Foreign
EU Court Orders Malta to End “Golden Passport” Scheme
The European Union High Court has ruled against Malta’s controversial “golden passport” scheme, demanding its immediate cessation. This decision, delivered Tuesday, stems from a 2020 application by the European Commission challenging the legality of Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program.
The Court determined the scheme constitutes “transactional naturalisation,” violating the principle of sincere cooperation among EU member states. While acknowledging national sovereignty in defining citizenship requirements, the Court emphasized that such powers cannot undermine the integrity and value of EU citizenship itself. Malta’s scheme, allowing citizenship acquisition through fixed payments, was deemed a “commercialisation” of EU nationality, contravening Articles 20 TFEU and 4(3) TEU.
Transparency International hailed the ruling, asserting its impact extends beyond Malta, preventing other member states from potentially exploiting similar schemes that offer haven to corrupt actors.
Malta has acknowledged the verdict and is reviewing its legal implications, pledging to revise citizenship regulations accordingly. Existing passports granted under the scheme, reportedly generating €1.4 billion for the nation, remain valid. The program previously offered residency, work, and study rights within the EU, extending citizenship to family members based on investments ranging from €600,000 to €750,000, property purchases, and philanthropic donations.
Niger has announced plans to nationalize the Somair uranium mine, currently operated by French nuclear firm Orano. This decision marks a further departure from France, Niger’s former colonial power, and a potential realignment with Russia. The military government, in power since a 2023 coup, accuses Orano of unfairly benefiting from the mine’s output since its launch in 1971. Orano, which holds a 63% stake in Somair, disputes the allegations and has threatened legal action, citing a “systematic policy of stripping mining assets.” This move follows Niger’s earlier removal of Orano’s operational control over key mines in the country. The nationalization reflects a broader trend in West Africa, with Mali and Burkina Faso also pursuing similar policies under military rule. The situation is further complicated by existing arbitration processes between Orano and Niger, including a recent lawsuit filed by Orano.
On Monday 16 June 2025, the Nigeria Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla (Admiralty Medal) commenced a 3-day working visit to Denmark. The working visit which is at the instance of the Danish Navy aims to strengthen cooperation between both navies.
The visit saw the CNS take a short boat trip with the Admiral of the Danish Navy, Rear Admiral Søren Kjeldsen. In the company of the CNS was Ambassador T. A. Elias-Fatile, CDAai/Head of Mission, Embassy of Nigeria, in Sweden and the Nordic countries, the Navy Secretary, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu and Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to London, Brigadier General Manu.
Other engagements on the first day of the working visit was a meeting with the CEO of Blue Denmark and a discussion session with the Denmark Ministry of Defence’s Centre for Security and Operations.
Below are some pictures that was taken :
Atlanta-based rapper Silento, known for his viral hit “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm. The sentencing follows his confession to fatally shooting his cousin, Frederick Rooks III, in January 2021.
DeKalb County Police discovered Rooks with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigations revealed that Silento and Rooks were last seen together in a white BMW SUV, which was later captured on security footage fleeing the scene after the shooting.
Prior to the incident, Silento’s PR manager, Chanel Hudson, stated that the rapper had been struggling with mental health issues for several years. In 2020, he was also charged with assault for allegedly attacking two people with a hatchet. Silento himself acknowledged his struggles with mental health in a 2019 interview, stating, “I have been fighting demons my whole life.”
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