Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. How can one country respond to so many catastrophes?
In one of the most seismically active places on earth, and highly dependent on nuclear energy to power the world's third-largest economy, the Japanese are now facing their darkest fears. Many of my Japanese friends expressed concerns about nuclear power plants and earthquakes in the eight years I lived and worked in Japan. Remembering that has made events since last Friday, when the magnitude 9.0 quake hit at 2.46 local time, all the more difficult to digest.
Consider this issue of the Weekly a snapshot in time of a country in crisis as we follow a story that lurches from horror to horror with each news update.
Keeping with Japan, I draw your attention to our poignant editorial cartoon in the comment section, which we've allowed more space than usual. Pictures can often capture what words cannot.
Inside the issue are stories that in any normal week would have commanded the front page. In the Middle East, the Saudis send soldiers to shore up Bahrain's leadership. In north Africa, Libyan rebel fighters are forced into retreat as Muammar Gaddafi's troops steadily seem to reclaim the upper hand.
If the world is all a bit too much this week, there's respite in our review section. Our opening feature is a well-written look at the notion of dreaming the future. Is it possible? More likely just the laws of probability at play, the piece concludes.
Science identifies a clutch of genetic changes that ultimately set us aside from the rest of the animal kingdom. I have two words for you: penile spines.
Culture visits the granite-and-steel hall of the people that is Guangzhou's new opera house. From contributor paper Le Monde, we review an exhibition in Paris of Vietnam war photographs. They are remarkable images. Take a look at the slide show by clicking here.
Our books section relives the riveting rescue last year of 33 entombed Chilean miners in a stirring review of a book by Jonathan Franklin.
In the context of news from Japan, it is good to hold tight to the notion there can be triumph over tragedy.
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