If you live in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland or Greece, you may well have already run into one of the numerous roadblocks or protests formed in recent weeks by furious farmers. If you’re in Spain and Italy, take cover – because they are coming to you soon, if not already.
In this week’s cover story, we explore what has proved to be the final straw for Europe’s farmers. A combination of rising costs, environmental rules and grievances over EU policies, coupled with more localised complaints, seem to be the factors driving the convoys of tractors. But far-right and anti-establishment parties, who could make major gains in forthcoming European parliament elections, have also picked up on the protests as part of their agenda against EU influence.
Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis and Europe correspondent Jon Henley delve into the protests (if not the piles of steaming dung being dumped on the continent’s roads, as illustrated wonderfully by Neil Jamieson on this week’s cover), and ask what can be done to placate them.
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Five essential reads in this week’s edition
1
Middle East | Could a new region emerge?
Julian Borger examines how US president Joe Biden hopes to recast the Middle East via diplomatic incentives, while gaining political capital at home in an election year
2
Europe | England’s councils in crisis
A Guardian special investigation detailing the financial crisis hitting England’s local councils and what it means for the communities they serve
3
Feature | Can anything stop the AI deepfakes?
With Taylor Swift the latest victim of AI-generated porn, Emine Saner asks whether renewed pressure on social media companies could force them to take it seriously.
4
Opinion | It’s a plutocrat’s world – and dissenters are swiftly crushed
Around the world, those who challenge rich corporations are being hounded and crushed with ever-more inventive penalties, argues George Monbiot. (Do you agree? Tell us what you think on our Letters page.)
5
Culture | The triumphant return of the Pet Shop Boys
After four decades at the pinnacle of pop, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe talk to Laura Snapes about their forthcoming 15th album.
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What else we’ve been reading
Since the start of the year, Guardian columnist Rhik Samadder has been charting his attempts to break his phone addiction. Looking back on his detox, he concludes: “The shiny, infinite-content machine is not a muse, cold lover or nemesis. It’s a tool. More than anything else, it’s a barometer of my discontent.” Clare Horton, Guardian Weekly assistant editor
This thought-provoking feature on a successful intergenerational care facility in the north of England really brightened up my lunch break. Quite simply, older residents spending time with young nursery children has led to improvements in all of their lives and I hope it’s still up and running when it’s time for me to down tools! Emily El Nusairi, Guardian Weekly deputy production editor
I greatly enjoyed Donald McRae’s interview with Warrington darts wunderkind Luke Littler. It perfectly captured the bemusement and joy of a teenage prodigy upending the established pillars of a professional sport. Graham Snowdon, Guardian Weekly editor
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Other highlights from the Guardian website
• Audio | The disposable vape ban
• Video | Rowdy Flock: a daughter, her dreams, and a sheep farm in Norway
• Gallery | Ali Smith’s 90s New York punk scene – a photo essay
• Interactive | Men’s transfer window January 2024 – all deals from Europe’s top five football leagues
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