Hundreds of Muslims gathered just meters away from where the Barcelona terror attack of last Thursday took place to protest against Islamic-inspired violence. Spain was hit by its worst terrorist attack in more than a decade on 17 August, when a van driver rammed into dozens of people enjoying a sunny afternoon on one of Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfares, killing …
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Erdogan urges Germany’s Turks not to vote for main parties
In an unusual intervention in Germany’s coming general election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday called on Turkish-origin Germans to give a “slap” to both parties in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition in September polls. Erdogan has caused consternation in Berlin by urging ethnic Turks in Germany to vote neither for Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its coalition partner …
Read More »MasterCard partners Ghana for a cashless economy
A cashless economy is one in which the purchase of goods and services and the payment of debts and remittances are done through electronic money media, either through credit and debit cards, direct transfers from one account to another, smart cards, mobile payment systems, and other technologies. With aspirations of becoming an African economic powerhouse, Ghana is partnering with organisations …
Read More »Nollywood blockbuster shines spotlight on South African tourist sites
Through an innovative partnership showcasing South Africa’s diverse tourism attractions, the South African launch of Nollywood action comedy 10 Days in Sun City recently took place at Sun City where the movie was filmed. Directed by South African-based Nigerian director Adze Ugah, the movie is the highest-earning film in Nigeria this year and topped the country’s box office for two …
Read More »Togolese at home and abroad rise against Gnassingbe ruling dynasty
Thousands of Togolese nationals held demonstrations in about half a dozen cities around the world including the capital Lome where it turned deadly after clashes with security forces. The demonstrations, organised by the opposition Pan African National Party (PNP), were held simultaneously in Accra, Libreville, New York and Berlin on Saturday demanding the reinstatement of the 1992 constitution that limits …
Read More »Buhari declares Nigerian unity “settled”, condemns ethnic hate commentaries
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable, in an apparent reference to tension in the country. In his broadcast to the nation this morning, following his extended medical vacation in the United Kingdom, Buhari also directed security agencies to fight and destroy terrorists and criminals “so that the majority of us can live in …
Read More »Buhari returns to Nigeria; but can he govern?
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari returned home unexpectedly on Saturday after three months in Britain where he had been on medical leave. A group of Nigerians had staged a protest outside the London residence of the ailing president on Friday, demanding that he returns home to Nigeria or resign immediately due to an undisclosed ailment that had kept him out of …
Read More »Nigerians in London protest outside President Buhari’s residence
A group of Nigerians has staged a protest outside the residence of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari. The protesters are demanding that the president return home to Nigeria or resign immediately due to an undisclosed ailment that has kept him out of office for more than 100 days. The #ResumeorResign protesters gathered outside Buhari’s house on Friday. They had been …
Read More »Nigeria criminalises hate speech, classifies it as terrorism
In the midst of political agitations from different groups in the country, Nigeria’s federal government has come into the debate forcefully by declaring hate speech as a crime of terrorism under the country’s amended anti-terrorism law. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo clearly stated on Thursday at a security forum in the capital Abuja that the government is taking intimidation of people …
Read More »Ghana implements ban on import, sale of skin bleaching products
The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority has commenced the implementation of the ban on import and sale of skin bleaching products imposed in January this year. The Acting Chief Executive of the Authority, Mimi Darko told a parliamentary committee on Wednesday (16 August) that they are cracking down on the products in the market. She told the committee that the …
Read More »Visa-free travel for EU visitors to UK after Brexit
Britain is reportedly planning to allow visa-free travel to the country for people from the European Union after Brexit. There has been no official announcement but British media, quoting unnamed government sources, say visitors won’t face any new constraints. However, people who want to work, study or settle in the UK will need to comply with future migration rules once …
Read More »Why Black children in German schools need to be supported – Author
Sharon Dodua Otoo*, Berlin-based mother, activist and author, writes to the Black community in Germany on the experiences of children of African heritage in schools and why they need the understanding and support of their parents. A Letter to the Village Dear Elders, You may already know that I am legally required to send my sons to school because we …
Read More »Kenyan opposition leader to challenge Kenyatta’s re-election in court
Leader of the Kenyan opposition Raila Odinga will take his claim that last week’s presidential election was rigged to the country’s Supreme Court. Although foreign observers said the vote was free and fair, Odinga, who lost out to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta, has accused the electoral authorities of fraud tantamount to “democracy’s slaughter”. He said his party, the left wing …
Read More »Kenya’s stock market hits 14-month high after Kenyatta’s victory
Kenya’s main stock index rose 2.51 per cent on Monday to a 14-month high, building on gains last week as investors welcomed the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta. The NSE-20 index has risen nearly 7 per cent since the election last week’s Tuesday. Kenyatta was declared winner by a clear margin on Friday but his main challenger, Raila Odinga, has …
Read More »Important things to know about deportations in Germany
Who orders and who carries out deportations? And why do some people who get told to leave get to stay anyway? Jefferson Chase of Deutsche Welle (DW) untangles Germany’s complex and multilayered rules about who can be deported under what circumstances. ———————— Who decides whether someone should be deported? You might think that would be the task of the Federal Ministry of …
Read More »Hundreds feared dead in massive mudslide after heavy rain in Freetown
Hundreds of people are feared dead in Sierra Leone’s capital city following a massive mudslide. Dozens of houses were submerged in mud after heavy rain caused a hillside to collapse in the mountain town of Regent on the outskirts of Freetown. Some reports put the death toll as high as 200. As many as 60 children are thought to be …
Read More »Ghana revokes operating license of two banks
Ghana’s central bank has revoked the operating licenses of two distressed local banks and transferred their deposits and selected assets to state-owned GCB Bank in order to protect financial stability, it said on Monday. The liquidation of UT Bank and Capital Bank became necessary in order to protect depositors funds owing to the “severe impairment” of their capital, the central …
Read More »15 selected for Africa’s award for young entrepreneurs
Fifteen young African entrepreneurs have emerged as finalists from a field of more than 800 applicants for the seventh annual Anzisha Prize, Africa’s premier award for her youngest entrepreneurs. Supported by African Leadership Academy (ALA) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the Anzisha Prize celebrates and cultivates the next generation of young African entrepreneurial leaders who are creating job opportunities, …
Read More »Kenyans ignore opposition leader’s call to strike over election dispute
Kenyans largely ignored an opposition call to go on strike on Monday, re-opening shops and returning to work as they shrugged off demands for demonstrations against President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election and against the killing of protesters. Cars, buses and motorcycles returned to the streets of the capital, Nairobi, and the western town of Kisumu after days of quiet due to …
Read More »Nigerian goes on trial for murder of German refugee worker
The Nigerian accused of killing Soopika P., a refugee aid worker, in the western German town of Ahaus on 11 February has gone on trial in the western city of Münster Prosecutors argue the asylum-seeker became possessive of the22-year-old victim after a brief affair. The 28-year-old defendant remained silent during his appearance in the Münster Regional Court on Monday. Prosecutors …
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