The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been labeled a “right-wing extremist” by Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
Following an audit by the BfV security service, the party is now subject to surveillance, according to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution’s announcement on Friday. It might also bring up the possibility of banning the AfD, which has gained popularity in recent years and finished second in the general election in February.
Due to its attempts to “undermine the free, democratic” order in Germany, the BfV, which had already labeled several local AfD chapters as extremist, made the decision to label the entire organization.
Leading party officials continue to make numerous xenophobic, anti-minority, anti-Islamic, and anti-Muslim statements, the statement continued.
The AfD, which is currently leading several opinion polls and has capitalized on growing anti-immigration sentiment in the wake of the nation’s economic slowdown, denounced the designation as “clearly politically motivated.”
Friedrich Merz, the conservative CDU leader, is scheduled to take the oath of office as Germany’s new chancellor just days before the appointment.
The party, which has signed a coalition deal with the left-leaning Social Democrats, is debating how to handle the AfD in the new parliament.
The classification will make it easier for the authorities to monitor the AfD, including by intercepting communications.
It might also rekindle attempts to ban the AfD.
German Social Democrats’ current chancellor Olaf Scholz stated on Friday that he opposes rushing to outlaw the AfD, adding that it needs to be evaluated “carefully.”
The BfV has long been investigating the radical right-wing party because of its connections to Russia and its extremist connections.
More than 10,000 of the 38,800 far-right extremists counted by the organization last year are members.
Several AfD factions, including three regional parties in the east of the nation and its youth wing, were already categorized as extremists.
In 2021, the entire organization was labeled as a alleged extremist case. The national party’s entire designation has now been officially recognized by the security services.
The classification, according to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, was “clear and unambiguous” and the result of a 1,100-page “comprehensive and neutral audit” without any political influence.
Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, AfD’s co-leaders, claimed in a statement that the organization is “being publicly discredited and criminalized.”
The iconic Knightsbridge department store, Harrods, and British retail giant Marks & Spencer (M&, S) are the latest victims of cyberattacks in the UK.
One of the most well-known high-street stores in the United Kingdom, M&, S, is still accepting online orders, which has already resulted in millions of pounds in lost revenue as a result of the attack.
What we know about the incident, its effects, and where things are right now are as follows.
What transpired during the Marks and Spencer and Harrods cyberattacks?
April 21: Marks &, Spencer customers report issues with making contactless payments and ordering click-and-collect services (both online and in-store). The business later confirms that a “cyber incident” is brewing.
April 25: M&, S halts all online orders and removes all of its offline job postings. Store signs start flashing warning about limited food options. At M&, S food stores, gift cards and returns are not accepted.
April 28: Some M&, S locations report no longer carrying popular goods like Percy Pigs candy and empty shelves in some stores. The Castle Donington warehouse in the UK’s East Midlands has instructions for around 200 agency workers to remain at home. Stores continue to experience shortages.
April 29 through May 2: Job applications are still pending and M&, S’s website is still inaccessible. No further public updates have been made from the retailer. Physical stores are still open, but some product lines aren’t.
The United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police confirms its investigation into the attack on April 30.
May 1: Harrods, a luxury department store in London, confirms a cyberattack but promises that business will continue as usual. The company has not disclosed the extent of the breach or the leakage of customer data.
M&, S is back online, though.
The online services offered by M&, S have not fully reopened. Customers can browse online, but they can’t finish making purchases. Gift cards are still being accepted in stores, which also causes some issues.
A recovery timeline has not been established by the company.
What led to the attack on these retailers?
Experts believe the company’s system shutdown suggests a likely ransomware incident, despite M&, S’s not confirming the type of cyberattack it experienced.
A type of malicious software that blocks access to files or systems until a ransom has been paid, which is typically in the form of cryptocurrency. Operationen can be stopped and crucial data can be held hostage by this type of software.
Harrods has not disclosed the details of its cyberattack, but experts think there may be something going wrong with it.
The cyberattacks are being investigated by both the Metropolitan Police and the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). The NCSC has advised consumers to check bank activity and update passwords, as well as urges all retailers to strengthen their cybersecurity.
[Photo: Mina Kim/Reuters] People cycle past the Harrods department store in London.
The most recent cyberattack was carried out by who?
Cybersecurity experts believe that the Scattered Spider, also known as Octo Tempest, is responsible for the attack on M&, S.
This loose network of mostly young, mostly English-speaking hackers exploit phishing techniques to break into company systems (messages where criminals deceive recipients into handing over sensitive information like login details), SIM swapping (taking control of someone’s phone number), and multi-factor Authentication fatigue (sending repeatedly authorized login requests until someone unintentionally approves one).
Scattered Spider is alleged to have used DragonForce, a ransomware, to access M&, S systems.
According to cybersecurity firm Akamai, phishing emails are one of the most frequent ways ransomware infiltrates a system. The goal of exploiting either a human error or a technical vulnerability is what is a common practice across all methods, according to its website.  ,
Important files are encrypted and spread through the malware, locking them so that the company can’t access or use them. The hackers then demand a key to unlock the data in exchange for a ransom.
Scattered Spider is an unusual hacking organization, according to Tim Mitchell, a senior security researcher at Secureworks, because most cybercriminal networks operate out of countries like Russia, where looser enforcement creates a more “permissive environment” for cybercrime.
Russia is ranked second in the world in terms of the highest cybercrime threat by the World Cybercrime Index, followed by Ukraine, China, the United States, Nigeria, and Romania.
How much have the businesses lost as a result of this attack?
More than 700 million pounds ($930 million) have been lost to Marks &, Spencer’s market value since the attack, with its share price falling by 6.5 percent, including a 2.2% drop on the day of the first disruptions, just by the 2.2% drop.
About 3.8 million pounds ($5.05 million) in daily revenue is generated by online shopping, which accounts for about one-third of M&, S’s clothing and home sales. This is a stream that has been halted as a result of the ongoing shutdown.
Nearly 200 job postings have also been removed from the company’s website.
Harrods, in contrast, has not yet disclosed any financial losses. It is a privately held company that does not typically release financial information to the public and does not have a stock price.
What has M&, S and Harrods said?
M&, S initially responded to the cyberattack by first letting users know about the breach and halting the affected services. Only two official statements were made since April 25, with the last one being released on April 25. However, communication has since stalled.
The retailer confirmed that it “as a precaution” by shutting down the store’s stock and logistics.
Harrods, in contrast, has not yet disclosed any financial losses. Harrods is “working closely with leading cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to investigate the incident and ensure the integrity of our systems,” according to a spokesperson.
Have there recently been any other cyberattacks of this nature?
Yes . The latest UK retailers to be affected by cyberattacks are M&, S, and Harrods.
Co-op, a British consumer cooperative that runs restaurants, funeral homes, and other businesses, also experienced an attempted breach the same week. Back-office and call center functions were impacted by the IT system shut down. Stores remained open throughout.
In June of this year, a ransomware attack targeted Synnovis, a partner of the UK’s National Health Service, which delayed more than 11, 000 medical appointments while keeping the patient data it relied on private. According to the UK government’s policy against paying cybercriminals, Qilin, the Russian-linked cybercriminal group demanded $50 million to restore access, but Synnovis refused to pay. The group responded by posting the stolen information online, including names, birthdates, NHS information, and information on blood test results.
Finn Russell and Johnny Sexton are “completely different characters,” according to former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw, who believes the pair can put their differences to rest and work together on the British and Irish Lions tour this summer.
Sexton has previously expressed disapproval of Russell, who has been drafted into Andy Farrell’s backroom team for the Australian tour.
The Ireland legend claimed that Warren Gatland’s choice to choose the Scot over him during the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa in his autobiography.
Laidlaw, who was a member of Sexton and Russell’s Lions squad in 2017, is unable to see a situation where his former Scotland team-mate is selected for Farrell’s squad.
According to Laidlaw, “Finn is undoubtedly going to be on that tour,” Laidlaw told BBC Scotland.
“I believe he will find success there based on merit.” He has been fantastic, played well in the third Test, and went on the previous trip.
He is a top player, has excelled for Bath, and is “flying high in the Premiership.”
“I think it lends more to that coaching staff, including Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth, and Jonny Sexton, I believe. That is likely to occur, in my opinion.
“I still see Finn going, probably those two plus Sam Prendergast,” I said. I don’t understand why he won’t be a part of the squad, therefore.
Despite their opposing personalities, Laidlaw believes he could work with Russell despite taking a close look at Sexton during his 2017 tour of New Zealand.
Sexton was the “urgent competitor,” Laidlaw, who trains with the Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan, said.
On that trip, I had the honor of spending time with him, and I definitely learned a lot from him.
He simply isn’t Finn like Finn, though. He obviously takes things seriously. He is simply completely unique.
Would you like to buy some new bedding for your bedroom this spring that doesn’t cost as much as it should? You won’t want to miss this Debenhams sale, then.
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‘Super soft’ luxury bedding set hits Debenhams sale with a mega 50% off(Image: Debenhams)
Nothing can be added to a room’s ensemble like a luxurious bedspread, whether you’re enhancing it or elevating it to your bedroom. And thanks to this Debenhams deal, this Flannel Marl Brushed Cotton Duvet Set may be just the thing for you when it comes to purchasing luxuriously soft bedding that looks expensive but won’t break the bank.
READ MORE: With a £110 saving, book a family-sized pop-up pool for the hottest day of 2025.
READ MORE: “Space-saving” rattan table set looks great on patio and saves a ton on the sale for £420.
This Flannel Marl Super Soft Brushed Cotton Duvet Sets is now 50% off(Image: Debenhams)
With its super-soft, top-notch cotton yarn and gray and beige understated colors, this bedding set maximizes comfort. In the spring and summer heat, it makes for indulgently cozy and snug sleeping that won’t make you sleep all night. The skin is also kept soft thanks to the brushed fabric.
This bedding will look stylish and stylish in any bedroom, much like an expensive set similar to a hotel where you can relax in enduringly soft sheets. It has a subtle, sophisticated appearance that can be layered with other pieces to complement the design of your home.
Any room will look more sophisticated with this understated, chic addition. While Debenhams’ spring sale lasts, this set is currently priced at just £49.99, which is roughly equivalent to between £100 and £120, depending on your choice of size.
One customer who was content with their purchase wrote, “Absolutely love this duvet set I want to get another.”
Another person chimed in with their own accolades, as they put it, “Great quality! I feel cozy because it is so soft and warm.
Continue reading the article.
This Flannel Stripe 100% Brushed Cotton Duvet Set, which is currently on sale for 50% off, is another example of another Debenhams bedding set. You’ll need to order this one quickly, though, because its own colorway has already sold out.
The radical-right Reform UK party has won over local and regional electorates as a powerful political force.
Results from Friday showed that the anti-immigration party took a number of seats on local councils, gained its first mayoralty, and gained a fifth parliamentary seat. Reform hopes to unbalance the country’s traditionally polarized political system, which is currently led by the opposition Conservatives and the ruling Labour Party.
After the party was declared the winner of the Runcorn and Helsby seat, Reform leader Nigel Farage said, “It’s been a huge night for Reform.”
Northwest England, a former center for Labour, received just six votes, resulting in the victory.
In the first polls since last year’s general elections, reform won over a mayoral race in Greater Lincolnshire and the Conservatives a number of council seats.
The outcomes appear to highlight how divided the political landscape in the UK has become.
Labour under Prime Minister Keir Starmer won one of the largest parliamentary majority in British history last year, but the popularity of any newly elected government has fallen the fastest.
Farage, the party’s leader on Brexit, noted that the ruling party’s majority had “collapsed” following Labour’s victory in the previous year’s national election with a majority of almost 15, 000 votes. He has previously allied himself with US President Donald Trump.
The government’s proposed sweeping welfare reforms have alienated the left-wing party’s traditional voter base and swayed some people into voting for Reform. This has led to a decline in support for Labour.
“Soft-touch Britain”
Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative minister who defected to Reform after losing her seat last year, became the party’s most powerful elected official in the region, serving over a million people.
In her victory speech, Jenkyns vowed to end “soft-touch Britain” and said asylum seekers should be held in tents rather than hotels.
She said, “The rebuilding begins here. We’re going to have a Britain where we put the British people first.”
Reform UK is the most recent of a line of parties led by Farage, a seasoned hard-right politician who played a key role in the referendum’s 2016 withdrawal from the UK. He has claimed that many immigrants from “alien to ours” come to the UK as a divisive figure.
Reform, which has pledged to “stop the boats” of undocumented immigrants crossing the English Channel, hopes that winning mayoral elections and gaining councillors will help it advance its grassroots activism in the wake of the upcoming general election, which will likely take place in 2029.
In the elections that are deciding 1, 641 seats in 23 local councils, six mayoralties, and the parliamentary seat, the party hopes to win hundreds of municipal seats.
The club’s sporting director announced on Friday that English centre-back Eric Dier will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Christoph Freund stated that Eric and I have been discussing a potential contract extension.
He informed us that he would leave Bayern at the end of the season and that he would not extend his time there.
Eric Dier’s photo is wonderful. twitter.com/oBwWRvi4wU
Bayern are still in discussions to extend Dier’s contract temporarily to include the Club World Cup, which takes place in the United States from June 14 to July 13.
Under Thomas Tuchel’s direction, Dier signed a loan to Munich in January 2024, making himself a defensive starter alongside Matthijs de Ligt.
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Only 24 hours later, you can feel the club’s warmth and history. I’m eager to begin this new journey and get to work.
I appreciate everyone’s warm welcome.
At the Allianz@FCBayern photo, see you. twitter.com/Pqe0ehpJkG
In the summer of 2024, the 31-year-old signed a one-year deal to complete the transfer.
Vincent Kompany’s current coach, who is less active, has made Dier a key player in helping to cover injuries to Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae.
Eric and I had a great time, according to Freund, who is a 49-time England player, and he should win a title.
At the end of the season, Eric Dier will step down from FC Bayern. pic. twitter.com/QI6WR1tsKi
Dier is expected to sign with Monaco in a deal that will run until the summer of 2027, according to reports in France and Germany.
