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Kamila Valieva: Russian figure skater given four-year ban for doping

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Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has received a four-year ban for doping, following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Valieva had initially been cleared by a Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) investigation, which found no fault on her part for a failed test before the 2022 Winter Olympics, where she won team gold at the age of 15.

The ban, backdated to December 25, 2021, the date of the failed test, includes the disqualification of all competitive results achieved from that date. CAS clarified that the decision on whether to strip Russia of the gold medal would be examined by the relevant sports organizations, not within the scope of the arbitration procedure.

Valieva did not contest the presence of the banned substance, and CAS ruled that she failed to establish, on the balance of probabilities, that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) was not intentional. The Kremlin criticized the CAS ruling as a “politicized” decision, while the Russian Olympic Committee stated that “in effect war has been declared on Russia.”

WADA emphasized the severity of doping involving minors and called for legal consequences for doctors, coaches, or support personnel providing performance-enhancing substances to minors. The United States is expected to be awarded gold in the team figure skating event in Beijing, with Japan and Canada receiving silver and bronze, respectively.

The controversy surrounding Valieva’s doping case is seen as another chapter in Russia’s doping scandal, with the country’s athletes competing at the Beijing Games under the neutral name of the Russian Olympic Committee. The CAS decision has sparked concerns about the credibility of the Russian anti-doping system, with calls for increased vigilance.

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Luis Rubiales: Fifa uphold three-year ban against ex-Spanish football federation chief

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Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation, has been unsuccessful in his appeal against a three-year ban from football-related activities imposed by FIFA. This decision follows an incident where Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England. Hermoso later filed a legal complaint, alleging that the kiss was not consensual.

FIFA stated that Rubiales violated the principles of fair play and displayed offensive behavior, citing Article 13 of the FIFA disciplinary code. The governing body’s appeal committee expressed satisfaction that Rubiales behaved contrary to these principles during and after the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The ban could potentially be contested before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A Spanish judge has proposed that Rubiales should stand trial over the incident, describing the kiss as “not consensual and… a unilateral and surprising initiative.” Prosecutors had previously charged Rubiales with sexual assault and coercion. Despite Rubiales maintaining that the kiss was a “consensual peck,” the controversy led to his resignation as the president of the Spanish football federation, sparking a global conversation about sexism in women’s sports.

The incident also had repercussions in the coaching staff, as World Cup-winning manager Jorge Vilda was sacked in September and is under investigation as part of the criminal case against Rubiales. Jenni Hermoso, who claimed her image was tarnished by the kiss, made a return to the national side in October, scoring a crucial 89th-minute winner against Italy.

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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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Italy bans lab-grown meat in nod to farmers

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Italian Members of Parliament have given their approval to a law that bans the production, sale, or import of lab-grown meat or animal feed, a move championed by the right-wing government under the banner of defending Italian culinary traditions. Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida asserted that Italy has become the first nation to shield itself from the perceived social and economic risks associated with synthetic food. The parliamentary vote prompted both support and opposition, leading to a physical altercation between farmers and some MPs.

Despite the scuffle, the bill passed with a majority of 159 votes in favor and 53 against. Violating the law could result in fines of up to €60,000. Presently, the impact of the law is limited, as lab-grown meat has only been approved for human consumption in Singapore and the United States. The European Union has yet to give the green light to lab-grown meat, categorized as “novel foods.” If EU approval is granted, Italy’s new law may face challenges from the European Commission.

The legislation, initiated in response to a petition organized by the Coldiretti lobby group, prohibits synthetic foods produced from animal cells without causing harm to the animal. Additionally, it restricts producers from using meat-related terms on labels to describe plant-based protein. Critics argue that there is nothing synthetic about lab-grown meat, as it is created by growing natural cells without genetic modification.

The passage of this law marks a victory for Italy’s Agriculture Minister, who, a year ago, pledged to prevent “synthetic food” from entering Italian dining tables. Minister Lollobrigida praised MPs for supporting the new law, emphasizing the preservation of the relationship between food, land, and human labor that has endured for millennia. However, the petition behind the legislation faced condemnation from critics such as Prof Elena Cattaneo, a lifelong senator and bioscience specialist, who denounced it as an emotive leaflet that oversimplified the distinction between natural and cultivated foods.

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German vice-chancellor Habeck hits out against rising antisemitism

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German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has pledged a strong political response to the rise of antisemitism in the country. He addressed various sources of antisemitism, including Islamists, the far right, and segments of the political left, in a widely viewed video that garnered significant attention in Germany.

Antisemitic incidents in Germany have surged in the aftermath of the 7th of October attacks in Israel, during which Hamas militants killed 1,400 Israelis and took more than 230 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign aimed at destroying Hamas, resulting in significant casualties.

Habeck’s video emphasized the need to protect Jewish communities and condemned actions such as burning the Israeli flag or supporting Hamas, which are considered crimes under German law. He called for legal consequences, including possible deportation, for those involved in such activities.

While some praised Habeck’s address as a comprehensive assessment of the situation, others criticized him for suggesting that Muslim migrants and refugees were responsible for bringing antisemitism into Europe.

Germany’s Interior Minister announced a ban on all activities linked to Hamas and a pro-Palestinian network called Samidoun, citing their anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda. The move was intended to facilitate interventions in gatherings of their supporters.

Antisemitic incidents have increased by 240% in Germany since the Hamas attacks, with reports of vandalism and attacks on Jewish-owned properties. Similar incidents have also been reported in neighboring Austria.

In France, a Moldovan couple was detained for spray-painting Stars of David on walls in Paris. They claimed to have acted on behalf of a third party and are now facing expulsion. Prosecutors are investigating whether the tags were intended as an insult to the Jewish community.

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Germany Takes Action Against Neo-Nazi Group Artgemeinschaft for Child Targeting

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Germany has imposed a ban on the far-right organization Artgemeinschaft due to its dissemination of Nazi ideology to children and young individuals. The country’s interior minister has labeled the group as “deeply racist and antisemitic” and accused it of attempting to cultivate new adversaries of the constitution.

Artgemeinschaft employed Nazi-era literature and cultural events as vehicles for propagating its ideology. Law enforcement authorities have conducted searches in numerous residences and offices associated with the group across 12 German states.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “This represents another significant blow against right-wing extremism and against those who continue to propagate Nazi ideologies to this day.”

Artgemeinschaft, which roughly translates to “racial community,” reportedly had around 150 members, according to the interior ministry. The ministry revealed that the group provided guidance to its members on selecting partners with North or Central European backgrounds, in alignment with their “racial preservation” ideology.

The sect operated an online bookstore and regularly hosted cultural events, drawing several hundred attendees. It portrayed itself as “Germany’s largest pagan community.”

Authorities assert that the group used the facade of “pseudo-religious Germanic beliefs” to promote a worldview that violates human dignity.

The ban encompasses the group’s website, publications, and Familienwerk, another affiliated association.

Recently, Germany also outlawed Hammerskins, another neo-Nazi organization known for its role in organizing far-right concerts and selling racist music. Hammerskins, founded in the US in the late 1980s, was the last major right-wing skinhead group in Germany after the banning of another group, Blood and Honour, in 2000. It was heavily involved in establishing neo-Nazi music labels, distributing antisemitic records, and organizing clandestine music events.

Germany’s interior minister emphasized that “right-wing extremism has many faces,” noting that while Artgemeinschaft operated differently from Hammerskins, it was “no less dangerous.”

Artgemeinschaft is one of Germany’s oldest neo-Nazi groups and played a significant role in connecting various far-right and neo-Nazi factions in the country. Stephan Ernst, who assassinated prominent regional politician Walter Lübcke in 2019 due to “racism and xenophobia,” was a member of the group, according to German intelligence. Media reports also suggest that members of the group had ties to Ralf Wohlleben, a neo-Nazi convicted of supporting a notorious cell responsible for ten racially motivated murders in Germany.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency estimates that there are 38,800 individuals active in the country’s right-wing extremist scene, with over a third of them considered “potentially violent.”

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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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France Unveils Proposal to Prohibit Single-Use E-Cigarettes

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France is poised to implement a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, known locally as ‘puffs,’ due to concerns about their impact on the environment and public health. Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne announced this move as part of a broader anti-smoking plan developed by the government, with the ban expected to take effect by year-end. Similar bans have been announced in several other European countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Ireland, with the UK also reportedly considering such a prohibition.

These disposable vapes, available at tobacconists in France for approximately €9 (equivalent to £7.70), claim to provide around 600 puffs, roughly equivalent to 40 traditional cigarettes. However, France’s National Academy of Medicine has criticized them as a ‘deceptive lure for children and adolescents,’ arguing that they instill smoking-related behaviors in young users.

Critics accuse manufacturers, many of which are based in China, of deliberately targeting teenagers with colorful designs and a variety of flavors reminiscent of a candy store, such as marshmallow, chocolate, hazelnut, watermelon, and ice candy. According to the Alliance Against Tobacco (ACT), 13% of 13-16-year-olds in France have tried disposable e-cigarettes at least once, with most starting around the ages of 11 or 12.

Campaigners argue that the ban is a significant victory, as disposable e-cigarettes serve as a gateway to smoking for young people. Loïc Josseran, ACT president, emphasizes the tobacco industry’s role in this trend, describing it as a deliberate effort to entice children.

Environmental concerns have also been raised, as disposable e-cigarettes contribute to ecological damage. In the UK, a study by the environmental organization Material Focus found that over one million of these devices were discarded weekly. French doctors and environmentalists have called disposable e-cigarettes an ‘environmental plague,’ citing their plastic construction, non-removable lithium batteries, nicotine content, and traces of heavy metals.

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Paris Bids Farewell to Electric Scooter Rentals

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Paris has implemented a ban on rental electric scooters due to increasing injuries and fatalities in the city. Despite the ban being supported by nearly 90% of the voters in April, voter turnout was less than 8%. This move makes Paris one of the first capitals to prohibit rented electric scooters, only five years after initially embracing them.

As someone who is a traditional cyclist, I’m frustrated by the intrusion of electric “personal vehicles” like e-scooters into our space. I’ve spent four decades advocating for cycle paths, only to see them crowded out by this new form of motorized transportation. Additionally, as a parent, I’ve witnessed numerous instances of scooters speeding down sidewalks, posing hazards that require quick avoidance. A close friend of mine even suffered a broken rib in an e-scooter accident in Paris last year, which still causes him pain.

I hold no affection for these free-floating e-scooters. If it were up to me, they would have never been invented, and Parisians would still be cycling like it was the 1970s in Amsterdam, relying on their legs rather than pushing buttons.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize a political maneuver when I see one. The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, is a member of the Socialist party, but her presidential campaign in the previous election garnered just 1.75% of the national vote. In an effort to regain political relevance, she seized upon e-scooters as her cause, conveniently forgetting that she had introduced on-street scooter rentals in 2018. She became the spokesperson for those who find scooters deeply annoying.

At the beginning of the year, she announced a referendum to let the people decide on the scooter issue, stating that she would follow the people’s choice, even if it conflicted with her personal stance. The vote took place in April with minimal publicity, and only a small fraction of Parisians participated. Predictably, older citizens, who vote regularly and dislike e-scooters, turned out in large numbers, while younger users of e-scooters were less inclined to participate. The result was a clear majority in favor of banning the machines, giving the mayor her victory.

Now, rental scooters have disappeared from the streets, much to the dismay of tourists, nightlife enthusiasts, and some commuters. However, dealers in privately-owned e-scooters remain unaffected. Unlike the transition from horses to automobiles a century ago, where horses were replaced by a more advanced technology, the e-scooters’ absence may not be permanent. These scooters have only been around for five years, and there’s a possibility they may return at some point.

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France to Prohibit Female Students from Wearing Abayas in Public Schools

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The Education Minister of France has declared that students will not be allowed to wear abayas, loose-fitting full-length robes worn by some Muslim women, in the country’s state-run schools. This regulation will come into effect as the new school year commences on September 4.

France maintains a strict prohibition on religious symbols in public schools and government premises, citing their infringement of secular principles. The use of headscarves has been banned in state-run schools since 2004.

Education Minister Gabriel Attal stated that the intention is to prevent the identification of students’ religious affiliations solely through their appearance within classrooms. He emphasized that the abaya will no longer be permissible in educational institutions.

This decision follows extended debates surrounding the wearing of abayas within French schools. The prevalence of this garment in educational settings has fueled a political divide, with right-wing parties advocating for a ban, while left-leaning factions express concerns about the rights of Muslim women and girls.

Mr. Attal contended that secularism entails the freedom to advance through education and argued that the abaya represents a religious act aimed at challenging the republic’s dedication to the secular nature of education.

He pledged to provide comprehensive guidelines at the national level prior to the resumption of schools after the summer recess.

France had previously banned full face veils in public spaces in 2010, a move that elicited mixed reactions from the nation’s sizable Muslim community.

Since the 19th Century, France has enforced stringent regulations against religious symbols in schools, including Christian emblems like large crosses, to curtail any influence of Catholicism in public education. The nation has revised these laws over time to accommodate its evolving demographics, encompassing the Muslim headscarf and Jewish kippa. However, abayas had not been explicitly prohibited.

The discourse on Islamic symbols has intensified since a Chechen refugee beheaded Samuel Paty, a teacher who had shown caricatures of Prophet Mohammed to students near his school in a Paris suburb in 2020.

This announcement marks the inaugural significant policy decision of Mr. Attal, who was appointed as France’s education minister by President Emmanuel Macron in the summer of 2023 at the age of 34.

The CFCM, a national entity representing numerous Muslim associations, has asserted that articles of clothing alone do not inherently constitute religious symbols.

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