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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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Bavarian Deputy Leader Aiwanger Faces Scrutiny Over Historical Anti-Semitic Flyer

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Bavarian Deputy Premier Hubert Aiwanger is facing scrutiny over his involvement with an anti-Semitic pamphlet from his school days. Aiwanger, a populist conservative leader, denies writing the pamphlet that mocked the Holocaust, but he has acknowledged possessing it 35 years ago. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder has asked Aiwanger to respond to 25 questions regarding the controversy. This issue comes ahead of crucial elections in Bavaria on October 8.

Söder emphasized the importance of transparency and condemned anti-Semitism, asserting that it has no place in the Bavarian government. The state parliament has requested an urgent statement on the matter. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also called for clarification, underscoring the need to address anti-Semitism vigilantly.

The pamphlet in question contained references to a fictional competition for “the biggest traitor to the Fatherland,” with a disturbing prize of a “free flight through the chimney in Auschwitz,” referencing the Auschwitz extermination camp where countless Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Aiwanger later admitted to having copies of the pamphlet in his schoolbag during his teenage years, but he couldn’t recall whether he distributed the material himself. He denounced the content as “disgusting and inhumane.”

The situation has generated debates over whether actions from a person’s youth should impact their political career decades later. However, the pamphlet’s offensive content has been widely condemned. In Germany, making light of concentration camps is unacceptable and can have legal consequences due to Holocaust denial being a criminal offense.

Aiwanger’s response to the situation has been criticized for lacking transparency and genuine remorse. Despite his history of fiery and populist rhetoric, he has remained reticent on this matter. Pressure is mounting on Aiwanger, especially from Söder, who aims to maintain the coalition with Aiwanger’s party but is frustrated by the timing of the controversy ahead of crucial elections.

The Free Voters party, led by Aiwanger, is expected to secure 11-14% of the vote, but if support wanes, it could spell trouble for Söder’s conservative Christian Social Union. This situation is particularly significant given upcoming elections in other German states and nationally, as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been gaining traction.

The handling of the story by the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung has also come under scrutiny, with criticism directed at its headline suggesting Aiwanger wrote the pamphlet, even though his denial was placed behind a paywall for subscribers to access.

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German Foreign Minister’s Sydney Trip Derailed by Plane Defect

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had to cancel her planned trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji due to issues with her government plane. The 23-year-old Airbus A340-300 experienced repeated wing flap problems, forcing it to make emergency landings in Abu Dhabi twice within two days.

Baerbock expressed her frustration on social media, highlighting the unreliability of Germany’s government planes despite the country’s reputation for efficiency.

This is not the first time such problems have arisen; in 2018, the same Airbus plane caused then Chancellor Angela Merkel to miss a G20 summit due to technical faults.

Germany’s Luftwaffe Air Force announced the early retirement of the problematic plane, replacing it and another A340-300 with recently acquired A350 planes for top government officials.

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German Government Official Allegedly Engaged in Espionage for Russia

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A German government official has been apprehended in Germany on allegations of sharing classified information with Russia. The individual, identified only as Thomas H in accordance with German privacy regulations, was employed by a department focused on military equipment and information technology. It is claimed that he took independent initiative to visit both the Russian embassy in Berlin and the consulate in Bonn, offering his services.

After being presented before a judge on Wednesday, he was taken into custody pending a trial. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann took to the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the arrest, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

The accused is believed to have handed over information gathered through his professional responsibilities with the intention of it reaching a Russian intelligence agency, as stated by the federal prosecutor’s office. The arrest took place in Koblenz, western Germany, accompanied by searches of his home and workplace.

This incident follows a warning issued in June by the domestic security agency, the BfV, about the potential threat of an “aggressive Russian espionage operation” amidst Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This isn’t the first occurrence of its kind since the Russian invasion began in February the previous year.

In a separate case from January, another German citizen named Arthur E was arrested under suspicion of treason for his alleged role in a plot to supply intelligence to Russia. He was thought to be associated with an employee of the German foreign intelligence service (BND) who had been apprehended in December on charges of spying for Russia.

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Berlin’s Authorities Confirm Wild Animal Likely a Boar

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German authorities have ended their search for a suspected lioness in Berlin’s suburbs after finding no evidence of a big cat on the loose.

The search was initiated when a video emerged, suggesting a wild animal, possibly a lion, roaming in a wooded area. However, investigations led experts to believe that the creature was likely a wild boar, as no paw-prints or DNA material were found.

The mayor presented photographs showing the animal lacked lion characteristics, and a tail-like shape in the video was likely a vegetation shadow. Although the situation posed no immediate danger, police remained vigilant.

The search involved numerous officers, wildlife experts, and advanced equipment, but the search was eventually called off.

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Berlin Police on the Hunt for Suspected Roaming Lion

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German authorities are conducting a search for a suspected wild lioness that has been reportedly sighted in the south-western outskirts of Berlin. The animal was first spotted chasing a boar, leading to alerts from several witnesses, including a police officer. A video on Twitter, believed to be authentic by the police, showed the lioness in a forest in Kleinmachnow. Residents have been advised to remain indoors until the animal is located.

The origin of the lioness remains unknown, as local zoos, animal sanctuaries, and circuses have confirmed that no lions have escaped from their facilities. Police have extended the warning area to the south of Berlin, covering Kleinmachnow, Teltow, and Stahnsdorf. Helicopters, veterinarians, and hunters with tranquilizer guns are involved in the search, with authorities aiming to capture the animal humanely. The lioness is suspected to be resting in a wooded area at present.

While some are skeptical about the presence of a lioness, the search continues as a precautionary measure. Residents have been urged to keep their pets indoors and avoid the forest, seeking immediate shelter if they spot the elusive animal. In case of an encounter, authorities advise individuals to remain calm, stand still, and move towards a safe area such as a car or building.

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Europe heatwave: Red alerts issued in 15 Italian cities

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Italy is currently experiencing extreme heat, leading to red alerts being issued for 15 cities, including Rome, Florence, and Bologna. This heatwave is part of a larger trend of increasing temperatures and longer heatwaves globally due to global warming.

The European Space Agency (ESA) predicts that Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Poland may face extreme conditions, with potential record temperatures. Greece has already been experiencing temperatures of 40°C or higher, leading to the closure of tourist attractions like the Acropolis. There are concerns about the increased risk of wildfires in Greece and other areas with high winds.

Central parts of Europe, including Germany and Poland, are also affected by high temperatures. In contrast, the UK is experiencing heavy showers and cooler weather due to the southern shift of the jet stream. The current heatwave in Italy, named Cerberus, is expected to be followed by another heatwave called Charon, pushing temperatures above 40°C.

Heatwaves are also occurring in other parts of the world, including the US, China, North Africa, and Japan. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events due to global warming have become the new normal, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

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Storms in Europe cause huge damage and disruption

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Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, has been hit by severe storms and heavy rainfall, leading to significant damage and disruptions. Many towns and cities in the region have experienced torrential rain, causing floods and forcing the closure of numerous roads.

The rail traffic has also been affected, with the Hamburg-Berlin line and a major north-south line between Kassel and Goettingen being closed due to storm damage. Switzerland has also faced thunderstorms, resulting in numerous calls to the fire department.

Strong winds reaching speeds of up to 135 km/h have uprooted trees, damaged roofs, and street infrastructure, although no casualties have been reported. Austria has witnessed several landslides that have affected homes, and the state of Carinthia experienced large hailstones of up to 8 centimeters in diameter, causing significant damage to crops.

Videos circulating on social media show violent storms and flooded streets, including the complete submersion of the forecourt and road in front of the Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe ICE train station.

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US Citizen Arrested Following Lethal Assault at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

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A young woman, aged 21, has lost her life after being assaulted and thrown from a hill at the renowned Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Germany on Wednesday.

According to prosecutors, the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, passed away during the night after being forcibly pushed 50 meters down a gorge. Another woman, aged 22 and a friend of the deceased, suffered severe injuries when she attempted to intervene and was also pushed by the attacker. Law enforcement officials have apprehended a male US citizen in connection with the incident.

The 30-year-old suspect, whose name has not been disclosed by the police, initially fled the scene but was later captured following an extensive manhunt involving over 25 vehicles. He is currently in custody at a police station in Fuessen, located near Bavaria state. Reports suggest that the man met the victims, who are believed to be American citizens, on a trail close to the Marienbrücke bridge—a popular viewpoint for tourists visiting the castle. Under false pretenses of a challenging path to the bridge, he led them onto a hidden trail and subsequently carried out the assault.

The Bavarian police stated that the assailant choked the 22-year-old woman when she attempted to intervene and then pushed her down a steep slope. They suspect that there was also an attempted sexual offense against the 21-year-old victim. The woman who survived the attack is currently in serious condition but responsive. The suspect appeared before the Kempten District Court, where the investigating judge issued an arrest warrant, leading to his detention.

Senior public prosecutor Thomas Hormann noted that the investigation is still in its early stages. Neuschwanstein Castle, located approximately 126km (78 miles) from Munich, is a highly popular tourist destination, attracting over 1.3 million visitors annually. Constructed in the 19th century, the castle was intended to serve as the residence of the regional rulers, although it was never inhabited.

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