German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Algiers has been called off, with possible repercussions for Germany's deportation policy for Algerian asylum seekers and Germany is planning to check refugees' phones as a part of its crackdown on fake identities. This and more in today's news roundup.
Merkel's Algeria visit called off as Bouteflika falls ill: Chancellor Merkel's visit to Algeria has been called off because President Bouteflika is too sick to meet. The two-day trip was part of an effort to stem migration from North Africa in an election year in Germany. Click here to read more.
The Algerian dream of traveling to Europe: Berlin is under pressure to deport refugees from so-called "safe countries of origin" back to their homelands. But a country like Algeria has other challenges to overcome before it takes back its people. Click here to read more.
German migration office to check asylum seekers' phones in identity crackdown: Under a proposed law, Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) would be allowed to examine refugees' mobiles to establish their identity. The bill aims to prevent refugees from giving false identities. Click here to read more.
Migrants strom the border at Spain's Ceuta: Over 350 migrants have yet again stormed the fences at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Northern Africa.
Dutch far-right Wilders launches election campaign with attack on 'Moroccan scum': Freedom Party head Geert Wilders has pledged to crack down on "Moroccan scum" as he kicks off his election campaign. Wilders leads polls but would struggle to form a government, having been shunned by mainstream parties. Click here to read more.
Burundian refugees in Uganda too scared to go home: Burundi is campaigning for the return of its refugees from Ugandan camps. The government is afraid that opposition groups may be forming while in exile. But Burundi’s refugees are not about to return voluntarily. Click here to read more.
The Algerian dream of traveling to Europe: Berlin is under pressure to deport refugees from so-called "safe countries of origin" back to their homelands. But a country like Algeria has other challenges to overcome before it takes back its people. Click here to read more.
German migration office to check asylum seekers' phones in identity crackdown: Under a proposed law, Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) would be allowed to examine refugees' mobiles to establish their identity. The bill aims to prevent refugees from giving false identities. Click here to read more.
Migrants strom the border at Spain's Ceuta: Over 350 migrants have yet again stormed the fences at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in Northern Africa.
Over 350 migrants stormed the border at Spain's Ceuta, one of two EU locations to share a land border with Africa https://t.co/l9idvhjelx pic.twitter.com/jskhexHf8K
— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 20, 2017
Dutch far-right Wilders launches election campaign with attack on 'Moroccan scum': Freedom Party head Geert Wilders has pledged to crack down on "Moroccan scum" as he kicks off his election campaign. Wilders leads polls but would struggle to form a government, having been shunned by mainstream parties. Click here to read more.
Burundian refugees in Uganda too scared to go home: Burundi is campaigning for the return of its refugees from Ugandan camps. The government is afraid that opposition groups may be forming while in exile. But Burundi’s refugees are not about to return voluntarily. Click here to read more.