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Russia: LGBT groups could be declared ‘extremist’ in court ruling

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In Moscow, a traditional marriage ceremony showcasing customs from the far north of Russia is part of an exhibition promoting patriotism and “traditional values.” The weddings at the event adhere to the constitutional definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, emphasizing the absence of recognition for same-sex unions in Russia.

Over the years, Russia’s LGBTQ+ community has faced increasing pressure from authorities, marked by a law enacted in 2013 prohibiting the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors. These restrictions were expanded to all age groups in Russia last year, leading to the removal of references to LGBTQ+ individuals from various forms of media.

The Russian justice ministry has now sought to label the non-existent “International LGBT public movement” as an “extremist” organization, aiming for a ban. LGBTQ+ activists fear that if the supreme court supports this motion, individuals associated with LGBTQ+ activism could face lengthy prison sentences for allegedly participating in an extremist organization.

Members of the Russian parliament, particularly Vitaly Milonov, argue that the move is not an attack on sexual minorities but is instead aimed at countering the political agenda of an international LGBTQ+ movement. Milonov expresses a desire to ban activities from LGBTQ+ international organizations in Russia and even suggests banning the rainbow flag, considering it a symbol against traditional family values.

The Kremlin, under Vladimir Putin, has embraced an ideology centered on conservative thinking and “traditional family values,” portraying LGBTQ+ activism as a Western threat to Russia. The pressure on the LGBTQ+ community is framed as a defense of the moral fabric of the country.

Some activists believe that the supreme court hearing on labeling the “International LGBT public movement” as extremist is linked to the upcoming presidential election, suggesting that authorities are creating an artificial enemy to appeal to conservative sentiments. LGBTQ+ advocates view this as an attempt to distract the public from pressing issues.

Maxim Goldman, who identifies as non-binary, describes feeling rejected by their own country and reveals plans to leave Russia urgently due to the anticipated crackdown on LGBTQ+ activism. Others, like municipal deputy Sergei Troshin, express concerns about potential legal consequences for advocating LGBTQ+ rights, highlighting the pervasive atmosphere of fear in Russian society.

In summary, Russia’s LGBTQ+ community is facing increased hostility from authorities, with potential legal consequences for activists and a broader societal atmosphere of fear and repression.

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Hamburg Airport hostage drama ends after 18 hours

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A hostage incident at Hamburg Airport, involving a young child, concluded after 18 hours, as stated by local authorities. On Saturday night, a 35-year-old man breached security and drove onto the airport tarmac with his four-year-old daughter. Parking beneath a plane, he surrendered to the authorities without resistance and was subsequently apprehended. The child was reported to be unharmed, according to the police.

The disruption led to delays in several inbound and outbound flights, although operations have now resumed. At approximately 20:00 local time, the perpetrator fired his weapon into the air and hurled burning bottles from the vehicle, causing a commotion. While it remained unclear if he had explosives, he halted the car close to a fully occupied commercial flight, prompting the safe evacuation of all passengers on board.

Reportedly, the individual’s motive stemmed from disagreement with authorities over custody arrangements, expressing a desire to travel to Turkey with the child. Police spokeswoman Sandra Levgruen shared that he felt his life was in disarray, as per German broadcaster ZDF. Authorities attributed his actions to an “extraordinary psychological state” due to the custody conflicts with his ex-wife. The man had previously faced allegations of kidnapping the child when he took her to Turkey without permission, resulting in an investigation last year. The mother later returned the child to Germany.

Following the incident, Hamburg Mayor Peter Tschentscher extended his support to the mother, child, and their family. Meanwhile, the airport pledged to swiftly restore regular operations, having originally planned 286 flights with around 34,500 passengers for the day.

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Fabio Grosso: Lyon manager ‘seriously injured’ as team bus attacked in Marseille

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Lyon has cautioned about the possibility of a more severe disaster following an assault on their team bus in Marseille, where manager Fabio Grosso and assistant Raffaele Longo were reportedly injured by projectiles. The incident occurred before the scheduled Ligue 1 match between Marseille and Lyon.

In response to the situation, Lyon expressed their concern, emphasizing that such incidents have been recurring in Marseille annually. They urged the authorities to address the seriousness and frequency of such attacks before a more catastrophic event takes place.

Initially intending to proceed with the match, Lyon reconsidered following news of Grosso and Longo’s injuries and the impact on the players’ mental state. Lyon president John Textor expressed his frustration, highlighting the dangerous objects, including beer bottles, that caused Grosso’s injuries.

Marseille, while deploring the unacceptable incidents, denounced the violence and emphasized that it has no place in football or society. They wished for a swift recovery for Grosso and hoped for a prompt resolution to the situation, acknowledging the disappointment of the fans who were unable to attend the match.

The game was ultimately postponed, prompting widespread condemnation from various quarters, including the French sports minister and FIFA president, who both stressed the need to eradicate such acts of violence in football. French football expert Julien Laurens also expressed dismay, labeling the incident as a detrimental portrayal of French football.

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Germany Outlaws Neo-Nazi Organization Hammerskins

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Germany has taken action to prohibit Hammerskins, a neo-Nazi group infamous for organizing far-right concerts and distributing racist music. This move is seen as a strong stance against racism and antisemitism, with 28 leading members’ residences being raided across the country.

Hammerskins, which originally originated in the United States in the late 1980s, is believed to have around 130 members in Germany. The German authorities have labeled this ban as a significant blow to organized right-wing extremism and the cruel activities of an internationally active neo-Nazi organization.

Nancy Faeser, Germany’s interior minister, emphasized that right-wing extremism remains a substantial threat to democracy and that they will continue to take decisive action. The group’s primary objective was to use concerts as a platform to propagate their far-right ideology.

Hammerskins played a significant role in establishing neo-Nazi music labels, selling antisemitic music, and arranging covert music events. They were linked to venues like Hate Bar in Saarland, where arrests were made for displaying prohibited symbols during far-right concerts as recently as April of this year.

The German authorities collaborated closely with their counterparts in the United States in advance of this ban. Hammerskins, founded in Texas in 1988, expanded its presence across the US and several other countries, operating under a global umbrella known as the Hammerskin Nation.

In Germany, the group had been active since the early 1990s and was regarded as one of the most influential far-right organizations in Europe. It was divided into 13 regional chapters, some of which used names referencing Nazi Germany, and operated similarly to biker gangs. New members were required to complete initiation steps through their supporting group, Crew 38, which has also been banned.

The recent police raids aimed to target leaders of the group in 10 German states and seize the group’s assets. Several members were reported to have licenses to carry weapons. They referred to each other as “brothers” and considered themselves the “elite of the right-wing extremist skinhead scene.”

The group was responsible for organizing Germany’s largest far-right martial arts event, Fight of the Nibelungs, which was banned in 2019. Despite bans on certain activities, Hammerskins continued to organize concerts featuring various neo-Nazi bands.

This ban marks the 20th time that a right-wing extremist association has been outlawed in Germany, according to the interior ministry. Hammerskins was the last major right-wing skinhead organization in Germany following the outlawing of another group, Blood and Honour, in 2000. Blood and Honour had close ties to a neo-Nazi group responsible for 10 racially motivated murders in Germany.

In 2020, Germany also banned Combat 18, another neo-Nazi group associated with far-right concerts. The country’s domestic intelligence agency estimated that there are 38,800 individuals in the right-wing extremist scene, with over a third of them considered “potentially violent.”

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Scorching Heatwave Sweeps Southern Europe: Cerberus Brings Onslaught of High Temperatures

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A powerful heatwave is currently sweeping across southern Europe, leading to widespread discomfort and raising concerns about the wellbeing of residents and the resilience of infrastructure. Known as “Cerberus,” this extreme weather event is characterized by a relentless onslaught of high temperatures that are significantly surpassing the seasonal norms. Several countries in the region, including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, are experiencing the effects of this scorching heatwave.

The heatwave has prompted authorities to issue heat alerts and take precautionary measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals from the potentially dangerous consequences of extreme heat. Both residents and tourists are struggling to cope with the oppressive weather, seeking refuge and searching for ways to stay cool amid the soaring temperatures.

The persistent and intense nature of the heatwave has sparked concerns regarding its potential impacts on various aspects of life in the affected areas. Agriculture, in particular, is at risk due to the extreme heat’s detrimental effects on crops and livestock. Water resources, already strained by the prolonged dry spell, are further under pressure as demand for water increases during the heatwave. Additionally, the heightened risk of wildfires is a significant concern, as the combination of scorching temperatures and dry conditions provides ideal conditions for fire outbreaks.

In response to these challenges, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and implementing measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave. Efforts are focused on providing adequate support to vulnerable populations, ensuring the availability of cooling centers, and implementing fire prevention strategies.

Overall, the Cerberus heatwave is posing significant challenges to southern European countries, requiring coordinated efforts to minimize its impact on public health, infrastructure, and the environment.

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