TheNewsGuru

Tag: Germany

  • Humanitarian situation in Afghanistan deteriorating, aid groups warn

    Humanitarian situation in Afghanistan deteriorating, aid groups warn

    Aid organisations are warning of a dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan in the coming winter.

    “The harsh Afghan winter is weeks away when families will be forced to make the impossible choice between heating their homes and feeding their children,’’ the United Nations World Food Programme said on online platform X on Tuesday.

    Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Germany, Corina Pfitzner emphasise that the situation in the country is already a catastrophic

    According to UN figures, more than 29 million of the country’s 40 million people are currently dependent on humanitarian aid, .

    Pfitzner  in addition added that, many people were still without shelter after the series of earthquakes in western Afghanistan,.

    The coming winter will also make medical care in the country more difficult, as many regions will soon be barely accessible for mobile health teams due to snowfall.

    After decades of conflict, Afghanistan lacks basic infrastructure in many places. “These systems have to be built now,’’ says Pfitzner.

    “We look to the coming period with great concern,’’ Florian Westphal of Save the Children told dpa.

    Since the announced mass deportation of unregistered Afghan refugees in neighbouring Pakistan, hundreds of families are currently returning to Afghanistan every day but often without knowing where they will find accommodation, he said.

    However, for many, the only option is to stay in tents at the border, in spite of falling temperatures

     

  • Tinubu seeks Germany’s support to combat terrorism

    Tinubu seeks Germany’s support to combat terrorism

    President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday solicited the support of German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, in combating terrorism in Nigeria.

    Tinubu made the request at a bilateral meeting with the German Chancellor at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday.

    “We are fighting terrorism and that is improving. We still need more support in that area. And for us to be able to sustain democracy, rule of law and freedom for our people, we need to fight for democracy.

    “And democracy must win at all times for us to meet the expectation of an African dream. That is why your visit this time around is more than necessary.

    “You will have noticed, I don’t need to go about the various problems happening in the Sahel region of Africa. You’ve seen and noticed the coup in Guinea and recently in Niger Republic.

    “We have people diplomatically managing the situation. The need for you to help on security will be emphasised and we will continue to require your knowledge.

    “We thank you for the past contributions, particularly on police, law enforcement training. We need more help. And we’ll discuss further today.”

    The president said following the supreme court judgment validating his election, his administration would focus on good governance to move the country forward.

    He said his administration was determined to change the narrative and bring about a transformative government in the country.

    “It is just about a few days ago that the Nigerian Supreme Court had a final say on our electoral exercise.

    “The distraction is over. This gives us more time to focus on governance for the people and moving Nigeria forward for economic opportunities and prosperity that will defend democracy.

    “Our economic team and members of the group are all here ready to partner with you, with Germany as the largest economy in Europe.

    “And the largest economy in Africa is Nigeria, so we are blessed with good environment, weather and blessed in terms of mineral resources.

    “Our hydrocarbon industry is still fledging environmentally while we are moving towards the transition energy source.

    “I know Germany has advanced a lot in protecting the environment and modernising energy to meet the 21st century needs both of the world and Europe in particular.”

    On his part, Scholz expressed the commitment of Germany to democracy and the rule of law.

    “And it is important for us to make this a lifestyle for countries. It is good for a better future for our people. And so I’m very happy that we can work on this discussion.

    “We will examine how we can continue to support you in doing the best and having this insecurity questions in your country as well.

    “We will go into details later, but I can assure you that we will continue our support and our cooperation in this field.”

    He said one of the main aspects for cooperation between the two countries would be developing the economy and using the economic opportunities of Nigeria.

    “As you already said, there are a lot of chances not just from gas and oil, which is traditionally linked to your country.

    “But there’s a lot of room for improvement, using the capacities of your country, but also for going into investments for the future, which is about hydrogen.”

  • We need talents from Nigeria – Germany

    We need talents from Nigeria – Germany

    Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz has disclosed there is a need in his country for people who have talents and who want to work there in a way that is a regular path for migrants.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Scholz made this disclosure when he was received along with his entourage by President Bola Tinubu in the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Sunday.

    The German Chancellor was reacting alleged refusal by the FG to retrieve over 12,000 Nigerians, who were unable to make Germany’s asylum provision and were at risk of deportation when he made the disclosure.

    Responding to the migration question, Scholz said the debate was on and that very soon, the grey areas would be addressed.

    “The first is yes, there is a need, in Germany, for people that have talent and that want to work in our country in a way which is a regular path for migrants.

    “We are working intensely in this field and we want to get (make) more progress and get things agreed in detail.

    “The second part of this is also an agreement that those who do not have the right to stay in my country can go back and should go back.

    “But this is where cooperation is also important; we will do so and it will be an important aspect of our work together,” Scholz said.

    Meanwhile, President Tinubu, speaking on the retrieval of the Nigerians, who were unable to make Germany’s asylum provision, disclosed that both countries were working on regularising the stay of those who were economic refugees.

    Tinubu said there was a very deep discussion in this direction, urging the separation of economic refugees from real refugees.

    “We have a programme, to work in partnership, to really ensure normal migration and deepen the relationship in that area.

    “I’m not making any demands; if they are Nigerian citizens, they are Nigerian citizens and they are welcome back home.

    “Nothing should send them away; we are ready to enter into a partnership to improve the migration situation.

    “Since other young and vibrant people can go through the process according to the immigration law of the country, to accept them as long as they are of good behaviour and good character.

    “We are ready to work together in that direction,” Tinubu said.

    Tinubu assures German Chancellor of conducive business environment

    Meanwhile, President Tinubu has said his administration is working assiduously to reform the nation’s economic and business environment to promote efficiency.

    Tinubu said this on Sunday during a bilateral meeting with Scholz and his entourage, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    TNG reports Tinubu and the chancellor engaged in three separate meetings before addressing a joint press briefing.

    According to the Nigerian leader, the country has a very high deposit of gas availability, stressing that the investment environment as well as liquid natural gas is improving.

    Tinubu said his administration had improved the nation’s business environment, saying, “we are going through several reforms.”

    He also said that Nigeria was ready to encourage investment in gas pipelines and that the LNG would facilitate the shipment of liquefied gas to Europe.

    According to him, the government  will continue to promote the opportunity for the growth of businesses and their partners.

    Tinubu said, “We are reforming our economic and business environment to promote efficiency. You might have read or been aware that we have removed oil subsidy.

    “We’re going through tax reforms to eliminate double taxation and give you better returns on investments.”

    According to the president, there are principles that will ensure that investment grows well and is protected.

    He added, “We definitely welcome you to the collaboration; we’re happy this is happening to us.

    “I believe that my friend will add more to the value of Nigeria’s environment; we have discussed that.

    “I’ve made a commitment to you that we’ll promote efficiency, ease of doing business and remove all conflict areas that might be possible immediately.”

    Nigeria’s infrastructure challenge not just about roads, railways – German Chancellor

    Meanwhile, the German Chancellor said Nigeria’s infrastructure challenge was not just about roads and railways.

    The German chancellor regretted that minerals were ‘just about extraction’ as they ended up in other countries rather than for Nigeria’s development.

    “It is also important that we use the way of developing your economy in the fields of the minerals you have. I think that the investments into this structure must be easy but also beneficial for your country.

    “It is something that bothered me a lot in the past that, sometimes, it is just about extraction which is not enough. There should be one bit more for making it feasible that some parts of the economic development can be used in the countries of origin.

    “This is not the case today in our world but, if we change this a little bit, it will change a lot and work on this field is also important for us,” he said.

    According to Scholz, a lot of investments have to be taken, adding, ”looking at infrastructure; it’s not just about roads and railways.

    “It is also about electricity, the infrastructure using the grid, making it feasible that all the produced energy or the power that is already there could go to the people.

    “Finding a way how we can develop the economy in this field will also be important.”

  • Jews in Berlin ‘no longer feel safe’ following attacks

    Jews in Berlin ‘no longer feel safe’ following attacks

    The leader of the Jewish Community in Berlin has called for solidarity from other residents following an attempted arson attack on a synagogue in the German capital on Wednesday.

    “Eighty-five years after Kristallnacht, synagogues are to burn again in Germany’s capital.

    “Anti-Jewish violence on the streets of Berlin has reached a new dimension,” Gideon Joffe, the chairman of the Jewish Community of Berlin, said referring to the 1938 pogrom organised by the Nazis.

    He said security measures at Jewish institutions in Berlin and across Germany had rightly been increased and probably prevented worse violence.

    “But Jews in our city, despite everything, no longer feel safe,” Joffe explained.

    The rise in Islamist violence aimed at Jews is frightening, he said.

    “Here it is now also up to civil society to show solidarity with the Jewish community,” Joffe said.

  • EURO 2024: Nine countries book qualification spots (Full list)

    EURO 2024: Nine countries book qualification spots (Full list)

    Nine European countries book their spots at next year’s Euro 2024 football competiton to be hosted by Germany.

    Host nation Germany automatically qualified for the competition slated for the summer of 2024.

    They have been joined by Austria, Turkey, Belgium, Scotland, as well as France, Spain and Portugal.

    England also qualified after defeating Italy 3-1 on Tuesday night.

    24 teams will play in six groups of four and the top two will qualify automatically for the last 16.

    The top four third-placed countries will also go through.

    Italy are the reigning champions after overcoming England in the summer of 2021.

    However,  England snatched qualification off Itali after a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday night after Harry Kane’s double and Rashford Goal. Italy’s  only goal was scored by Scammaca in the 15th minute.

  • Poland opposes Germany on permanent UN Security Council seat

    Poland opposes Germany on permanent UN Security Council seat

    Poland has opposed Germany gaining a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Thursday.

    The proposal, made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is “rather strange and a great disappointment” from Poland’s point of view,  according to Blaszczak.

    Kiev seems to have forgotten that Germany did not initially come to Ukraine’s aid at the beginning of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, he said.

    Blaszczak said that Germany should first take responsibility in its relationship with Poland for the destruction caused during the World War II.

    “The demand for war reparations that we made to Germany is still valid,” Blaszczak said.

    Zelensky spoke out in favour of a permanent seat on the UN Security Council for Germany on Wednesday.

    There are 193 UN member-states.

    Five countries – the U.S., China, Russia, Britain and France – have permanent seats on the security council and can veto all decisions.

    There are then 10 non-permanent members elected to two-year terms.

    In October 2022, Poland’s national conservative PiS Government demanded Berlin to pay 1.3 trillion euros (1.38 trillion U.S. dollars) in World War II reparations in a diplomatic note.

    However, Germany rejects any demands for reparations.

    It considers the case closed due to the 1990 Two Plus Four Treaty, which regulated the foreign policy aspects of German unity.

  • Germany threatens Niger coup plotters

    Germany threatens Niger coup plotters

    The German government has issued a strong warning to Niger coup plotters not to commit acts of violence against the detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

    A spokesman for the Foreign Office made it clear in Berlin on Monday that they were worried about the politician.

    “I would like to emphasise once again at this point our message to the coup plotters that they must expect harsh personal consequences should anything happen to the democratically elected President Bazoum and his family,’’ the spokesman said.

    “We would perceive that as an escalation, so would our African partners.’’

    The foreign office spokesman said sanctions and also national or international prosecution are possible steps to be taken if violence act is taken against the detained president.

    Furthermore, the German government hopes that the coup plotters will respond to mediation efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Earlier, an ultimatum issued by ECOWAS to the military junta that has ruled Niger since a coup d’état at the end of July expi

  • W/World Cup: Germany crash out after draw with Korea Republic

    W/World Cup: Germany crash out after draw with Korea Republic

    Germany were sent crashing out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following a frustrating 1-1 draw with Korea Republic in Brisbane on Thursday.

    The Taeguk Ladies took the lead after just six minutes through Sohyun Cho, only for Alex Popp to level late in the first half.

    Very shortly after, though, Morocco took the lead in their game against Colombia.

    This meant Germany needed to find a goal which never came – therefore condemning the Europeans to a first-ever group-stage exit.

    Korea Republic came flying out of the traps and almost took the lead in the opening minutes.

    This was when Casey Phair was sent through, but she saw her effort turned on to the post by Merle Frohms.

    Die Nationalelf didn’t heed that warning, though, and just minutes later,  Cho was put clear via a defence-splitting pass from Youngju Lee and made no mistake in finding the bottom-left corner.

    Germany, knowing they were heading home as it stood, were dragged level late in the first half by inspirational captain Popp.

    This was after she rose highest from a deep Svenja Huth centre to nod a textbook header beyond Jungmi Kim.

    While that goal temporarily had Germany going through, an even later first-half strike for Morocco against Colombia sent them back down into third and needing another goal to advance.

    Popp thought she had found it just after the break but saw her brave header ruled out for offside, before she sent another one crashing off the bar moments later.

    Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side continued to press, but neither they nor Colombia could find the net, as group-stage elimination was confirmed for the two-time world champions.

  • World War II bomb safely detonated in Germany

    World War II bomb safely detonated in Germany

    A World War II bomb found in Hamburg’s Schanzenviertel District has been defused.

    Police announced on Twitter early on Tuesday that the area, a shopping district popular with tourists, was safe again.

    Two partial detonations were necessary for the defusing.

    “The second partial blast was successful. The bomb has been defused. Measures are now being successively scaled back. We wish you a good night,” police tweeted.

    According to the fire brigade, about 5,000 people within a radius of 300 metres around the site were evacuated.

    The airspace above the site of the discovery was closed, and several sub-urban train stations were temporarily shut.

    An emergency shelter was set up in the nearby district of St. Pauli.

    The bomb, dropped by the British Air Force in the 1940s, was found during construction work near the Sternschanze light rail station.

    Residents on the perimeter of the evacuated area were advised to avoid windows and stay in rooms facing away from the site.

    This was the second unexploded World War II bomb found in Hamburg within two weeks.

    Earlier this month, a British bomb was discovered in Wilhelmsburg during excavation work.

  • Japa: Germany passes new law to attract migrant workers

    Japa: Germany passes new law to attract migrant workers

    While other countries are trying to restrict migration, the German parliament has passed a  new law to attract migrant workers to Germany.

    That means less red tape and lower hurdles for migrant workers from outside the European Union.

    A Canada-style points-based system will take into account age, skills, qualifications and any link to Germany.

    Criteria will be lowered for salary, educational level and German language ability.

    This would make it easier for migrants to come to Germany with, or even without, a job offer. Incentives include being able to bring not only spouse and children, but also parents.

    This is a major shift in policy for Germany. For decades German governments have resisted the idea that Germany is a country of migration.

    The first generation of so-called “guest workers” from Turkey in the 1960s were seen as exactly that: “guests” who were supposed to help the economy and then leave.

    Conservative-led governments in particular, including Angela Merkel’s administration, struggled with the idea of a society open to migrant workers – despite the fact German society is increasingly diverse. More than a quarter of the population in Germany is either foreign-born or has at least one foreign-born parent.

    After years of low unemployment German business leaders are sounding the alarm about the lack of workers. The problem is exacerbated by an ageing population: baby-boomers born in the 1960s will soon start heading for retirement.

    Ministers warn that millions of job vacancies already need filling, and describe the labour shortage as the biggest risk facing the German economy.

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz delivers a government statement at the German parliament
    IMAGE SOURCE,EPA
    When Olaf Scholz’s centre-left Social Democrat SPD party beat Mrs Merkel’s conservatives in 2021, the new SPD-Green-liberal coalition made easing migration rules one of its flagship policies.

    This coalition has been plagued by rows between the Greens and the business-friendly liberals over climate change policies. But both parties do agree on migration: the liberals want workers for the economy; the Greens more human rights in migration policy.

    Germany to ease entry rules for skilled workers But Friday’s parliamentary debate about the law was ferocious. Conservatives voted against the bill, outraged that the new law would allow some rejected asylum seekers already here to find work.

    The far-right AfD also voted no, saying that Germany was not a country of “immigration” but rather a “homeland”, reflecting the party’s increasingly nativist view of what it means to be German.

    The AfD does not reflect mainstream society’s view that Germany needs migrant workers. But despite this, or maybe because of it, the party is reaching unprecedented numbers in the polls.

    In the latest ARD Deutschland Trend, the party reached 19% this week, the highest it has ever scored in this poll. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD party has slumped to 17%.

    According to British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the political climate in Germany is polarised and febrile when it comes to migration. The government wants it, the economy needs it and parliament has now voted for it. But will all voters accept it?