Italy’s right-wing parties have criticised their rivals’ plans as they scramble to form a centre-left coalition and attempt to block fresh elections.
As the leaders of Italy’s different political blocs meet with the country’s president Sergio Mattarella following the resignation of prime minister Giuseppe Conte earlier this week, the country’s far-right have accused the country’s centre left Democratic Party (PD) and Five Star Movement (M5S) of ignoring the desires of the electorate.
Both the centre left PD and the populist, anti-establishment M5S outperformed the country’s far-right, anti-immigrant League party in Italy’s 2018 elections. In the intervening 18 months, however, Lega, led by deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, has been in the ascendancy.
All of Mr Salvini’s recent political manoeuvring, including his decision to self-destruct the populist coalition between League and M5S at the beginning of August, has been based on the calculation that his party would emerge as the most powerful party in fresh elections.
As such League has found itself courted by both the centre-right party Fortza Italia, led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Fratelli d’Italia (FDI), an extreme right-wing party that has openly praised Italy’s wartime fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
"The elections are today the only possible outcome, respectful of Italy, its interests, its people and the constitution," FDI leader Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday according to the Italian news agency ANSA. "We say no to a government that has a majority in Parliament but not among citizens. It would be disrespectful of the popular will and our democracy," she added.
At the same time Nicola Zingaretti, the leader of the PD, said he had informed Mr Mattarella of his party’s inclination to form a new government. “A breakthrough government is needed, alternative to the right, with a new, solid program, a broad parliamentary base which will give hope to the Italians,” Mr Zingaretti said.
“If these conditions do not exist, all to be verified, the natural outcome of the crisis is new early elections,” he added.
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Spec%20sheet
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Spider-Man%202
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
