German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was facing a revolt on several fronts on Monday as angry farmers blockaded roads and an upstart new party vowed to take on the "ineptitude and arrogance" of Berlin's ruling class.
The new left-wing party unveiled an Iranian-born engineer, Shervin Haghsheno, as part of its leadership team as he revealed he was entering politics to "protect democracy" from decaying voter trust.
Train drivers are also going on strike in a week of unrest, which some fear will be exploited by extremists amid broad discontent at Mr Scholz’s government.
Monday dawned with a line of tractors blocking the road to Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in sub-zero temperatures, with motorways jammed during rush hour across Germany.
The farmers are up in arms at a planned diesel tax rise by Mr Scholz’s government, which they say would raise food prices, worsen cost-of-living problems and threaten German agriculture.
The new party led by left-wing firebrand Sahra Wagenknecht voiced solidarity with the farmers as it unveiled its agenda in Berlin.
"Many people feel the same way in this country, even if many have not yet taken their anger to the streets," said Ms Wagenknecht, who is part-Iranian herself.
"They are living under a government that has no plan other than to take ever scarcer money from their pockets. They are living under a Chancellor who often seems lost for words, even when he gives long speeches.
"We have formed the new party so that we can overcome this mistaken politics, the ineptitude and arrogance in Berlin’s government district, which divides our country, squanders our future and endangers our democracy."
Her new movement, the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), is a splinter group from struggling party The Left, which descends from the ruling communists in the former East Germany where she grew up.
Political novice Mr Haghsheno, who was born in Tehran and moved to Germany aged 10, called for a return to diplomacy and detente in foreign policy as he was unveiled as a BSW deputy leader.
"As someone who remembers growing up in a country at war, I am shocked that our foreign and security policy is ever more orientated around Germany being involved in military operations," he said.
Mr Haghsheno, 48, spoke of failures in integration policy as he called for improved education and "rational policies" that restore voter trust.
New figures published on Monday revealed more than 350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany last year, a rise of 51 per cent. People from Syria accounted for more than 100,000 of the cases. Mr Scholz has been under pressure to stem the flow of arrivals.
"The majority has lost trust in these established parties," Mr Haghsheno said. "I, too, have lost trust in recent years."
The tax on farmers is meant to raise money after judges blew a €60 billion ($65.65 billion) hole in the budget by ruling ministers could not repurpose Covid-19 funds, in an embarrassment for Mr Scholz.
An offer to slow the tax change until 2026 has failed to quell the rural revolt, with the German Farmers’ Association saying it is fighting for “more appreciation” as well as jobs and incomes.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has campaigned heavily on the costs of green measures, said it supports the farmers “taking to the streets representing large parts of society”.
The farmers insist they do not want right-wing extremists to “co-opt our protest for their vile objectives” but the increasingly bitter mood has led to fears of radicalisation.
In one ugly incident last week, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck was harassed by rural protesters as he disembarked a ferry, prompting much concern about the health of democratic debate in Germany.
"We cannot allow extremists to hijack this insecurity,” Mr Habeck said on Monday as he warned of "revolutionary fantasies" among the protests.
Right-wing extremists are hoping for a “Day X scenario” in which the state loses control and a new totalitarian regime can be installed, said senior liberal MP Konstantin Kuhle, referring to alleged plots uncovered by security services.
The AfD and other far-right groups are using messenger apps to “mix and consolidate the most diverse causes into a form of political general strike”, Mr Kuhle said.
The Infratest dimap pollster published a survey last week showing 82 per cent of Germans were dissatisfied with the government, with Mr Scholz's personal ratings at their lowest ebb yet. Asked whether they saw the situation in Germany with confidence or concern, 83 per cent chose the latter.
The AfD is riding a high in the polls, with Ms Wagenknecht positioning her new party as an anti-establishment alternative without far-right trappings. Mr Scholz's Social Democrats are on a mere 14 per cent.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
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The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
