Words, of course, play a part in the way Weekly tells a tale. Analytical and insightful words, opinionated and argumentative ones, too. Pictures make up another piece of the puzzle, telling a story in a different, and often more insightful, way. But Weekly uses yet another way to bring to an issue to life: the editorial cartoon.
In this edition of the newspaper, we add a rather dramatic twist, drawing on the insights of award-winning Australian cartoonist First Dog on the Moon to accompany reporting on the debate around the newly minted Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. This is a landmark agreement among 12 Pacific Rim nations that will change the rules for 40% of global trade, and is meant to counter China’s growing dominance. We just don’t know very much about it yet. The First Dog cartoon captures this disquiet beautifully. Though the Weekly is a tried and tested formula, it can sometimes be a treat to explore events in unconventional ways.
The week just passed was noteworthy well beyond the realm of global trade. In the Mediterranean and Middle East, the days were marked by crisis and conflict. Our front page features some very brave reporting from Syria as Martin Chulov and Kareem Shaheen meet Syrian rebels under Russian fire. Moscow’s moves to bolster the Assad regime are finding success at the expense of the Free Syria Army, the pair report, while Islamic State, unhindered, appears to be making gains.
Inside the paper, we report on the dark clouds forming over Israel and Palestine as rising violence raises speculation of another intifada, or uprising. And Guardian foreign affairs columnist Simon Tisdall analyses the twin bombings in Ankara of a peace rally last weekend, putting this very sad event into a wider political context.
But there was positive news from the region too, as a deal was reached in the fractured state of Libya for a government of national unity, giving hope for some stability in this strife-torn land. In Tunisia, meanwhile, a quartet of players who helped bring stability there have found recognition via the Nobel peace prize.
There was also progress in Europe on the refugee crisis, as EU members took the first steps towards common immigration policies. And in the US, there was recognition from authorities of the need to tally the number of people killed by police. This advancement came as The Guardian’s Counted project kept tabs of its own.
In Japan, some residents returned to their homes in what has been the Fukushima restricted zone. I found this a bittersweet tale, and the image of the Yamauchis in their home in Naraha poignant indeed. We report on race issues in Brazil, solar power progress in Burundi, and the rumbling debate in Canada (with a federal election looming) over a great wall with the US of A. Something for everyone!
On our Comment pages, Observer columnist Will Hutton warns of impending global economic collapse, while Matthew d’Ancona considers British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Tory party’s position on compassion. On our letters page, you shared views on Syria, the rituals of religion, Catalan independence, and the fiasco that has become the search for a refreshed New Zealand flag. We’re always happy for your submissions to this page, which you can email to us by clicking here.
Review explores the barricades of Belfast, which went up during the Troubles to separate Catholic and Protestant areas of the city. Turns out they are difficult to knock down.
We profile Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who is uniting the French capital’s social, economic and green priorities. And we visit northern Pakistan where work dries up for ferrymen after a crucial transport link with China is finally repaired.
Discovery meets the Italian surgeon who wants to conduct the world’s first human head transplant. On the Books pages, we review Canadian author Margaret Atwood’s latest yarn, showcase an ode to the noble tree and delve deep into the life and times of US presidential contender Donald Trump. Culture considers the Cambodian artists who are alive to a very painful past. Please don’t miss the wonderful photo gallery that accompanies this piece online.
If that range and depth of reading doesn’t keep you busy for the week, then Diversions will no doubt fill the void. I check the crosswords every week to make sure we’re printing the correct answers, but I have never knowingly completed one!
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