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Tag: Germany

  • 10 Countries Allowing Foreign Students to Bring Dependents

    10 Countries Allowing Foreign Students to Bring Dependents

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Some countries with renowned educational institutions recognize the importance of having loved ones nearby while studying. These countries have established dependent visa programs allowing foreign students to bring their family members along.

    Canada
    Canada is a top choice for students wanting to stay with their families while studying, despite the higher costs. The country’s immigration policies enable students to bring their spouses and children, with dependents allowed to work full-time under specific conditions. Required documents include visa applications, proof of relationship, acceptance letters, financial proof, language proficiency, medical exams, and police clearance. More information is available at [IRCC Canada](https://ircc.canada.ca).

    Finland
    Finland offers a D visa, providing 100 days of residency before obtaining a full residence permit. It’s easier for international students to bring their spouses after settling in. Applicants need financial stability to support dependents. For detailed information, visit [Finland](https://www.finland.fi).

    Germany
    Germany provides a family reunion visa, allowing dependents to reside temporarily or permanently. Dependents can also work in Germany. Requirements include the sponsor’s valid residence permit, adequate living space, health insurance, financial security, German language skills, and age declarations. More details can be found at [German Foreign Office](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/buergerservice/faq/09-familiennachzug-studenten/606700).

    Malta
    Malta is a popular English-speaking destination in Europe for international students. The country offers family visas for spouses, children, and other dependents. Eligibility criteria include relationship proof, financial stability, health insurance, and accommodation proof. More information is available at [Identity Malta](https://identita.gov.mt).

    Japan
    Japan allows foreign students to bring their spouses and children through a dependent visa. Applications can be made via overseas Japanese embassies or through a Certificate of Eligibility at an immigration bureau in Japan. It’s advisable to secure stable accommodation first. Visit [GRIPS](https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/education/students/visa_information/depend_visa/) for more information.

    Australia
    Australia permits most students to bring their immediate family members, including spouses and children under 18. Dependent partners may have unrestricted work rights, and children can attend school. Details can be found at [Study Australia](https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au).

    Austria
    Austria allows students to bring their family members by applying for residence permits and visas. Requirements include financial proof, being over 21 for married couples, and ensuring sufficient funds. More information is available at [Migration Austria](https://www.migration.gv.at/en/types-of-immigration/permanent-immigration/family-reunification/).

    China
    China offers S1 and S2 visas for family members of foreign residents. The S1 visa is for long-term stays and can be extended, while the S2 visa is for short-term visits. For more details, visit [China Embassy](http://ng.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/lsfw/zytz/201903/t20190301_7775770.htm).

    Denmark
    Denmark’s student dependent visa allows spouses and children under 18 to join international students. Although learning Danish is beneficial, English proficiency tests are not required. For more information, visit [New to Denmark](https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Applying/Familie/Medfoelgende%20familie).

    USA
    The United States offers F-2 visas for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of international students. It’s essential to check specific institutional requirements before applying. More details can be found at [US State Department](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html).

    Before making any applications, conduct thorough research on your chosen course, institution, and country. Consult with the respective country’s embassy to ensure compliance with all requirements and secure your stay with your family.

  • ECOWAS, Germany meet to advance discussions on effect of Climate change in sub-region

    ECOWAS, Germany meet to advance discussions on effect of Climate change in sub-region

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The ECOWAS Commission and the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) yesterday met in Abuja, Nigeria to advance research discussions on the effects of Climate change and renewable energy on the West African sub region.

    The Head of the Education Unit of Global Change and Climate Research, BMBF, Dr. Karsten Hess led a delegation on a working visit to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, on January 17, 2023 at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria.

    The ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray in his welcome address stated that the issue of climate change is vital for the region as its impact is another source of insecurity.

    He added that green transition and renewable energy is also fundamental for the achievement of economic growth and development for ECOWAS Member States.

    He thanked BMBF and WASCAL for their educational work on climate change in the region as over 600 students had been enrolled in various programmes.

    Meanwhile, Head of Delegation, Dr. Karsten Hass has invited the ECOWAS Commission to participate in the Ministerial Meeting scheduled for February 2023 in Germany to solidify partnerships and harness opportunities in climate change mitigation and green transition.

    Dr. Hess led delegation on the visit comprised of the WASCAL Executive Director, Dr. Moumini Savadogo, Head- German Aero Space Centre, WASCAL, Dr. Gabin Ananou, Board Member- WASCAL Nigeria, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba and others.

    The delegation praised the long-term relationship between Germany and the ECOWAS Commission and ppromised to strengthen collaboration in the areas of climate change, green transition and renewable energy.

  • Nigeria’s Flamingos Defeat Germany To Secure Bronze In FIFA U-17 WWC

    Nigeria’s Flamingos Defeat Germany To Secure Bronze In FIFA U-17 WWC

    Nigeria’s Flamingos have defeated Germany to clinch a consolatory bronze medal in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.

    The match ended in a 3-3 draw at a regulation time which resulted into a penalty shootout. The penalty then ended 3-2 in Nigeria’s favour.

    Famingos are the second African side to achieve this feat.

    In the first half, Nigeria’s forward, Opeyemi Ajakaye broke her goal drought with her brilliant opener for the Flamingos.

  • Liberian Elections: ECOWAS, Germany launch talks to foster peace, security, development

    Liberian Elections: ECOWAS, Germany launch talks to foster peace, security, development

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The ECOWAS , the Federal Republic of Germany and other international partners on Friday 21, October launched an 11-month dialogue exercise aimed at fostering peace, security, and development ahead of Liberia elections.

    The monthly national dialogues would center on carefully selected topics to be addressed by various international partners.

    In a keynote address, H.E. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, applauded the concept of the dialogue series as a pathway for consolidating peace in the country.

    Kemayah pledged the unwavering support of the Government of Liberia to ensure the conduct of free, fair, transparent, peaceful, credible and inclusive elections while maintaining international standard and best practice.

    H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, reiterated the critical role ECOWAS continues to play in conflict prevention, peace building, and security through various stakeholder engagements, and the implementation of protocols on good governance and security.

    “The overarching objective has been to foster political stability, socio-economic development and a realization of the dividends of democratic governance for the ECOWAS Community – that indeed is an ECOWAS of the people – a people centered approach to ECOWAS’s primary objectives.”

    She commended the government and the people of Liberia for their cooperation with ECOWAS , adding that it was a true attestation to the strong bond built over a difficult phase of Liberia’s journey towards peace, security, and development.

    “It is in the spirit of this bond that we will be sharing our joint experiences, reflections, and views from a regional perspective and contextualized within the Liberian socio-economic and political landscape.” Ambassador Nkrumah disclosed.

    His Excellency Dr. Jakob Haselhuber, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany pointed out that as the Liberian Presidential and Parliamentary elections approaches friends of the Liberian people will follow with great interest the developments in the run-up to the elections.

    Ambassador Haselhuber said, “we will stand by your side to further strengthen democracy and the rule of law in your beautiful country.”

    Professor T. Debey Sayndee Director, Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation, University of Liberia expressed appreciation to ECOWAS and partners for the bold and laudable step taken by to engage on issues of peace, security, and development for Liberia.

  • German Govt, WFP, UNICEF jointly launch €40m humanitarian support for 500,000 people in Borno , Yobe States

    German Govt, WFP, UNICEF jointly launch €40m humanitarian support for 500,000 people in Borno , Yobe States

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The German Government , WPF , UNICEF have jointly launched a resilience and essential support humanitarian services for over 500,000 people affected in conflict in the North East region of Nigeria.

    Accordingly the new humanitarian and development package which is a three year programme is aimed at enhancing peace, increasing livelihood opportunities such as providing education, health, nutrition, child protection, and sanitation support to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations in Borno and Yobe States.

    The package which is funded by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development through German Development Bank, KfW, children 0-23 months, pregnant women, school-age children, adolescent girls, female-headed households, and people with disability will be targeted under the Resilience and Social Cohesion project is to be implemented for three years by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF.

    The multi-year project will leverage ongoing humanitarian support in Bade Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State and Shani LGA of Borno State, while also providing multisectoral interventions to address drivers of conflict and fragility.

    Basically the project will support the strengthening of local governance structures to promote social cohesion through community-based processes and the capacity building of Government partners.

    According to UNICEF statement, the armed conflict which is in its thirteenth year in north-east Nigeria has devastated and levelled communities has destroyed livelihoods, and disrupted essential services for children and adults. Protracted insecurity, high food prices and COVID-19 lockdowns have put more than 4 million people in need of food assistance.

    The situation is further exacerbated by a severe impact of violence and unrest on family income, mental health, nutrition, education and other child protection concerns. Across the region, 1.14 million children are acutely malnourished at a scale not seen since 2018.

    The UNICEF Representative to Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said, “This is a pathway to peace and sustainable development.” ““Children and other vulnerable groups will have a lifeline, and an opportunity to survive and thrive in communities where livelihood and peace building activities are present. ”

    “Conflict in any region is potential instability in the rest of the world. UNICEF is grateful to the German Government for supporting pathways to child survival and peace in north-east Nigeria”, Hawkins said.

    The Resilience and Social Cohesion programme will focus and contribute to seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty eradication, zero hunger, access to quality education, gender equality, good health and wellbeing, climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions as well as partnership for goals.

    The new programme which will focus on peace building, governance capacity strengthening, sustainable livelihood creation, restoration of infrastructures, and provision of life-saving services to 156,888 direct beneficiaries and 362,307 indirect beneficiaries in both LGAs.

    Deputy Country Director and Officer in Charge of World Food Programme, WFP, in Nigeria, Ma Simone Parchment said ,“WFP welcomes this timely and generous support from the Government and people of Germany. This project will support people and communities facing the peril of conflict and hunger in northeast Nigeria, especially in Borno and Yobe states”.

    Parchment noted,“In these affected states, persistent conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and reduced household purchasing power undermine people’s ability to feed themselves and sustain their livelihoods. This contribution from the Government of Germany will go a long way in building resilience, social cohesion and peace in the affected communities. ”

  • Germany will beat England again on penalty kicks, Moeller says

    Germany will beat England again on penalty kicks, Moeller says

    Andreas Moeller, who scored the winning penalty kick against England in the semi-finals of Euro 96, says Germany will beat England on Tuesday in their Euro 2020 last 16 clash.

    “It will again go to penalty kicks. And, we will win again,” the 53-year-old said on Monday.

    Moeller scored the sudden death shoot-out winner after current England coach Gareth Southgate had his effort saved by current Germany goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke.

    Germany went on to lift the trophy in 1996 and Moeller’s then-teammate, Markus Babbel, also thinks history will repeat itself.

    Alan Shearer gave England an early lead that day with Stefan Kuntz equalising.

    Babbel said: “My bet is 1-1 after extra-time, and then we triumph on penalty kicks.”

    Tuesday’s game is again at Wembley, although the stadium has been completely rebuilt since.

    The last game at the old Wembley in 2000 saw Germany beat England 1-0 in their last competitive visit to London in a World Cup qualifier.

  • Germany beats Portugal 4-2 at Euro 2020

    Germany beats Portugal 4-2 at Euro 2020

    Germany Beats Portugal 4-2 in Group F at Euro 2020 on Saturday to revive their hopes of reaching the last 16 and leave the reigning champions in danger of crashing out.

    Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead in Munich but own goals from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro gave Germany the advantage before Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens struck in the second half to make it 4-1.

    Diogo Jota pulled a goal back for Portugal, who are level on three points with Germany and a point behind leaders France. Portugal face France in their final game while Germany take on bottom side Hungary.

  • AstraZeneca: Vaccination suffers setback as more countries halt exercise

    AstraZeneca: Vaccination suffers setback as more countries halt exercise

    A dozen countries, including France, Italy and Germany, have suspended AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 shots because of fears over blood clots and other possible side effects.

    Ahead of Tuesday’s World Health Organization experts meeting, the company has insisted there is no risk and the WHO has said countries should continue to use the vaccine.

    Here is a recap:

    – Nordic countries sound alarm –
    Denmark is the first country on March 11 to say it will suspend use of the AstraZeneca vaccine as a precautionary measure over fears of blood clots in vaccinated people.

    Iceland and Norway follow the same day, temporarily suspending use.

    On Monday, a health worker in Norway dies of a brain haemorrhage after receiving the vaccine, though no direct link to the jab has been established, health authorities say.

    It is the second such fatality within a few days in the country.

    – List grows –
    On Friday, Bulgaria suspends the use of the vaccine as it investigates the death of a woman with several underlying conditions who recently received the jab.

    An initial probe had suggested the woman died from heart failure and an autopsy found no link with the vaccination.

    Thailand abruptly delays the start of its rollout of the vaccine, stopping Premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha from getting the first jab.

    And the Democratic Republic of Congo, also due to start administering the vaccine, postpones its campaign citing “precautionary measures”.

    Ireland and the Netherlands join the list Sunday, followed by Indonesia and then Germany, Italy, France, Slovenia, Spain and Latvia on Monday.

    Announcing its decision, the German health ministry says a closer look is necessary after the reported blood clotting incidents in Europe.

    Late Monday, Venezuela’s vice-president also said the country would not approve the vaccine for use, citing “complications” those inoculated had experienced.

    – Suspending batches –
    The first suspension of a batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine is announced by Austria on March 8, following the death of a 49-year-old nurse from “severe bleeding disorders” days after receiving it.

    Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Luxembourg also suspend the use of doses from the same batch, which has been delivered to 17 countries and included one million vaccines.

    Italy’s medicines regulator on March 11 also bans the use of a batch as a precaution, triggering a similar decision from Romania.

    And on March 14, Italy’s northern Piedmont region suspends use of the vaccine after the death of a teacher who had received it the day before, with a national postponement coming a day later.

  • Putin, Merkel discuss joint vaccine production

    Putin, Merkel discuss joint vaccine production

    Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed the possibility of jointly producing coronavirus vaccines in a phone call, the Kremlin said Tuesday.

    “Issues of cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic were discussed with an emphasis on the possible prospects for joint production of vaccines,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

    The Kremlin added that an agreement was reached to “continue contacts on the issue” between the two countries’ health ministries and specialised agencies.

    The two leaders also discussed the settlement of the conflict between Kiev and pro-Russian separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, that has largely remained at a standstill since peace accords were signed in 2015.

    Both Russia and Germany have recently started mass vaccination drives at home to curb the spread of the coronavirus and avoid reimposing nationwide lockdowns.

    While Germany is using the vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and the Mainz-based company BioNtech, Russia has put into mass circulation its homemade jab — Sputnik V.

    Russia announced the registration of Sputnik — named after the Soviet-era satellite — in August, before the start of large-scale clinical trials, raising concerns over the fast-tracked procedure.

    Some critics have described it as a tool to bolster Russia’s geopolitical influence.

    Russia started a mass vaccination drive in early December, making the jab first available to high-risk groups including medics, teachers and the elderly.

    Alexander Gintsburg, the director of the state-run Gamaleya research centre that developed Sputnik, on Tuesday said that over 1 million people in Russia have received the jab so far.

    Moscow also sent batches of its vaccine to Belarus, Serbia and Argentina and announced that 2.6 million doses will be supplied to Bolivia but acknowledged that it was struggling with production capacity.

    In another sign of recognition for the Sputnik jab that has been viewed with scepticism by the West, British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca in December announced a clinical trial programme that would use a combination of its vaccine and the Russian one.

    Both use the adenovirus vectors, although it remains unclear when these tests will go ahead.

  • Hudson-Odoi urges Bayern wonderkid Musiala to pick Three Lions over Germany

    Hudson-Odoi urges Bayern wonderkid Musiala to pick Three Lions over Germany

    Callum Hudson-Odoi is trying to sway Jamal Musiala to choose England over Germany after the pair lined up together again with England’s Under-21 team.

    The Chelsea forward both played and went to school with Musiala while he was in the Blues academy before he made the switch to join Bayern Munich in 2019.

    Musiala was born in the German city of Stuttgart but grew up in England, making him eligible for the two countries. His father also holds a Nigerian passport so he is also able to play for the Super Eagles if he so chooses.

    But  even the DFB (German Football Association) concede that England are most likely to convince the wonderkid to play for them  after seeing him debut and score for Aidy Boothroyd’s side over the international break.

    Still, Musiala can change his mind until he makes his senior debut in a competitive match for any country, and Hudson-Odoi has offered his opinion to his fellow young star.

    “We talked about it. I said he should be staying with England,” Hudson-Odoi said after the pair both scored in the 5-0 win over Albania. “He knows a lot of the boys already and has been really welcomed into the team.

    “I said to him, ‘I can’t choose for you but it would be nice if you stayed with England.’ Hopefully he gets to the seniors as quickly as possible.”

    The excitement over Musiala’s talent is highlighted by two records broken at Bayern, with the 17-year-old having becoming the club’s youngest Bundesliga appearance-maker and goalscorer in recent months.

    After signing Musiala, Bayern have had several attempts to sign Hudson-Odoi rejected by Chelsea. Hudson-Odoi spoke of being reunited with Musiala for his country after the clubs failed to do business in the summer once again.

    “Jamal is a top, top player. I have known him from young, when he was at Chelsea,” he continued. “He is a great player and I’ve watched him for a while. He went to the same school as me as well.

    “On day one, I wanted to welcome him to the U21s as soon as possible. He is a good guy, very shy, and before the game I wanted to see he was feeling himself and confident and not scared or shy. I said, ‘Play your own game and get a goal for yourself,’ which he did.

    “I was really happy for him. I have always said to him, ‘Keep doing your thing day in, day out, and you will get to the seniors sooner rather than later.’

    “Wherever he is I will be watching him and seeing he is doing himself proud.”

    England eased to qualification for next year’s U21 European Championships with two victories over the international break to ensure they reached 28 points from a possible 30 in their qualification group.