From 1 February 2026, Germany will apply a new regulation that fundamentally changes how so-called “safe countries of origin” are designated in asylum procedures. The federal government says the move will speed up decisions, ease pressure on authorities and courts, and send a clear signal that asylum applications from certain countries have little chance of success. Critics, however, warn that …

When the City of Erlangen formally honoured Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana at a solemn ceremony on 13 January 2026, it was more than a celebratory moment. Held at Erlangen City Hall during a special session of the City Council, the occasion marked the recognition of a life dedicated to social justice, civic engagement and the long, often difficult struggle for equality …

February 2026 may be short, but it brings wide-ranging changes—from migration and travel rules to religious life. Staying informed helps residents navigate the month with fewer surprises and better preparation. Here is a clear overview of what is new—and what it means in everyday life. Continued School Support for Low-Income Families As the second half of the 2025/2026 school year …

Germany’s Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Bärbel Bas, a member of the SPD, has intensified calls within the federal government for stronger legal protections to keep young refugees in the country during and after vocational training. Speaking during a recent visit to the ABB Training Centre Berlin/Brandenburg, Bas underlined the urgent need for certainty for German companies that …

The German government has put forward a new draft law aimed at stopping what it describes as the abuse of paternity acknowledgments — a practice called “sham paternity” (Scheinvaterschaft) — that can be used to secure residence rights, citizenship and social benefits for children and their parents. The reform is intended by the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz to address …

As Cyprus assumes its six-month presidency of the European Union (1 January – 30 June 2026), the Mediterranean island is moving quickly to underline its priorities — with migration control and returns high on the agenda. These developments are being followed with concerns by refugee support groups. In recent weeks, Cypriot authorities have intensified the removal of people whose asylum …

The landmark Trans-African Tourism and Unity Campaign, led by Pan-African advocate and former Ghanaian lawmaker Ras Mubarak, concluded its multi-month continental tour on 22 January 2026 after traversing 31 African countries and covering more than 40,000 kilometres. The campaign, which began in Accra on 18 August 2025, was to promote visa-free travel across Africa by 2030, strengthen tourism, deepen cultural …

Germany is moving ahead with a major overhaul of its welfare system. The federal government has approved plans to abolish the Bürgergeld (citizens’ allowance) and replace it with a new system known as Neue Grundsicherung (New Basic Security). The reform, which is currently under parliamentary debate, is expected to come into force on 1 July 2026, marking a decisive shift …

Over 60% of African countries now face costly bonds or travel restrictions, highlighting the growing global mobility gap compared with European citizens, for example. In recent months, the United States has introduced sweeping visa policy changes that disproportionately affect travellers from Africa, adding new obstacles to business trips, tourism and family reunification. Central to these changes is an expanded B‑1/B‑2 …

The newly released Henley Passport Index 2026 once again highlights the deep inequalities that shape global mobility, showing how nationality continues to determine who can move freely across borders and who cannot. The annual ranking, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), assesses passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without obtaining a …

Against a backdrop of shrinking budgets and a weakening system of international cooperation, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali Radovan, has announced a strategic reorientation of the country’s development policy. The new approach places stronger emphasis on clearly defined priorities, regional focus and a more explicit alignment with German interests. Presenting a policy paper in Berlin …

Germany urgently needs immigration to cushion the effects of demographic change and labour shortages. Yet a growing number of people living in the country, particularly those with a migration background, are contemplating the opposite move: leaving Germany altogether. According to a new short study by the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), 21 per cent of people living …

Germany’s Federal Police Commissioner (Bundespolizeibeauftragter), Uli Grötsch, has acknowledged that incidents of racial discrimination experienced by Black people and other People of Colour are reported far too rarely through official channels, limiting the ability of authorities to investigate and address misconduct within the police. Speaking in Berlin, Grötsch said he regularly hears accounts of discriminatory behaviour by federal police officers, …

The waters off The Gambia have claimed yet more young lives in a devastating reminder of the perils of irregular migration. On New Year’s Eve, a boat carrying over 200 migrants capsized near Jinak village in the North Bank Region, leaving at least 31 people dead and dozens still missing. For the survivors, hope has come at a steep price: …

African fashion has flourished in terms of creativity and innovation in recent years, and is attracting global attention, writes Adwoa Owusuaa Bobie* in this study _________ African fashion has flourished in terms of creativity and innovation in recent years, and is attracting global attention. Designers and labels are churning out garments that reflect African cities and how they interact with …

Bulgaria officially joined the Eurozone on 1 January, adopting the euro as its national currency and becoming the 21st EU member state to share the common European currency. This development represents a major milestone not only for Bulgaria, but also for the broader European integration project. With Bulgaria’s accession, 21 of the European Union’s 27 member states now use the …

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered his New Year’s address to the nation at the end of 2025, outlining his vision and priorities for 2026 and urging citizens to face global and domestic challenges with confidence and unity. In his speech, Merz reflected on the past year as one of both personal and national stories, marked by achievements, setbacks, and rapid …

The minimum wage and the CO₂ price are rising. The Germany-wide public transport ticket is becoming more expensive, as are fuel and heating with oil and gas. A wide range of changes will come into force in 2026. Many of them take effect automatically, through taxes, social security contributions or higher tax allowances. Others will be felt more directly when …

Travelling to Europe will become more digital and more regulated in 2026, as the European Union and the United Kingdom introduce new entry systems aimed at improving border security and managing migration. These changes will be particularly relevant for travellers from Africa and other non-EU regions who visit Europe for tourism, business, education or family reasons. One of the most …

Racist insults, threats and online hate are part of everyday life for many Black people and Afro-Germans in Germany, according to a new study by the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (Instituts für Demokratie und Zivilgesellschaft, IDZ). The study, which was officially presented and released in Jena in December 2025, highlights racism as a structural problem deeply embedded in …