There are baby farm animals to cluck at and grown men show off hairy, winter-white thighs in their embroidered leather shorts. Yes, indeed, this is how the German countryside comes to town for Berlin's annual "Grüne Woche" or "Green Week" trade fair.
Only this year, the country folk haven't been quite so delightfully Arcadian. There's traditionally a convoy of tractors in town for the event in support of good environmental causes. But this Green Week, the rustic road hogs have been way more menacing. Farmers have been driving heavy machinery into the central city to protest against government policies.
From early January onwards, long lines of tractors, forklifts and lorries have made for an impressive spectacle outside federal government buildings, as well as some gnarly traffic jams. As many as 100,000 tractors and 30,000 demonstrators were involved in protests around the country.
Denne historien er fra February 03-09, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra February 03-09, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
