Author: RACHAEL ADEEGBE
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended gratitude to Albania for endorsing a contentious migration agreement. The accord is designed to redirect asylum seekers crossing the Mediterranean to processing centers in Albania. The agreement garnered approval from Albania’s parliament on Thursday, securing 77 votes in favor out of 140 MPs. Despite support from Albania’s Socialist Party majority and three opposition MPs, the Democratic Party led opposition expressed concerns about potential compromises on Albanian sovereignty. Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the agreement through social media, emphasizing that no country can solve such a challenge alone. He portrayed Albania’s cooperation as demonstrating the…
A recent study conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) sheds light on Germany’s ongoing attractiveness to skilled foreign workers, despite growing reports of discrimination. The study, which tracked the intentions of over 30,000 highly qualified individuals considering relocating to Germany for work since August 2022, uncovered some intriguing findings. Despite concerns about discrimination, a remarkable 92% of respondents residing abroad expressed sustained interest in migrating to Germany, with their enthusiasm showing signs of growth over time. However, for those who have already made the move, the reality paints a different picture. According to Thomas Liebig of…
One year has passed since the tragic Cutro migrant vessel incident, and Firas El-Ghazi, a 41-year-old Cutro survivor, still grapples with the harrowing memories of February 26, 2023. That day, his six-year-old grandson, Sultan, lost his life onboard the ship due to the freezing temperatures. For Firas, the Cutro survivor, time seems to have frozen at that moment of loss. He admits, “I don’t know if I will ever be able to erase the suffering I witnessed. It haunts me in my dreams every single night.” His grief is palpable, as he recounts the events that unfolded on that fateful…
International Medical Aid Group, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) released a scathing report on Tuesday condemning European Union migration policies. The report argues EU deterrence tactics have normalized violence against migrants while denying them basic rights and humanitarian protection. Citing cases from its 20,000+ medical consultations with refugees in 2023, MSF contended EU cooperation with external countries actively obstructs and returns vulnerable asylum seekers. MSF staff have witnessed detainment conditions and refugee treatment in nations like Libya, Niger and Serbia that amount to torture, sexual abuse, and systemic medical neglect. The report highlights the EU’s robust support for the Libyan Coast…
Over 30 years since German reunification, a phantom border separating the former East and West still persists in surprising ways, according to recent research by Paul Krantz . Visualized maps show divides across areas from wealth and car preferences to sports participation. The analysis identified lingering demographic differences tied to decades living under divergent political and economic systems. For example, eastern states like Saxony continue lagging behind western regions in average salaries by about €13,000 annually. Beyond income, maps depict preference gaps like more organ donations and tennis courts in the west versus higher Olympic medals and certain car brand…
Germany’s parliament voted Friday to approve legislation legalizing recreational cannabis use, a groundbreaking move that will make it one of Europe’s most permissive countries on marijuana. The new law, passed by a majority 407-226 vote, permits adults to possess and grow limited amounts of cannabis for personal consumption starting as early as April 2024. Specifically, Germans over 18 can possess up to 25 grams in public and 50 grams privately, and cultivate up to 3 plants. Commercial production and sales remain prohibited initially. Instead, the legislation allows for strictly regulated distribution through cannabis “clubs” with no advertising and a 500-member…
A migrant boat carrying over 30 people capsized Friday during a maritime rescue operation off the coast of Malta, resulting in 5 confirmed deaths and 8 hospitalizations so far. The vessel sank while undergoing transfer of occupants onto a Maltese patrol ship dispatched to retrieve passengers in distress. According to Malta’s armed forces, the inflatable dinghy held at least 34 migrants when it overturned within an offshore fish farm area located about 3.5 nautical miles from the country’s southern shores. Those on board were reportedly from Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Syria originally. Authorities believe the migrant boat embarked from Tripoli,…
An Asylum seeker was sentenced to over 9 years imprisonment on Friday for manslaughter and facilitating illegal entry into the UK over the drowning deaths of 4 migrants last December. He piloted an overcrowded, unseaworthy dinghy that sank while crossing the English Channel from France. Ibrahima Bah, the Asylum seeker believed to be over 18, was convicted by a jury on 4 counts of manslaughter and one charge of aiding unlawful migration. Prosecutors stated he owed passengers a duty of care as the unpaid pilot of the dangerously overloaded inflatable boat carrying at least 43 people. The boat embarked from…
Serbian authorities have refuted allegations that over 70 migrants were violently forced back into North Macedonia by Serbian border police earlier this month. A North Macedonian NGO released video of barely clothed men allegedly pushed back, but Serbia claims no evidence shows events occurred on its territory. The Skopje-based Legis NGO posted video on February 15th depicting multiple barefoot male migrants wearing only underwear on a road at night. Legis reported the footage was filmed between the Serbia-North Macedonia border and Lojane village, where over 70 migrants arrived February 9th after alleged police abuse. Jasmin Redjepi, Legis President, condemned the…
The UK has secured a new agreement with the European Union’s border agency, Frontex, allowing British authorities access to EU intelligence concerning criminal groups involved in human trafficking operations. The deal aims to improve information sharing and coordination on curbing irregular migration across the English Channel. UK and EU officials will formally sign the pact in London on Friday, February 24th. While financial details were undisclosed, the British Home Office confirmed the UK will not provide any direct payments to the EU under the terms of the agreement. The pact aims to enhance cooperation between the UK and EU, facilitating…