Much has been written in the aftermath of last week’s chemical attack on the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhun, widely attributed to the Assad regime, which claimed more than 80 lives.
As international diplomacy surrounding the crisis escalates and the implications of a subsequent US missile strike on a Syrian airbase are considered, it’s easy to forget the plight of the civilians whose lives were shattered by the horrific sarin gas attack. That’s where the Guardian Weekly turns for its cover story this week with a deeply moving report from Kareem Shaheen, one of the first western journalists to reach the attack site.
In our extensive coverage and analysis we also consider how, despite US President Donald Trump’s retaliatory military action against Syria, his views on the wider conflict remain as impenetrable as ever. As China’s president Xi Jinping flew in and out of Florida for bilateral talks with Trump, we look at what the Syria action may have signalled to Beijing and, perhaps more pertinently, to North Korea.
As the global developments play out, we also have a intriguing read from Washington correspondent David Smith on a fierce power struggle within the White House, where Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner appears to be getting the upper hand over strategic adviser and “alt-right” champion Steve Bannon.
In Stockholm, Swedes were coming to terms with another terrorist atrocity involving a vehicle driven into pedestrians. In Germany, we visit the Bavarian hamlet that’s set to become the new centre of the EU after the UK leaves. In France, we hear from the disaffected young people turning to far-right candidate Marine Le Pen as a highly significant presidential election approaches.
From Ecuador, we hear the big plans of the country’s affable president-elect Lenín Moreno. In South Africa, meanwhile, opposition continues to grow against Jacob Zuma, from both within and outside the ANC.
The Weekly review lead takes us into the world of parkour, the urban gymnastic discipline that delivers huge adrenaline highs but sometimes at a significant human cost. From Ireland, we hear about how the death of an iconic nationalist politician is leading to new conversations about the island’s political future.
Discovery explores a remarkable experiment to grow human heart tissue in spinach leaves (yes, you read that correctly). Books looks at the Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs funding research into extending human life through advanced robotics. Culture hears from Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters on a operatic reinterpretation of the band’s classic album The Wall.
Whether by consuming vast amounts of chocolate or through a more traditionally religious activity, some readers may be marking Easter this weekend. This week’s edition rounds off with a thought-provoking column that laments the confusing muddle that the Christian festival has come to represent, and offers an uplifting core message that could arguably resonate with everyone.
If you are marking a holiday this week I hope it is a peaceful one. Thanks for reading and please do feel free to send me your views on the edition.
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