Over 48 hours this week, two sharply contrasting images emerged, offering a disturbing reflection of the current state of the world. They served as a stark reminder of two vehemently opposed forces of light and darkness, which are pulling the world in different directions. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel, sometimes dubbed the leader of the free world, announced on Monday that she would be stepping down this year as leader of her CDU party. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, incendiary demagogue Jair Bolsonaro was elected as Brazil's next president. For years, Ms Merkel has been a beacon of decency in a Europe beset by reactionary nativism. But the ongoing collapse of centrism still found its way to her door. Steve Bannon, the far-right former adviser to US President Donald Trump, recently remarked that "the populist revolt now burns like a prairie fire from Europe to North America to South America". With Mr Bolsonaro's rise and Ms Merkel's simultaneous fall, it is increasingly hard to disagree.
In expediting Ms Merkel's departure, disappointing electoral performances for her ruling coalition in Hesse and Bavaria this month and in federal elections last September mark the end of an era for Germany, Europe and the world. Ms Merkel has already served for an impressive 13 years and intends to stay on as chancellor until her term ends in 2021. But that will depend on whoever her CDU elects to replace her as party leader. The elevation of Jens Spahn or Friedrich Merz – an antagonist and outright opponent respectively – could spell Ms Merkel's accelerated fall.
But the world should remember that the German chancellor has served Europe well while others have sought to derail it. From Brexit to Italy's downturn, to the rise of Mr Trump and the intransigence of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's Vladimir Putin, Ms Merkel has often shouldered the responsibilities of European leadership alone. Today, little happens in the bloc without Berlin's approval and so her demise is a blow to the European project itself.
For many across the world, Ms Merkel’s decision after 2015 to welcome a million migrants to Germany while others in Europe were building fences was her crowning achievement. But for millions of Germans, it was her death knell. Three years on, around the world, the populists are winning. While Ms Merkel opened her arms to those fleeing war, Mr Bolsonaro pronounced them “scum of the earth” and drew more than 57 million votes.
The liberal international order that dominated Europe following the Second World War is crumbling. A fresh spotlight will be shone on French President Emmanuel Macron, who rode a pro-EU wave to victory but has been mired in internal disputes since. There is a danger that someone dealing in hatred and fear might fill the vacuum, jeopardising the European project. And further afield, the populists march on.
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Teaching in coronavirus times
Company%20Profile
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: AF Senad, Nathan Crosse (jockey), Kareem Ramadan (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ashjaan, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Amirah, Conner Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Jap Al Yaasoob, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.
4pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Manhunter, Ryan Curatolo, Mujeeb Rahman.
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
MATCH INFO
Red Star Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight (Thursday), UAE
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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Company%20Profile
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