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31 January

Milestone: Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana Inducted as Honorary Citizen of Erlangen

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 …

31 January

Germany: What Changes in February 2026? Key Legal, Travel and other Updates

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 …

26 January

Germany: Labour Minister Pushes for Better Residency Rights for Trainee Refugees

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 …

25 January

Germany moves to curb abuse of paternity acknowledgments

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 …

25 January

Cyprus signals tougher line on migration as it takes EU helm

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 …

25 January

Trans-African Tourism and Unity Campaign Concludes Historic Continental Journey

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 …

25 January

Germany: Growing concerns for benefit recipients over changes in 2026

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 …

17 January

US Increases Entry Barriers for Most African Nationals

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 …

17 January

Henley Passport Index 2026: A World Divided by Travel Freedom

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 …

17 January

Germany Refocuses Development Policy in a Changing Global Order

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 …

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January, 2026