Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American legislator has officially been sworn into office on Tuesday, 3 January. Ms Omar, who wears the hijab, the head gear for Muslim women, made history by winning in a State House of Representatives race to serve the people of Minnesota last November. She stood on the ticket of the Democratic Farmer Labour (DFL) – affiliated …

The trial has begun in Paris of the son of Equatorial Guinea’s president, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is accused of using money plundered from his native country to buy lavish properties, cars and other goods in France. It’s the first case to come to court, of several being investigated by French authorities into allegedly illegal acquisitions by African leaders …

Lucidly written, its precepts are very inspiring, writes Femi Awoniyi in his review of Germany-based Achille Nguemnang’s motivational book. Divided into short chapters and focused on particular themes, the book Between You and Your Purpose contains wisdom keys to overcome the hurdles between you and your goal – be it career, personal, whatever goal you have set for yourself. Being …

The northern German city of Braunschweig has launched a special commission to investigate more than 300 cases of welfare fraud by asylum seekers. One fraudster is believed to have used as many as 12 different identities. Regional German broadcaster NDR reported on New Year day that the majority of more than 300 cases of welfare fraud in the northern city …

Antonio Guterres replaced Ban Ki-moon as UN Secretary-General on New Year day. In his first address to the international community, Guterres, a former prime minister of Portugal, pledged to make 2017 a year to “put peace first.” The ninth UN chief, 67, said in a message that he would be working to resolve wars and other violent conflicts in countries …

For many the current position of Britain’s Black population is one that is mired between achievement and marginalisation, reports Alasdair Soussi Glasgow, United Kingdom – They are one of Britain’s most dynamic and enduring communities whose presence in the UK dates back hundreds of years. From serving Britain with distinction in the first and second world wars to their modern-day …

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has warned that any troop deployment by ECOWAS members would constitute “a declaration of war”. In a New Year’s message broadcast on Saturday, Jammeh said the “blatant and one-sided” approach of the regional body, “disqualified it from providing mediation services”. “Let me make very clear, we are ready to defend this country against any aggression,” Jammeh …

The installations she creates today using materials such as cloth, beads, wood, cement and resin are a departure from her early technically skilled paintings.

Agreement reached by Congolese political parties aims to have transitional government in place by March. President Joseph Kabila will step down as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo after elections held before the end of 2017, under a draft agreement reached by political parties, according to a lead mediator from the Catholic Church. Under the deal, reached on New …

In her New Year’s speech, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on citizens to go into 2017 with optimism and defy terrorism. But to guarantee “security in freedom,” she said new security measures may be necessary. With Germany still reeling from the deadly Berlin truck attack, Angela Merkel has used her annual New Year’s message to insist the country and …