As a new month begins, so do new laws and regulations in Germany. From higher pensions and wages to updated tax deadlines and simplified care benefits, July 2025 brings a range of changes that affect millions of people in the country. Whether you’re retired, working in healthcare, caring for a loved one or filing your taxes — it’s important to …

While recent US immigration raids make international headlines, a quiet surge in enforcement across Europe is increasingly targeting undocumented migrants, many of them from Africa. In France, the interior ministry this month deployed 4,000 police officers to conduct sweeping ID checks at train and bus stations. Migrant rights group La Cimade called the move “Trumpist,” warning it portrays undocumented people …

Five years after Berlin enacted its groundbreaking anti-discrimination law targeting bias within public institutions, a new report reveals a steady stream of complaints, highlighting persistent structural discrimination, particularly racism, in areas such as local government offices and schools. Since the law came into effect on 21 June 2020, the state Ombudsoffice established to handle such cases has recorded 1,785 formal …

In a major ruling that challenges Germany’s increasingly restrictive asylum policies, the Higher Social Court of Lower Saxony has declared that asylum-seekers cannot be completely cut off from state welfare support even when their application has been rejected under the EU’s Dublin Regulation and their deportation is delayed. The decision, announced Monday, 23 June, stems from the emergency appeal of …

Emanuel Odiase is not just another rising star in the boxing world, he’s a symbol of Afro-German excellence, discipline and quiet determination. Born and raised in Heidelberg to a German mother and Nigerian father, the 26-year-old heavyweight boxer stands tall, literally and figuratively, at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) and weighing 118 kg. His imposing stature in the ring …

The city of Potsdam, the capital of the federal state of Brandenburg, will host the 14th Africa Festival on Saturday, 5 July. Themed “Tracing Africa’s Footprints: Unity in Diversity”, the festival promises a full-day celebration with free, family-friendly activities showcasing the continent’s vibrant cultures and fostering connections between the African and local communities. The 2025 event offers something for everyone …

A growing number of migrants living in Germany are contemplating leaving the country due to political dissatisfaction, high taxes, excessive bureaucracy and personal preferences. This is the key finding of a new study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), which raises concerns about the long-term retention of skilled foreign workers vital to Germany’s labour market. The study, published recently, …

At the Skytrax World Airline Awards gala in Paris on 17 June 2025, Qatar Airways was crowned the World’s Best Airline for a record-tying ninth time, consolidating its dominant position with additional honours for Best Business Class, Best Business Class Lounge (Al Mourjan Garden) and Best Airline in the Middle East. Singapore Airlines, a five-time winner of the coveted Airline of the …

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany e.V. took place on Saturday, 14 June in Berlin. Members from across Germany gathered in the federal capital, joined by others participating online, to review the state of NIDO Germany and chart a course for the future. Outgoing President, Dr Moses Kolade Ogun, presented a report on …

A new study has revealed that increased immigration could significantly ease the burden on Germany’s social welfare system, offering a long-term boost to public finances. According to research commissioned by the Mediendienst Integration, Germany’s public coffers could benefit from savings of approximately €100 billion each year if net migration increases steadily. The study, conducted by economist Martin Werding, a member …

Nigeria is one of 36 countries reportedly being considered for new US visa restrictions. Belgium-based public affairs analyst Collins Nweke urges the Nigerian government to respond strategically to this development. He outlines how Abuja can approach the situation in a manner that prioritizes the interests of its citizens. The reported leaked memo from the office of the United States Secretary …

Beginning from June 2025, the United States has imposed strict entry restrictions on nationals from many countries across the globe, some of them African. These measures, whether total or partial bans, affect travel for tourism, business, study or family visits, and are already having serious implications for millions of people. According to multiple news sources, the US government is preparing …

Germany recorded a historic surge in naturalisations in 2024, with nearly 292,000 foreign nationals acquiring German citizenship – the highest number ever recorded since official statistics began in 2000. According to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden, this represents a 46% increase compared to 2023, marking a clear upward trend. The sharp rise is attributed partly to legal reforms introduced …

Despite ongoing funding challenges, the Afrika Film Festival Köln will return in 2025 for its 22nd edition, reaffirming its role as a vital platform for African cinema in Europe. Running from 18 to 28 September, the festival will once again transform Cologne into a cinematic hub for powerful African storytelling, global premieres and thought-provoking dialogue. Under the banner “Afrikas Kino lebt …

One of Europe’s most enduring African cultural events is marking a major milestone. The African Music Festival, held annually in the picturesque town of Emmendingen in southwest Germany usually in the first weekend of August, is celebrating its 25th anniversary — a remarkable achievement that highlights its legacy of music, multiculturalism and community engagement. From its modest beginnings in 2000, …