Germany has suspended admissions of refugees via a UN resettlement programme, the interior ministry said on Tuesday, as a new coalition government that is expected to tighten immigration rules prepares to take office.
Migration has been a contentious issue in coalition negotiations between Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats, which are expected to conclude within weeks.
The conservatives are advocating a stricter approach to asylum seekers in response to rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and several violent incidents involving refugees.
The two sides have struck a preliminary agreement to end voluntary federal admission programmes for refugees such as the U.N. programme - the only one currently active - and not to launch any new ones, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Germany has participated since 2016 in a European Union resettlement scheme that accepts refugees selected by the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR. Most come from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan or Kenya, or from Libya via Rwanda.
The ministry said 4,711 people had arrived in Germany through the programme since 2024, out of the 13,000 refugees that Germany has promised the European Commission it will take in for 2024 and 2025 combined.
Despite the suspension, admissions that are already well advanced, with concrete commitments, will go ahead, a ministry spokesperson said.
Iranian missile attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain failed after missiles were intercepted, fell short or broke apart, according to CENTCOM. U.S. and Bahrai...
Russian drones and missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities early on Tuesday, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 10...
A Kenyan court on Tuesday blocked the construction and planned operation of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility for an additional 3 weeks, escala...
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as anger ...
Singer Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man accused of stalking her and attempting to force entry into her C...
Iranian missile attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain failed after missiles were intercepted, fell short or broke apart, according to CENTCOM. U.S. and Bahraini forces downed multiple missiles and drones, while U.S. forces struck Qeshm Island in response.
A Kenyan court on Tuesday blocked the construction and planned operation of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility for an additional 3 weeks, escalating a legal and political dispute that has sparked deadly protests and public anger.
Singer Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man accused of stalking her and attempting to force entry into her California home, according to court documents.
China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, has met Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, in Islamabad to discuss the China-facilitated Urumqi Process and regional security concerns.
Okinawa lost transport links and suffered widespread power outages on Monday (1 June) as Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi brought destructive winds and heavy rain to Japan's south-western islands.
Competing narratives continue to shape perceptions of the war in Ukraine, with Russian leadership suggesting a possible end phase while Ukrainian officials warn of renewed large-scale attacks and ongoing escalation risks.
Dutch police have launched an investigation into the use of force against a pregnant woman at an asylum seekers' centre in Zeist after videos of the incident circulated widely on social media.
When Armenians vote on 7 June, they will be voting in an election shaped by months of political change and a rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union. The result may not only determine who governs Armenia but also the future direction of the country's geopolitical alignment.
Unsealed records from the U.S. Department of Justice have renewed scrutiny of lawyer Robert Amsterdam after documents revealed communications between his law firm and Jeffrey Epstein's office. The disclosures have drawn attention because of Amsterdam's prominent role in Armenia.
Russian drones and missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities early on Tuesday, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 100, authorities said, following days of warnings about Moscow's plans for a major assault.
A Kenyan court on Tuesday blocked the construction and planned operation of a U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility for an additional 3 weeks, escalating a legal and political dispute that has sparked deadly protests and public anger.
Police officers were pelted with missiles during violent clashes at a protest near the Southampton home of convicted murderer Vickrum Digwa, as anger continued to grow over the handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Sweden should introduce a minimum age of 15 for social media use, a government-appointed commission recommended on Tuesday (2 June), adding to a growing movement across Europe to restrict children's access to digital platforms.
British police are facing a national backlash over their handling of the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, who was handcuffed while dying from stab wounds after his attacker falsely claimed to be the victim of a racist assault.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment