TimeLine Layout

November, 2018

  • 30 November

    European Parliament votes on new Schengen rules

    Border checks between Schengen countries should be limited to a maximum of one year, instead of the current two-year period, the European Parliament said in a draft law on Thursday (29 November). Worried by member states that have introduced internal border checks within the Schengen area, the European Parliament (MEPs) decided on Thursday on new rules governing the use of …

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  • 30 November

    Reggae added to UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage List

    The UN cultural agency has recognised reggae as an intangible cultural heritage worth protecting for its “contribution to international discourse on issues of injustice, resistance, love and humanity underscores the dynamics of the element as being at once cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual”. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognised reggae music as a cultural treasure …

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  • 29 November

    Vienna 2018: Conference sets goals for Nigerian Diaspora Europe

    Femi Awoniyi concludes his 3-part report on the annual general meeting of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe, which held in Vienna, Austria, on 8-10 November. The third and final day of the annual general meeting of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE), chaired by Ambassador Vivian Okeke, Nigeria’s envoy to Austria, featured discussions on the challenges before the …

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  • 29 November

    German Africa Prize 2018 presented to Conservationists in Berlin

    It was a special moment for international environmental protection on Wednesday when the President of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Dr Wolfgang Schäuble, presented the German Africa Prize 2018 to conservationists Clovis Razafimalala from Madagascar and Gerald Bigurube from Tanzania. Ecological and economic development must go hand in hand, Schäuble at the ceremony, attended by over 300 guests from the worlds …

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  • 29 November

    Italy adopts tough anti-migrant law

    The Italian parliament has passed into law a tough anti-migrant and security bill designed to make it easier to deport migrants and restrict residency permits. The controversial bill, which makes it easier to expel migrants and limits residency permits, was passed in the lower house of parliament with 396 in favour to 99 against on Wednesday (28 November). “I’m happy, …

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  • 28 November

    Germany’s immigrants better integrated than 10 years ago, study says

    Immigrants in Germany are better integrated than was the case a decade ago, researchers have found. While most German residents with foreign roots have become part of society, a small group feels like they don’t belong. Most immigrants in Germany view integration as important but also wish to maintain their own culture, according to a new study from the VHW, …

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  • 27 November

    Brexit: EU, Britain agree on divorce terms, but hurdle remains

    Leaders of the European Union gathered in Brussels have endorsed an agreement on Britain’s departure from the 28-nation bloc. But British PM Theresa May still needs to get the deal approved by the UK parliament. Leaders of 27 European Union nations on Sunday endorsed an agreement detailing the terms and conditions on which Britain will leave the bloc on March …

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  • 27 November

    Liberian women activist awarded 2018 Bonn International Democracy Prize

    Liberian activist and former Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Leymah Gbowee, has been awarded the 2018 Bonn International Democracy Prize. She was announced winner in mid-October 2018 but the award ceremony took place on 16 November. The award goes with a 10,000 euro cash prize. The latest award is for her continuous fight for the rights of Liberians and championing women …

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  • 26 November

    Didier Drogba retires from football

    Côte d’Ivoire and Chelsea great striker Didier Drogba has formally announced his retirement from football after a 20-year career. The 40-year-old scored 164 goals in 381 appearances for Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League, while he is also Côte d’Ivoire’s all-time record goalscorer with 65. Drogba spent the last 18 months of …

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  • 26 November

    MEPN tasks Nigerian government on consular support for irregular migrants

    The Migration Enlightenment Project Nigeria (MEPN) has called on the Nigerian government to “significantly increase consular support” to Nigerian irregular migrants in the transit and destination countries. The Germany-based group made the call in a press statement, released on Monday 26 November, arguing that stranded migrants, especially in transit, are left totally at the mercy of the very traffickers who …

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