes countries and creating new legal routes for those requiring protection are set to be unveiled before the end of the month. Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, told members of the European Parliament on Wednesday (13 September) that people with no rights to stay in Europe must …

Youths have been advised to properly assess all their options before deciding to travel abroad for greener pastures. The advice was given by Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, president of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Europe, on Tuesday (12 September) while launching the campaign again irregular migration in Lagos. The Germany-based journalist and media consultant said travelling abroad does not in …

German police on Tuesday said they had broken up a fake marriage ring that paired Portuguese women with Nigerian men who paid thousands of euros for a chance to gain EU residency. Police arrested five suspects, including four women, as they carried out raids in more than 40 locations across the German capital, Berlin police and prosecutors said in a …

Collins Nweke, Belgian politician of Nigerian origin, writes on the expected changes in bilateral relations between Nigeria and Belgium as the new Nigerian ambassador to Brussels assumes office. Nigeria and Belgium have a 56-year diplomatic relations. When the new Ambassador of Nigeria to Belgium presented her Letters of Credence to His Majesty, Phillipe I, King of the Belgians today, Wednesday …

The EU is financing and perpetuating the cycle of suffering of migrants in Libya by forcing people to return to notorious detention centres, says the head of a major charity. Joanne Liu, the president of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) International, told reporters on Thursday (7 September) that European governments are complicit in torture and that the EU’s policy of ring …

A woman from Ghana gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday morning (6 September) onboard a Spanish NGO vessel immediately after she was rescued trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Italy. Despite a lack of sterile hospital conditions, the on-board doctor, with the help of crew members, successfully delivered the baby girl before returning to harbour, …

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said on Wednesday (6 September) that an EU Council decision in September 2015 that imposed the quota system was valid. EU interior ministers at the time voted to share 120,000 asylum seekers from frontline states Greece and Italy. They were to be distributed according to calculations based on member states’ size and wealth, with …

Hundreds of thousands of citizens turned out in the Togolese capital, Lome, on Wednesday in the latest round of anti-government protest called by main opposition parties. An opposition leader, Jean-Pierre Fabre, is quoted as describing the turnout as ‘unprecedented.’ A key activist Farida Nabourema put the estimates at a million people. The turnout comes despite two key actions by the …

Angola’s election body has released the final results of the 23 August polls. The ruling MPLA won by 61% picking 150 seats in the 220-seat parliament. Joao Lourenco was also declared president-elect. Angola’s National Electoral Commission (CNE) on Wednesday released official and final results of the country’s 23 August polls confirming that the governing MPLA won by over 61%. The …

The city of Frankfurt will again host the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and its sister event Nollywood Europe Golden Award (NEGA) on 8-10 September. Some of the leading lights of the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industry will grace the festival. Among these is Naida Buari, the Ghanaian diva, whose new film “Deranged” will be premiered at the festival. Other …

Around 200 authors from over 40 countries are expected to attend the Berlin International Literature Festival on 6 – 16 September to consider the current challenges facing literature. Among leading writers expected to attend the festival are India’s Arundhati Roy, France’s Yasmina Reza and the US’s Donna Leon with authors presenting new works at about 100 events, organizers said. Now …

Kenya’s electoral body the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has set a date for the repeat presidential election as ordered by the country’s Supreme Court last week. The electoral commission said on Monday that the repeat exercise will be carried out on 17 October. The commission further stated that only President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga will …