Day: April 8, 2023

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (A) FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 03/05/2024 UNTIL 0600 04/05/2024 Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards. Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times. Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1005hPa (hectopascal) Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased cloud coverage. Tonight, locally increased low cloud coverage will be present at times over the western and northern coastal areas. WARNING NR: 6 VALID FROM: 031100 (L.T.) TILL: 031800 (L.T.) STRONG AND LOCALLY AT TIMES STRONG TO NEAR GALE SOUTHWESTERLY TO WESTERLY WINDS FORCE 6 AND LOCALLY AT TIMES 6 TO 7 BEAUFORT ARE EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE SOUTHERN AND LOCALLY THE WESTERN COASTAL AREAS. THE STATE OF THE SEA WILL BE MODERATE TO ROUGH. Visibility: Good, at times moderate Sea surface temperature: 21°C Warnings: WARNING NR: 6 VALID FROM: 031100 (L.T.) TILL: 031800 (L.T.) Source: Cyprus News Agency

Department of Meteorology Today's weather and temperatures for Cyprus according to the Department of Meteorology Date 03/05/2024 Station TEMPERATURE (C) (FROM 20:00 PC of the previous one until the time of the show) Highest Lowest Humidity at 1200 UTC Nicosia (Athalassa) 29 (28.9) 15 (14.5) 30 Larnaka Airport 29 (28.8) 16 (15.9) 56 Limassol (New Port) 27 (26.6) 17 (16.7) 57 Limassol Garden 28,6 17,5 Pafos Airport 25 (24.7) 18 (18) 76 Frenaros 29 (28.6) 18 (17.5) 57 Prodromos 23 (22.5) 12 (12.2) 36 Polis Pafos 27 (27.2) 19 (18.6) 54 Source: Cyprus News Agency

Patrick Child, the European Commission's Deputy Director General for Environment and EU Mission manager for climate-neutral and smart cities said he is impressed with level of ambition in Limassol on climate transition. He was addressing the Cyprus Forum Cities, a two-day conference, taking place in Limassol and organized by non-governmental organization Oxygono and Cyprus University of Technology, with the aim to provide an opportunity for the formation of a long-term plan for the development of the cities and rural areas of Cyprus. In a video message, Child remarked 'we are living through unprecedented and challenging times.' 'Cities are disproportionally impacted by these challenges. We must therefore do all we can to help them become climate neutral and sustainable within the shortest possible time so we can reach the time set by the European Green Deal to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050.' As he noted, today cities account for more than 70% of global Co2 emissions and consume over 65% of the world energy. 'The climate neutral and smart cities mission aims to deliver a 100 climate neutral and smart cities by 2030. And we want to empower these cities to act as role models for all EU cities to become climate neutral by 2050,' he added. Stating that his is 'particularly impressed by the level of ambition in Limassol,' Child congratulated Limassol 'as being the only Cypriot city that is selected for the mission.' 'Limassol is an excellent example of activating local stake holders and connecting to wide national networks,' he went on to say, expressing hope that Limassol will be able to inspire other cities in Cyprus to accelerate their efforts on climate transition too. 'Cities need to have closer engagement with their national governments and stronger support from the political level. This is vital for the success of the mission,' he concluded. On his part, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, First Vice President of the Committee of the Regions and Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece, congratulated the city of Limassol and it's Mayor Nikos Nicolaides on the inclusion among the 100 climate neutral and smart cities of Europe, noting that he is aware of the particular challenges that islands face. 'As an island you are further exposed to the consequences of the climate change. At the same time, you are a living lab and your forward-looking vision represents an added value for all Europeans,' he said, adding that 'your engagement in mobilizing other Cyprus Municipalities is commendable.' The CoR Vice President noted that the Missions set out bold, measurable targets to deliver tangible incomes and outcomes in a well-defined timeframe for all Europeans, adding that they aim to pull the necessary resources in terms of funding programs, policies and regulations and they aim at mobilizing public and private actors in order to achieve these targets. Tzitzikostas assured that 'we remain at your service as we are your voice in Brussels all throughout this process.' Moreover, he reiterated once more 'that it is totally unacceptable in 2023, EU territory to be under occupation.' 'That Cyprus, a European member state suffers this unprecedented condition,' he said adding that 'it is time now for Europe to act and as President Christodoulides states, the EU has to assume responsibility and finally take an initiative in order to reach a just and vital solution for Cyprus.' Nicos Nicolaides, Mayor of Limassol, said in his address, that problems like climate change require global action and that that 'at the same time the involvement of cities is very crucial, because solving these problems requires large social concessions and the only way to achieve that is through local authorities.' 'So never before,' he said, 'I think, local authorities - cities and regions - have such an importance as today. And this importance is greatly acknowledged by the EU and there are a number of programs which try to empower cities and regions to undertake this very important role in addressing global problems.' He also pointed out that climate change is to a great extend created by cities so it is the cities that have to solve it and the only way to solve it is though cooperation, through uniting forces, through taking advantage of all the knowledge that is around. Nicolaides stated that that cities like Limassol and most of the cities in Greece and in other countries are perhaps in a disadvantage compared to cities of Northern Europe, which have started the target of climate neutrality many years ago and they had a lot of time for their societies to absorb the changes. 'We don't have this time but we have another advantage. This is the advantage of making use of the example of these cities. And I think that the most important weapon we have is our cooperation and the opportunity to share experiences and good practices,' he concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

CYPRUS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST FOR THE SEA AREA OF CYPRUS (B) FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1200 03/05/2024 UNTIL 1200 04/05/2024 Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards. Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times. Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1006hPa (hectopascal) Weak low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine with locally increased low cloud coverage at times, over the west, the south and the north. WARNING NR: 6 VALID FROM: 031100 (L.T.) TILL: 031800 (L.T.) STRONG AND LOCALLY AT TIMES STRONG TO NEAR GALE SOUTHWESTERLY TO WESTERLY WINDS FORCE 6 AND LOCALLY AT TIMES 6 TO 7 BEAUFORT ARE EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE SOUTHERN AND LOCALLY THE WESTERN COASTAL AREAS. THE STATE OF THE SEA WILL BE MODERATE TO ROUGH. Visibility: Good, at times moderate Sea surface temperature: 21°C Warnings: WARNING NR: 6 VALID FROM: 031100 (L.T.) TILL: 031800 (L.T.) Source: Cyprus News Agency

US President Joe Biden will give a key address at Ulster University's newly opened Belfast campus next week, it has been confirmed.

He is visiting NI and the Republic of Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

His speech at UU's £350m campus, understood to be his sole NI engagement, will take place on Wednesday.

He is expected to leave Northern Ireland that afternoon.

Mr Biden will also attend engagements in Dublin, County Louth, and County Mayo during his four-day visit.

Announcing the Belfast speech, UU vice-chancellor and president Prof Paul Bartholomew said the university was "looking forward to what will be a very special day in [its] history and to hosting President Biden on his first visit to Northern Ireland since becoming president".

The university's Belfast campus, which opened last autumn, "truly reflects the hope and promise" of the Good Friday Agreement "and our aspirations for a positive, prosperous, and sustainable future for everyone", he added.

It is believed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will also be in Northern Ireland for Mr Biden's visit.

On Saturday Louth County Council confirmed Mr Biden will visit both Dundalk and Carlingford, close to the border with Northern Ireland.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported his visit to the Republic of Ireland may include government receptions at Farmleigh House and Dublin Castle.

It is also believed the US president will attend the Irish presidential residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, to meet Michael D Higgins.

White House spokesperson John Kirby said Mr Biden was expected to address the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) on Thursday.

He will become the fourth US president to do so, following John F Kennedy on 28 June 1963, Ronald Reagan on 4 June 1984 and Bill Clinton on 1 December 1995.

'Looking ahead'

It has also been confirmed that Mr Biden will be in County Mayo on Friday, where he will speak at an event outside St Muredach's Cathedral, Ballina.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said he was "delighted" Mr Biden would be visiting Ireland.

"When we spoke recently in the White House, President Biden was clear that in celebrating the Good Friday Agreement, we should be looking ahead, not backwards," he said.

The involvement of the United States and of Mr Biden personally had been "essential to the peace process in Ireland", he added.

BBC News NI understands Joe Kennedy III, the US special envoy for Northern Ireland, will accompany President Biden on his visit.

It will be his first trip to Northern Ireland since taking up the post of special envoy in December.

Mr Kennedy will stay in Northern Ireland for several days after President Biden travels to the Republic of Ireland, it is understood.

On Thursday Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Asst Ch Constable Chris Todd said the visit would require a security operation on a scale not seen in Northern Ireland since the G8 summit in 2013.

Source: BBC

A 26-year-old man has appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court charged with stabbing a woman to death in the Republic of Ireland.

The body of 27-year-old Geila Ibram, who was originally from Romania, was found in an apartment block in Limerick city on Tuesday afternoon.

Habib Shamel was arrested in the Malone area of south Belfast on Thursday.

The court heard he was seen on CCTV on the morning of the murder arranging a "sexual exchange" with the victim.

Mr Shamel was then seen arriving at the victim's address at 13:28 local time, leaving just over a minute later.

The court was told that Mr Shamel stabbed Ms Ibram "numerous times in the neck, face and abdomen in a frenzied attack" during this time.

It is also heard that he injured his hand in the attack and attended hospital in Limerick.

He then left all his identification in Limerick and travelled north on a bus with a companion, the court was told.

'Dangerous human being'

It is understood Mr Shamel is an Afghani national who claimed asylum in the Republic of Ireland in October 2020.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had been helping An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force) with the murder investigation.

A PSNI detective told the court Mr Shamel was a "volatile and dangerous human being, with a real danger of reoffending".

"Mr Shamel had no regard for human life and safety," the detective added.

Mr Shamel was charged under the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975, which allows the PSNI to prosecute in Northern Ireland if a suspect has fled from a different jurisdiction.

In denying bail, the judge said there was a "strong prosecution case" and Mr Shamel "was far too high a risk".

He will appear in court again via video link on 2 May.

Source: BBC

Ukraine is able to export electricity for the first time in six months as its energy infrastructure recovers from months of repeated Russian attacks.

Russia began its lengthy and deliberate assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure last October.

It led to power cuts and scheduled blackouts, leaving towns and cities in darkness during winter.

Ukraine was forced to stop electricity exports - but will now be able to sell its excess power again.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko signed an executive order authorising the exports, although local customers remain the priority.

He said the system had been producing extra capacity for almost two months and that Ukrainians were not facing restrictions.

"The most difficult winter has passed," Mr Halushchenko said on Friday.

"The next step is to start exporting electricity, which will allow us to attract additional financial resources for the necessary reconstruction of the destroyed and damaged energy infrastructure."

He also praised the "titanic work" of engineers and international partners to restore the system.

Last month, residents across Ukraine told the BBC that power supplies were becoming more reliable.

"The city has transformed," said Inna Shtanko, a young mother in Dnipro. "Finally, street lights are back, and it's no longer scary to walk the city streets."

However, the operator of the country's electricity network, Ukrenergo, has warned that Ukraine could not count on Russian attacks stopping.

Ukrenergo said on Saturday that Russia has launched more than 1,200 missiles and drones at its energy facilities so far during the war.

The company described the assault as the largest attempt to destroy a European country's energy system.

In cities across Ukraine this winter, some civilians had to use hubs known as "resilience centres" to keep warm during power cuts and freezing temperatures.

The hubs provided power and heat, as well as basic supplies like food and medicines.

Every one of Ukraine's thermal and hydroelectric power plants has been damaged since Russia began targeting energy infrastructure.

Kyiv has also lost control of Europe's biggest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, which is in Russian hands.

In June 2022, Ukraine had said it was hoping to bring in €1.5bn (£1.33bn) from electricity exports to the EU - its main export market for energy since the war began - by the end of the year.

With a dusting of fresh winter snow settling around us and the crackle of electricity loud in the wires over our heads, Michael runs his gloved fingers over golf ball-sized holes in the crippled hulk of a huge transformer.

"Here, and here, and here," he says, as he shows where shrapnel from a Russian missile punctured the transformer's thick sides.

Sharp metal fragments of the missile lie on the ground nearby.

Along the way, other transformers as big as bungalows are disappearing behind protective cocoons of concrete and sandbags.

Source: BBC

Perched on a cliff in the Bavarian Alps near Füssen, Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is the epitome of the idyllic. Its spires soar to the heavens, while the surrounding landscapes are an invitation to daydreaming. It's the stuff of fairytales, so much so, that the man who had it built is dubbed the "fairytale king" — Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was born in 1845.

"Neuschwanstein is nestled in this Alpine landscape. Reminiscent of a theatrical setting, Ludwig II aimed to unite architecture, art and landscapes into a Gesamtkunstwerk — a complete artwork," Alexander Wiesneth, of the Bavarian Palace Administration, told DW.

Envisioned as a place of refuge

Just weeks after the mysterious death of Ludwig II in 1886, Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. It was an ironic twist of fate, as the king had it built as a private refuge for himself, desperately seeking solitude.

Modeled as a medieval knight's castle, inspiration for Neuschwanstein came during Ludwig II's travels in 1867 to Wartburg Castle near Eisenach, Germany and to Chateau de Pierrefonds in France.

As the eccentric Ludwig II himself wrote to his revered friend, opera composer Richard Wagner, in May 1868:

"It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin […] near the Pöllat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles, and I must confess to you that I am looking forward very much to living there one day," as the Bavarian Palace Administration notes.

A tribute to composer Richard Wagner

Construction of the "new castle" that was to include 200 rooms began in September 1869 and continued over decades, but was never fully completed.

The building melded various styles that included towers, chapels and arches, but also featured modern achievements like central heating, flushing toilets and a bell system to summon servants.

Neuschwanstein's design was also dedicated to Wagner, whose operas "Tannhäuser," "Lohengrin" and "Parsifal" profoundly influenced Ludwig.

The Singers' Hall boasts gilded frameworks and frescoes depicting knights, courtly love and other legends of medieval times, like the Holy Grail. The ceiling reveals zodiac signs, while wall images show Parsifal's son, the "Swan Knight" Lohengrin. Ludwig II himself had identified with such figures since his youth.

Mysterious death of Ludwig II

Yet, these majestic rooms, like the Throne Hall and the Ballroom — begging to be filled with illustrious guests and lavish parties — remained empty. After all, the king wanted his peace.

With construction of Neuschwanstein dragging on over many years, Ludwig himself only lived at Neuschwanstein briefly, before his baffling death at the age of 40 — officially ruled to be a suicide by drowning, a theory that has however been disputed.

Ludwig II's lifeless body was discovered floating in Lake Starnberg, near Munich, together with the corpse of his physician, after the two had set out on an evening stroll in June 1886.

Depot for artworks looted by Nazis

However, it is not just Neuschwanstein's lavish, fairy-tale design that gained the castle fame.

Its role as a depot for Nazi-looted artworks during World War II has also made it rather infamous, as featured in George Clooney's 2014 film "The Monuments Men."

After German troops invaded neighboring France in 1940, Adolf Hitler authorized the taskforce led by Alfred Rosenberg to "search libraries, archives, lodges and other philosophical and cultural institutions of all kinds for appropriate material and to seize such material," which included cultural holdings by Jews, as noted on the Smithsonian Institution's American Archives of Art and at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum sites.

Between 1940 and 1945, Nazi officials transferred stolen valuables, primarily from Jews, to locations throughout Europe, and later, to Germany, including salt mines, monasteries and castles.

Neuschwanstein Castle was ideal as a depot and site for the Rosenberg taskforce headquarters. Tucked away near the Austrian border, far from the capital Berlin or other likely Allied targets, it provided ample space.

Unearthing the looted treasures

Ultimately, when Allied forces stormed Neuschwanstein in 1945, they unearthed catalogues, photo slides and lists documenting over 20,000 artworks and other pieces that had been stolen by the Nazis, including Rothschild jewelry and furniture, as well as the "Ghent Altarpiece" masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers.

Many of these items had stemmed from France. It was due to the valiant efforts of French curator Rose Valland that the Allied task force discovered the Neuschwanstein cache in the first place, said one of the "Monuments Men," art historian S. Lane Faison Jr., in an interview found at the Archives of American Art.

"She pretended to be a [Nazi] collaborator," Faison noted of Valland, who worked at the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris, one of the Nazis' collection points before they shipped stolen wares to Germany.

For years, Valland had secretly tracked where the art was being transported and her meticulous records auspiciously landed in the hands of Allied forces.

Toward the end of the war, the Munich Central Collecting Point (MCCP) was established, with the aim of returning artworks looted by the Nazis to their rightful owners.

Matthias Memmel, responsible for provenance research at the Bavarian Palace Administration, stressed to DW with regard to "The Monuments Men" that "Neuschwanstein Castle was happy to cooperate with the film project, as it made the historical merit of the American Allies, the 'Monuments Men,' better known to a broad international public."

Maria Blenk, Bavarian Palace Administration museum specialist, explained to DW that visitors do ask questions about Neuschwanstein and the Second World War. "Americans in particular, but also British people, remember the history of the 'Monuments Men' and many have or had family members who were stationed in Bavaria, so they are interested in the more recent history of Neuschwanstein."

A look to the future

Neuschwanstein was only one of Ludwig II's lavish construction projects. Others include the rococo Linderhof Palace and the baroque Herrenchiemsee Palace. Together, they are up in a bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Whether the dream of a king, the site of a former Nazi-looted art depot or being the inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty castles, Neuschwanstein remains in the imaginations of many. As the Bavarian Palace Administration's Alexander Wiesneth notes, the similarity between King Ludwig II and Walt Disney is clear: Their vision of architecture was about "telling a story."

Ten reasons to travel to Germany

From the Elbphilharmonie to Bavarian bratwurst, there are many reasons to visit Germany. Here are some of the top sites that can't be missed.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Perched on the edge of the Alps, the fairy-tale like Neuschwanstein Castle is famous around the world and even inspired Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" castle. King Ludwig II of Bavaria had it built starting in 1869 as an idealized image of a medieval knight's castle. It was intended to be a retreat for the reclusive king. He planned 200 rooms, but only 15 of them were completed before his death.

Bavarian culture

The culture of the southeastern state of Bavaria has come to represent Germany around the world. Folk music, hearty cuisine, beer, dirndls and lederhosen are some of the typical hallmarks of Bavarian culture found in beer gardens around the region — or at the Oktoberfest in Munich, which has been held every year since 1810, with the exception of the coronavirus pandemic period.

Mainau Island

The flower island of Mainau, located in Lake Constance, changes its look each season. In spring, millions of colorful flowers can be seen reaching towards the sun, and in autumn over 11,000 dahlias are in bloom. Visitors can also check out a palm house and butterfly house, as well as a small farm and a castle. Plus, there's no shortage of magnificent views over Lake Constance.

Mosel Valley

As far back as 2,000 years ago, wine was cultivated by the Romans on the steep slopes of the Mosel, Germany's oldest wine-growing area. This western region is worth a trip not only for its wine, but also for its beautiful landscapes. Numerous picturesque towns line the Moselle river, including popular destinations for excursions such as Trier, Bernkastel-Kues or the Cochem castle (pictured).

Cologne Cathedral

At 157 meters (515 feet), this impressive church towers over the city of Cologne. Yet the landmark was a long time in the making — it took 632 years to build. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is considered to be a perfect example of Gothic architecture. It also holds treasures such as the Shrine of the Three Kings, traditionally believed to contain the bones of the Biblical Magi.

Saxon Switzerland

Rugged cliffs, bizarre sandstone formations and large beech forests make up the landscape of one of Germany's best-known national parks. The entire region offers plenty of options for tourists. One can hike in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and enjoy the view of the Bastei (pictured), take a climbing course, stroll through historic Pirna or ride the nostalgic Kirnitzschtalbahn tramway.

Frauenkirche in Dresden

The city of Dresden was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, including the landmark Frauenkirche. The church's ruins served as a memorial for decades, but thanks to the help of donations, the building was restored and opened to the public in 2005. Now, thousands of visitors visit the impressive baroque church in the city's old town, which holds masses as well as concerts.

Brandenburger Tor

Until the 19th century, Berlin was surrounded by a wall with 18 gates that served as entrances to the city. All were demolished, except for the Brandenburg Gate. It survived World War II, then stood on the border between East and West Berlin. Today, it is a symbol of German unity and one of Germany's most famous landmarks.

Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie

After delays, Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie officially opened at the beginning of 2017. With its main concert hall designed by star architecture firm Herzog and De Meuron, the gleaming glass wave built atop a brick warehouse attracts more than a million visitors to its concerts and events every year. Don't miss visiting the Plaza, an observation deck with great views of the harbor.

North Sea and Baltic Sea

The landscape in northern Germany is characterized by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The islands of Sylt, Fehmarn, Rügen and Usedom are particularly popular with tourists. The Wadden Sea, part of the North Sea, is particularly unique: Here during low tide, the sea retreats up to 40 kilometers (24 miles). It is home to countless plant and animal species and is protected by UNESCO.

Source: Deutsche Welle

According to recent crime statistics released by the German police, 41.1% of those who distribute pornographic content depicting children and teens are themselves minors. Often, they don't even realize they're committing a criminal offense by sharing such content on WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and other online platforms.

The figure has raised the alarm in Germany as to how ingrained pornography is in the everyday lives of young people, and even children.

It's important, however, to make clear a crucial distinction: child and youth pornography shows acts of sexualized violence and the violation of boundaries involving minors. Experts refer to such material as child abuse pictures — producing, distributing and providing access to such material is a criminal offense. Pornography depicting adults, however, is legal. But making such content available to children and youths is also a criminal offense.

While the publication of the statistics have put German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser in an awkward position, the news wasn't a surprise to psychologist and psychotherapist Tabea Freitag. The head of the a media addiction center in Hanover called return calls it the "iceberg phenomenon."

Freitag said those who consume and share child pornography have usually been desensitized by watching hours and hours of legal adult pornography beforehand — even though, according to article 184 of the German criminal code, it's illegal to make such content accessible to anyone under 18.

"On average, children are about 11 years old when they first come into contact with pornography, often because they have their own smartphone and are frequently left alone with their experiences on the internet," she told DW.

"We are witnessing a huge, albeit taboo, abuse crisis in society; exposing children to pornography is a form of sexual abuse. It has a massive impact on their psychosocial and sexual development."

Porn creates a warped image of sex

Freitag said she knew of families in which children had reenacted scenes from pornography to their siblings. She also said that during the COVID pandemic, she received calls from concerned parents and social workers telling her that after months of consuming pornography, girls were offering themselves as sex objects by sending personal pictures and videos to men.

She explained that many girls and young women were experiencing more and more violence in their sexual relationships, and at times felt the huge pressure of expectations.

"Pornography is primarily made for men; experience shows that it changes the way boys perceive girls, with female classmates increasingly being perceived as sexualized objects," said Freitag. "Girls, on the other hand, think they are expected to do certain things that they find really painful or disgusting because they think that is what is expected of them, and they fear they will be seen as prude, or will perhaps lose their relationship."

A January 2023 study by the Children's Commissioner for England found that 47% of respondents aged 16-21"stated that girls 'expect' sex to involve physical aggression," while "a further 42% stated that most girls 'enjoy' acts of sexual aggression."

According to another study conducted in the US, 13% of sexually active girls aged 14 to 17 said they had been choked during sex — and that pornographic material often suggested this was a natural part of sexual activity.

"My younger return colleagues who go out to schools to prevent the consumption of porn tell me that teenagers are grateful someone is finally talking about this," said Freitag. "It's a huge challenge for them, for which they hold no responsibility, and they deserve respect because they are the first generation to grow up with such content so freely available, and to have to deal with it."

Freitag: Media literacy skills not the answer

In view of this alarming situation, some experts are calling for a ban on smartphones for children under 14. Others want to see awareness campaigns on social media, radio and television. And some researchers have advocated for strengthening the media literacy skills of children and young people, so that they are better equipped to deal with online pornography. Freitag, however, said media literacy is not the answer.

"This term is often bandied about when adults don't want to take responsibility for protecting children from content that violates boundaries, that is abusive and traumatic. This puts the entire responsibility on the narrow shoulders of children and said they must learn to reflect on this themselves, protect themselves and accomplish things that even adults can't manage," she said. "It's kind of like teaching 10-year-olds how a car works, and then putting them in the car and letting them drive on the highway."

Freitag doubts children and young people will be better protected from pornographic content in the future. She said the pandemic already showed that the well-being of children is low on the list of priorities. But the main issue for Freitag is that porn remains a taboo subject, and studies show that adults who consume porn more often are less interested in protecting children. She said a good start would be for educational institutions to closely monitor what's happening.

"In schools, the policy is digitalization first — in reality, however, this usually means child protection last. It would be possible and a political decision to oblige suppliers and companies that provide schools with tablets to install filters. The very least would be to take article 184 of the German criminal code seriously, and say we will not introduce any tablets until effective protective filters are installed," she said.

'There has to be age verification' for pornography

Freitag is pinning her hopes on Tobias Schmid, a man she said has for years been almost alone in his fight to stop pornogaphy providers from making violent pornographic content accessible to minors. In this uneven power struggle Schmid, the head of North Rhine-Westphalia's Dusseldorf-based Media Authority, has been able to deal online platforms a serious blow.

The Higher Regional Court of North Rhine-Westphalia has ruled that these platforms do not meet requirements set out by German law to protect children and teenagers. In future, it will no longer be enough for platforms to request that users confirm they are 18 years or older with a single click.

"Pornography itself is not forbidden, but there has to be age verification," said Schmid. "Currently, there's just a button that says, 'Yes, I'm 18.' That's not an age verification system, it's a joke, and of course it's not enough. We know they have had a checking system for a long time, they just need to put it into practice more rigorously."

Forcing platforms to act

Porn platforms are still playing for time, fearing that age verification mechanisms will also scare off adult users. Calling this foot-dragging impertinent and brazen, Schmid said he hoped the court ruling would send a signal that would lead to better protection for children and young people, not only in Germany but throughout Europe.

"With regulators from Luxembourg, Austria, Italy and France, we have asked the European Commission to take action against platforms with the widest reach, the so-called very large online platforms that have more than 45 million users," he said. "It always takes a bit for a process to pick up speed at the beginning, but now it's unstoppable."

Schmid said the move was long overdue, considering that children no longer accessed the internet through computers and under parental supervision but through mobile phones. Almost 90% of 10 to 12-year-olds in Germany now have their own smartphone.

Schmid said there was a growing realization that even the internet, which offers plenty of opportunity but is also a place of hatred, incitement to violence, crime and child pornography, could be subjected to binding rules. In particular, he hopes for two things:

"Firstly, to be able to instruct credit card providers to stop offering their services for such platforms, as already happens with regard to gambling, for example. And secondly, the possibility of serious sanctions such as fines or reduction of profits. Blocking access, which we can already do, deeply encroaches on the fundamental right to media freedom and should remain a last resort for absolute emergencies."

Source: Deutsche Welle