Like every month, April 2025 brings several important legal changes affecting people living in Germany. These include the recognition of three new occupational diseases, adjustments to colon cancer screening rules, a lower threshold for parental benefits and new travel regulations for the UK, among others. Here’s a summary of the key changes. Relaxation of Germany’s Debt Brake One of the …

YANA Berlin will relaunch its services to provide support for asylum-seekers and other new African migrants in the German capital on 1 April. The migrant advisory service, run by the nonprofit German-African Initiative for Development and Integration (GAIDI), operates under the motto “You Are Not Alone in Berlin” (YANA Berlin), offering guidance to ease integration. Supported for the first time …

As Germany’s coalition talks between the Union parties (CDU/CSU) and SPD progress, migrant advocacy groups are pushing for greater political representation. Thirteen national umbrella organisations have called for at least 25% of cabinet positions to be filled by people with migrant backgrounds, warning that without meaningful inclusion, policies remain “mere symbolism.” Beyond cabinet representation, the organisations demand a national action …

A new study by the German Economic Institute (IW), commissioned by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), has highlighted the significant economic benefits that international students bring to Germany. The research found that international students generate a return eight times greater than the government’s investment in their education. With around 492,600 international students currently studying in Germany, the country has …

Germany has updated its travel advisory for citizens visiting the United States following multiple reports of German nationals being detained at border entry points. The advisory warns that obtaining a visa or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) does not guarantee entry, as final admission decisions rest with US border officials. The revision comes after several German travellers were …

The closing event of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) took place at the GLS Campus Berlin on Friday, 21 February. The event, which brought together German government officials, scholars, international guests and civil society organisations from the Black community, featured the presentation of the final report of the advisory board set up by the German …

I was in an African restaurant in Berlin recently, and the topic of discussion was travel — not just to our countries of origin. As German passport holders, we are fortunate to have access to 189 countries and territories around the world without needing a visa. In effect, the world is at our feet. The same applies to those who …

*By Steve Ogah On 20 January 2025, the destiny of most migrants in America took a turn for the worse after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, their fortunes further deteriorating after he signed the “securing our border” executive order, a move that could see undocumented migrants deported from the country in droves. While many migrants suspected what they …

On 13 March 2025, Cape Town hosted the 8th South Africa–European Union (EU) Summit to reinforce the longstanding collaboration between the two partners amid hostile policies of the new US administration. President Donald Trump recently cancelled all aid to South Africa ostensibly for expropriating land from its white citizens without compensation. The one-day summit, centered on collaboration in trade and …

The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and German engineering firm GAUFF GmbH & Co. Engineering KG will sign a landmark contract for an off-grid electrification project on 19 March. The signing ceremony, which will hold during the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2025, marks a major milestone in the growing collaboration between Germany and African nations in …