Dawn raids across Germany as neo-Nazi group banned for ‘disgusting’ targeting of children
Germany banned yet another neo-Nazi group and conducted raids at the homes of dozens of its members, according to reports. The authorities raided the houses of at least 39 members in the early hours on Wednesday after the country’s interior minister Nancy Faeser banned the group “Artgemeinschaft” accused of spreading Nazi ideology. Across 12 states, at least 26 homes belonging to the members of the group were searched. The authorities said that the group has about 150 members nationwide, including children and adolescents. “This is another hard blow against right-wing extremism and against the intellectual arsonists who continue to spread Nazi ideologies to this day,” Ms Faeser said. “This right-wing extremist group has tried to raise new enemies of the constitution with its disgusting indoctrination of children and young people.” This is the second neo-Nazi group to be banned in about a week. Ms Faeser banned “Hammerskins Deutschland” which had roots in the United States about a week ago. The Hammerskins Germany is an offshoot of the Hammerskins Nation founded in the United States in 1988, according to the German Interior Ministry. Local reports said that this organisation held a significant position within Europe’s right-wing extremist sphere. Across the globe, its members identified themselves as “brothers” who embrace a subcultural lifestyle. As per the ministry’s investigation, the group also regards itself as the vanguard within the right-wing extremist community. “The ban of the ‘Hammerskins Germany’ is a hard blow against organised right-wing extremism,” Ms Faeser said then. She added that the ban included the association’s regional chapters and its sub-organisation Crew 38. “With this ban, we are putting an end to the inhumane activities of an internationally active neo-Nazi association in Germany,” she added. “This sends a clear signal against racism and antisemitism.” The ban on the “Hammerskins Germany” marked the 20th instance of the German Interior Ministry banning a right-wing extremist organisation. “Right-wing extremism remains the greatest extremist threat to the basic democratic order in Germany,” Ms Faeser said. Meanwhile, “Artgemeinschaft” reportedly maintains eight regional “fellowships” and “circles of friends”, according to local media. It was reported that their children are brought up according to supposedly pagan customs and Germanic traditions. The organisation also bears the nickname “Germanic Religious Community of Essential Life” and describes itself as the “largest pagan community in Germany”, according to local reports. It was founded in 1951. Additional reporting with agencies Read More Canada's government calls on House speaker to resign over inviting a man who fought for a Nazi unit Opposition lawmakers call on Canada's House speaker to resign for honoring man who fought for Nazis German police raid locations across the country in connection with smuggling of Syrian migrants How white supremacist fight clubs are building covert far-right militias Putin sends troops to ‘overstretched’ frontline as Kyiv ‘digs in’ in Verbove - live Hillary Clinton mocks Putin over Nato expansion: ‘Too bad, Vladimir’
2023-09-27 16:27
Why is my teenager sleeping so much?
When you think about it, teenagers are a lot like pandas. Like the black and white bears, teens often have a tendency to lounge around for hours, munch their way through massive amounts of grub, and snooze for extremely long stretches. It’s not unusual for youngsters to emerge zombie-like from their bedrooms hours after parents and little ones have arisen on weekend mornings, or have a ‘disco nap’ in the afternoon. But how can you tell if your child’s sleeping habits or typical for a teen – or a cause for concern? How much do teens need? “Sleep research suggests that a teenager needs between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night, so slightly more than an adult or younger child requires,” says Dr Hana Patel, sleep expert at Time4Sleep. “This is because teenagers need additional sleep to support their rapid physical, intellectual, and emotional development.” Chris Tattersall, sleep expert and MD of Woolroom explains: “They are going through a second developmental stage of cognitive maturation. Additional sleep supports their developing brain, as well as physical growth spurts.” However, it’s estimated that most adolescents in the digital age only get about 6.5 to 7.5 hours sleep. Tattersall says: “With the increased use of social media scrolling before bedtime, this is affecting thousands of teenagers’ sleep because the blue light from screens suppresses melatonin levels and delays sleepiness.” What happens if they don’t get enough sleep? “Teenagers not getting enough sleep can lead to all sorts of potential issues,” says Tattersall. Psychological symptoms may include, he warns: “Depression, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, anxiety and low self-esteem.” Plus, there’s the risk of weight gain due to eating more sugary foods to combat tiredness. “Not only does it have negative effects on their general wellbeing but it can also affect their academic performance,” Patel adds. Is it possible to sleep too much? It may seem counterintuitive, but sleeping too much can actually make young people more tired. “Anything over eight to 10 hours of sleep for teens could be considered excessive and may cause daytime sleepiness,” says Patel. “This can negatively affect interpersonal relationships, extracurricular activities, general health and, for older teens, driving too.” It’s important for parents to watch for signs that teens are struggling with sleep. “Look out for concentration difficulties, shortened attention span, memory impairment and lack of enthusiasm or energy,” Tattersall says. “You also might notice moodiness and aggression, poor decision-making, and signs of depression.” Patel says: “Sometimes teens may also complain of symptoms like headaches and migraines.” Try to encourage good ‘sleep hygiene’ in terms of a youngster’s evening routine, meaning avoiding large meals and caffeine before bed and creating a relaxing bedroom environment. “If possible, reduce the use of devices like smartphones and tablets, TVs or computers in the bedroom at night, as the light from the screens interfere with sleep,” Patel says. “If you are concerned about your teenager’s sleeping habits and the effects of this on their health, consult with your GP.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Kate gives a lesson in autumnal power dressing in a green trouser suit How can I boost my soil when I go peat-free? See Cate Blanchett champion sustainable fashion at glamorous Giorgio Armani show
2023-09-27 16:26
More than a dozen people were arrested after multiple stores were looted around Philadelphia, police say
More than a dozen people were arrested after stores were looted when a large crowd gathered in Philadelphia's Center City district Tuesday night, police said.
2023-09-27 15:26
Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin sends in new troops to ‘overstretched’ frontline as Kyiv ‘digs in’ in Verbove
Moscow has deployed more troops to their ‘overstretched’ front line, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD). It comes as a Ukrainian military spokesman, Oleksandr Shtupun, told the news site Espreso TV that Ukrainian troops were digging in and poised to move on the village of Verbove as part of their advance to the Sea of Azov. The spokesman for troops in the south said: “I believe we will soon have good news.” The MoD says that following the creation of Russia’s 25th Combined Arms Army (25 CAA), which was reportedly seen in Ukraine for the first time in August, Moscow has deployed them to reinforce under-defended areas on the frontline. “[The] 67th Motor Rifle Division and 164th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade are reported to be fighting on the front in a sector west of Severodonetsk and Kreminna, along the border between Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts,” the MoD said. They suggest that this makes a fresh offensive from Russian forces unlikely, as they were not deployed en masse to one area. The MoD said: “With 25 CAA apparently being deployed piecemeal to reinforce the over-stretched line, a concerted new Russian offensive is less likely over the coming weeks.” Read More Belarus' top diplomat says he can't imagine his nation entering the war in Ukraine alongside Russia Destruction in Ukraine’s eastern village of Klishchiivka captured in aerial footage Canada's government calls on House speaker to resign over inviting a man who fought for a Nazi unit Explosions from Russian drone attack on Odesa region seen from ferry on Danube
2023-09-27 15:24
Hillary Clinton mocks Putin over Nato expansion: ‘Too bad, Vladimir. You brought it on yourself’
Hillary Clinton mocked Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for his concerns about Nato’s expansion and said the Russian president “brought it on himself” with his invasion of Ukraine. "Defending democracy in Ukraine, expanding Nato – just as an aside, too bad Vladimir, you brought it on yourself," the former US secretary of state said, prompting laughter and applause. Ms Clinton was speaking at the State Department where she unveiled her official portrait and addressed current and former officials in the ornate Benjamin Franklin State Dining room. "We always said, ‘people are not forced to join Nato. People choose and want to join Nato,’" she added. The top leader also took shots at the policies of Republican former president Donald Trump, who defeated her in the 2016 US presidential election. She added that there may have been questions raised on Washington’s ability to gather support for its aid for Ukraine to fend off Russian invasion due to Mr Trump’s legacy of alienating allies. "People might have doubted that because we had burned so many bridges with our allies and our friends," she said. "Reinstating a foreign policy... that actually brings people to us, not pushes them away, would have been thought to be extremely difficult. And indeed it was, but it was accomplished," she said and thanked her successor secretary of state Antony Blinken for "helping to restore America’s standing". Ms Clinton said the current Biden administration pursued many of the priorities of the Obama administration, in which she was the top US diplomat. Talking about the common Biden and Obama priorities, she described the mutual concerns of "expanding Nato, facing down Russian aggression and managing the challenges from China" as she took a dig at the Russian president who has long complained of Nato’s expansion in Europe and blamed it as a motive for his invasion of Ukraine. The top former official joked that it had been a long time since she had seen the portrait, which depicted her gazing into the distance against the backdrop of an enlarged American flag. "Between Covid, between not wanting to finish it during the prior administration," she said with a meaningful glance at the audience, drawing laughter, "it’s been a while. And I am going to be probably as surprised as all of you". Read More Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin planning new ‘assault units’ despite Moscow’s ‘mobilisation issues’ Ukrainian forces ‘enjoy success’ near Bakhmut as Putin deploys reserves Hillary Clinton makes quip about Trump administration as her portrait is unveiled Donald Trump’s play for union votes leaves the GOP in a confusing spot once again
2023-09-27 14:58
New video of ‘dead’ Russian Black Sea fleet commander raises doubts over Ukraine’s claim
A top Russian naval officer who Ukraine claimed was killed in a missile strike has been seen in a new video released by Russia, sparking confusion among the war-hit country’s officials. Ukraine’s special forces on Monday had claimed Russian admiral Viktor Sokolov and 33 other officers were killed in a missile strike carried out on the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol in Crimea. The video released by Russia’s defence ministry on Tuesday, however, showed Black Sea Fleet commander Sokolov appearing on a video conference call with Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu. It remains unclear when the video was recorded. While it is not clear how Ukraine counted casualties in the Sevastopol operation, Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs, had earlier posted the admiral’s name and photo on social media. Ukraine now says it is working to “clarify” earlier reports. Russia has not issued any direct rebuttal of Ukraine’s claims, which is consistent with its stance of maintaining silence on significant battlefield losses. “As is known, 34 officers were killed as a result of a missile attack on the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. Available sources claim that among the dead was the commander of the Russian Army. Many still have not been identified due to the disparity of body fragments,” Ukraine’s special forces said on their official Telegram channel. “Since the Russians were urgently forced to publish an answer with an apparently alive Sokolov, our units are clarifying the information,” it said. The video from Tuesday showed defence minister Shoigu talking about a drill he claimed Russia’s Pacific fleet had completed a day earlier, as several top officers appeared on a big screen in the room. Admiral Sokolov is also seen in a video screen but in a different location, with only a flag seen in the backdrop behind him. He is also not heard speaking in the video. While this appears to be a signal from Moscow that the admiral is still alive, Russia has not released any details to prove when the video conference took place. In its earlier update on the Sevastopol strike, Ukraine’s special forces said the air force fired 12 missiles on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters as it targeted areas where personnel, military equipment and weapons were concentrated. Two anti-aircraft missile systems and four Russian artillery units were hit, special forces said. It was a rare direct claim of responsibility from Ukraine for an attack on either Russian soil or a target in Crimea, which Russia has occupied since its illegal annexation in 2014. Moscow-installed authorities in Sevastopol are reported to be taking extra defensive measures in the face of Ukraine’s increased attacks on Crimea in recent days. Sevastopol is a critical region providing a platform from which Russia has launched many of its air attacks on Ukraine in the 19-month-long war. Read More Russia remains silent as Ukraine claims Black Sea Fleet commander among 34 officers killed Putin’s Black Sea fleet commander ‘killed in navy attack’ as Ukraine breakthrough triggers ‘panic’ Russia’s Lavrov rubbishes Ukraine peace plan and warns conflict will be resolved on battlefield Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin planning new ‘assault units’ despite Moscow’s ‘mobilisation issues’
2023-09-27 14:54
DNA testing leads to exoneration of California man imprisoned nearly 3 decades on kidnapping and sexual assault convictions
After a California man spent nearly three decades in prison for kidnapping, sexual assault and robbery convictions, new DNA testing has revealed he was innocent of those crimes, a prosecutor announced.
2023-09-27 14:50
Powerball jackpot of $835 million -- which would be the game's fourth-largest -- is up for grabs Wednesday night
Powerball players will vie for an estimated $835 million jackpot during Wednesday night's drawing.
2023-09-27 14:26
S Jaishankar: India asks Canada for information on Sikh leader's murder
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said India was open to looking into any "specific" details on the killing.
2023-09-27 13:57
World’s No. 1 Stock Owner Calls Out Big Oil as Carbon Levels Go Up
A senior executive at Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, which owns a larger share of global stocks than any
2023-09-27 13:56
India Sticks to Borrowing Plan After JPMorgan Index Inclusion
India’s government maintained its borrowing plan for the remainder of this fiscal year, as higher revenues obviate the
2023-09-27 13:53
EBRD Sees Challenge to Dollar from Russia’s Trade in Yuan
Russia’s rising trade in the yuan in the wake of the war in Ukraine and western sanctions may
2023-09-27 13:51