The German government has taken decisive action against Muslim Interaktiv, a group accused of promoting ideologies that violate fundamental human rights and democratic principles. On Wednesday, the Interior Ministry announced the ban, citing the organization’s promotion of antisemitism, discrimination against women, and hostility toward sexual minorities as threats to the nation’s constitutional order. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that the group’s advocacy for Islamic law over German law, particularly in areas affecting women, posed a significant danger to societal cohesion.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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Pope Leo calls for ‘deep reflection’ about treatment of detained migrants in the United States
In a press conference held outside the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV addressed pressing global issues, emphasizing the need for “deep reflection” on the treatment of migrants detained in the United States. The Chicago-born pontiff highlighted the plight of individuals who have lived peacefully for years but are now profoundly affected by current policies. He stressed that spiritual rights of detainees must be upheld, urging authorities to grant pastoral workers access to these individuals, many of whom have been separated from their families. Leo referenced scripture, posing the critical question: “How did you receive the foreigner?” as a call to action for compassionate treatment of migrants. On the topic of U.S. military strikes against suspected drug traffickers off Venezuela’s coast, the Pope expressed concern over escalating tensions, advocating for dialogue over conflict. Regarding the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, Leo acknowledged the complexity of the situation, particularly in addressing Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank. He emphasized the need for justice and collaboration to ensure the rights of all peoples. The Pope’s upcoming engagements include a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his first papal visit to Turkey and Lebanon later this month.
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Bosnia official puts death toll in retirement home fire at 11, with over 30 injured
A devastating fire erupted on Tuesday evening at a retirement facility in Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 individuals and leaving over 30 injured, according to Bosnian officials. The blaze, which originated on the building’s seventh floor (eighth floor in U.S. terminology), quickly spread, trapping elderly residents who were unable to evacuate due to mobility issues or illness. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Among the injured were firefighters and rescue workers who responded to the emergency. Tuzla’s mayor, Zijad Lugavic, confirmed that authorities convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday to evaluate the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Ruza Kajic, a resident on the third floor, recounted hearing “popping sounds” and witnessing flames descending from the upper floors as she prepared for bed. The incident has cast a somber shadow over the community, highlighting the vulnerabilities of elderly care facilities in emergency situations.
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‘My skin was peeling’ – the African women tricked into making Russian drones
Adau, a 23-year-old from South Sudan, thought she was embarking on a life-changing opportunity when she signed up for the Alabuga Start programme in Russia. Promised professional training in logistics, catering, and hospitality, she was instead thrust into the harsh reality of working in a drone factory in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. Adau’s story is not unique; the programme, which targets young women from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, has been accused of deceptive recruitment practices and exploiting workers in dangerous conditions.
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At least 10 killed in Bosnia nursing home fire
A devastating fire erupted at a nursing home in Tuzla, northeastern Bosnia-Herzegovina, on Tuesday night, resulting in the deaths of 10 residents and injuring 20 others, according to local police. The blaze began at approximately 20:45 local time (19:45 GMT) on the seventh floor of the retirement facility. Emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, and staff, rushed to the scene, with around 20 individuals transported to a nearby medical center for treatment. Among the injured were several patients suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, three of whom required intensive care. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, prompting Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić to describe the incident as “a disaster of enormous proportions.” Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation once conditions permit. Željko Komšić, Chairman of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s tripartite presidency, extended condolences to the families of the victims and those injured. Eyewitness accounts, including that of resident Ruza Kajic, who lived on the third floor, described chaotic scenes as flames engulfed the upper floors, where many bed-ridden individuals resided. Footage from the scene captured the intensity of the blaze, with flames visible from the building’s windows. The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over the community, raising questions about safety protocols in such facilities.
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Freed in Trump deal: Prisoners in exile tell of brutality behind bars in Belarus
In September 2022, Larysa Shchyrakova and 51 other political prisoners were released from Belarusian jails as part of a deal between Belarus’s authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and former US President Donald Trump. The agreement aimed to ease sanctions, but for many, freedom came at a heavy cost. Shchyrakova, imprisoned for three years on charges of “extremism” and “discrediting” Belarus, missed her mother’s funeral and now cannot visit her grave. Stripped of her home, possessions, and documents, she faces homelessness in Lithuania, where she was forcibly relocated. Her story mirrors that of thousands detained after Lukashenko’s brutal crackdown on 2020 protests. Among them is Mikalai Dziadok, who endured five years of harsh treatment, including solitary confinement and psychological torture. Dziadok believes the regime’s goal was to traumatize prisoners to deter future political activism. Another prisoner, Mikola Statkevich, refused to leave Belarus and has since disappeared, presumed re-imprisoned. Despite their release, the prisoners’ lives remain shattered. Shchyrakova, now supported by the Belarusian expat community, has reunited with her son but faces an uncertain future. The deal, which lifted sanctions on Belarusian airline Belavia, has not led to broader political reforms. According to human rights group Viasna, over 1,220 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Belarus, often on vague charges like “insulting the president” or “extremism.” The release, while a temporary reprieve, underscores the ongoing oppression in Lukashenko’s Belarus.
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Australia’s Helen Garner wins Baillie Gifford nonfiction prize for her ‘addictive’ diaries
Australian literary icon Helen Garner has been awarded the esteemed Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction for her compelling and unflinchingly honest diaries, titled ‘How to End a Story.’ The 82-year-old author received the £50,000 ($65,000) accolade at a ceremony in London on Tuesday. Garner’s work, which chronicles her life and career from 1978 to 1998, was praised by the judging panel for its sharp observations and ‘reckless candor.’ Robbie Millen, the jury chair, described the 800-page opus as ‘remarkable and addictive,’ blending the intimate, intellectual, and mundane into a groundbreaking diary format. Garner’s win marks the first time a diary has claimed the prize since its inception in 1999. She triumphed over five other finalists, including biographies of poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson and writer Muriel Spark, as well as works on 1970s revolutionaries, European wolves, and the history of slavery in the Muslim world. Garner, whose 1977 debut novel ‘Monkey Grip’ is hailed as a modern Australian classic, has long been celebrated in her homeland but is only now gaining broader international recognition. Her diverse body of work includes novellas, short stories, screenplays, and true crime books. Singer Dua Lipa, a devoted fan, recently selected Garner’s ‘This House of Grief’ for her book club, calling it ‘a thrilling discovery.’ Garner’s latest co-authored work, ‘The Mushroom Tapes,’ explores a notorious Australian murder case and is set for release this month in Australia and the U.K. Millen expressed hope that the prize would solidify Garner’s status as a literary giant. This marks the second consecutive year an Australian has won the Baillie Gifford Prize, following Richard Flanagan’s victory in 2023.
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Suspected drone sightings disrupt flights at Belgium airports
Airports across Belgium were thrown into disarray on Tuesday as suspected drone sightings forced the suspension of all flights at Brussels Airport, the nation’s busiest aviation hub. The disruption began around 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) following a reported drone sighting, prompting an immediate halt to air traffic. Although operations briefly resumed an hour later, they were swiftly suspended again due to further sightings. Liege Airport also experienced similar disruptions, with no clear timeline for when normal operations might resume. Local media further reported drone sightings at Kleine-Brogel and Florennes military airbases, compounding the crisis. This incident marks the latest in a series of drone-related disruptions at European airports, including Munich, Copenhagen, and Oslo. A statement on the Brussels Airport website confirmed the suspension of all departing and arriving flights, with officials closely monitoring the situation and promising updates as they become available. Images from inside the airport showed camp beds being prepared for stranded passengers. Charleroi, Belgium’s second-largest airport, also briefly halted air traffic as a precaution. Initially, flights were diverted to Liege, but operations there were subsequently suspended due to additional drone sightings. Flights have since been redirected to nearby airports, including Ostend and Charleroi in Belgium, as well as Eindhoven and Maastricht in the Netherlands. This incident marks the fourth consecutive night of drone sightings over Kleine-Brogel, a key military base near the Dutch border. Belgium’s Defence Minister, Theo Francken, announced on Monday that an investigation is underway, describing the incidents as ‘a clear mission targeting Kleine Broge.’ Belgian news site VRT also reported drone sightings near Ostend and Antwerp’s Deurne airports over the weekend, further highlighting the growing threat posed by unauthorized drone activity.
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Bella Culley home after early Georgia jail release
Bella Culley, a 19-year-old pregnant teenager from Billingham, Teesside, has returned home after being released from prison in Georgia. Culley, who admitted to drug trafficking charges, had initially faced up to 20 years in jail. However, prosecutors revised the terms of her plea bargain, leading to her release. She had spent nearly six months in custody, including time in Georgia’s Rustavi Prison Number Five, before being transferred to a ‘mother and baby’ unit due to her advanced pregnancy. Culley was detained on May 10 after authorities discovered 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport. Her family paid £137,000 to reduce her sentence to two years. On Monday, she walked free from court in Tbilisi, accompanied by her mother, and arrived at Luton Airport on an Easyjet flight. Culley claimed she was coerced into trafficking drugs by gangsters who allegedly tortured her with a hot iron. Georgian police have launched a separate investigation into her allegations of coercion.
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Fire at a retiree boarding house in Bosnia kills several people, media reports say
A tragic fire broke out on Tuesday at a retirement boarding house in Tuzla, a town in northeastern Bosnia-Herzegovina, resulting in multiple fatalities. According to reports from Bosnian media, including the prominent daily newspaper Dnevni Avaz, at least eight individuals lost their lives in the incident. The fire originated on one of the higher floors of the building, causing significant damage and prompting an urgent evacuation by firefighters. Although police sources were cited in the media reports, official confirmation of the details has yet to be released. Visuals from the scene depicted intense flames engulfing one of the facility’s floors, highlighting the severity of the disaster. The incident has raised concerns about safety standards in such facilities and has left the local community in mourning.