In a world where optimism can feel in short supply, it’s a pleasure to run a cover story that reflects the politics of hope. Last weekend’s elections in Turkey signalled a swing by voters away from the attempted power-grab of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and towards a more pluralistic vision of Turkish society. Erdogan’s Justice and Development party will still lead the country in a coalition, but for now, at least, explain Istanbul correspondent Constanze Letsch and Ian Traynor, his dictatorial vision for the country has been mothballed.
Aside from an inevitable racial imbalance, perhaps the most telling fact revealed by The Counted – a new Guardian US project aiming to account for all law enforcement-related deaths in the country – is that no such federal database exists already. There’s a special report on the campaign in this week’s Guardian Weekly, but I would also urge you to take a look at the fantastic digital interactive at the heart of this innovative and important initiative.
The G7 summit ended in Bavaria with US President Barack Obama voicing familiar criticisms of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as the ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists comes close to unravelling. There’s also a report from Chechnya, where the macho, pro-Putin leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s shows of military strength have been causing unease in Russia.
From Canada, our world diary considers the fallout from a damning report into the historic residential schools policy for its indigenous citizens. From the West Bank, Peter Beaumont reports on Palestinian attempts to resist another controversial Israeli settlement plan. And the Washington Post explores the context to China’s startling decision to end the processing and sale of ivory, as the country also calls for the US to tighten ivory trading rules.
For our Finance pages there’s a Le Monde report from Brazil, where gloom is hardening in the face of poor economic figures.
We also have two interesting pieces on Iran. On the Comment pages, Jonathan Steele considers how renewed western engagement is leading to positive change in the country, while in the Review section Saeed Kamali Dehghan explores how a Christian footballer in Iran’s Muslim-dominated national side has come to symbolise a new mood of tolerance towards minorities.
Our Review section long read this week is a gripping account by the journalist Michael Scott Moore of his 977 days of captivity at the hands of Somali pirates. As a complete antidote to that, Le Monde reports on how sake and rice may be losing their grip as the traditional mainstays of Japanese cuisine.
Discovery visits the western Scottish island of Mull, where the successful reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle has delighted environmentalists but has been greeted less joyously by livestock farmers.
Books reflects on what can be done to engage younger US citizens in the political process, while Culture looks at a Moroccan stage play seeking to broaden attitudes towards women.
Notes & Queries dons a tuxedo to consider the outcomes of a crap shoot (that’s the dice game). Good to Meet You catches up with an Australian who came to the Weekly via a gap year in France. And Sport pays tribute to Stan Wawrinka, the surprise winner of this year’s men’s French Open final.
Enjoy the edition – as ever, I welcome your views on it.
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