There is more that unites us than divides us. These were the words of British Labour MP Jo Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, who was stabbed and fatally shot in West Yorkshire last week. A local man is charged with murder.
Those sentiments have hung heavy, since Cox’s death, over a nation deciding this Thursday whether to remain in, or leave, the European Union.
Publication and distribution deadlines mean that the 24 June edition of the newspaper, which we’ve just completed, will not cover the story. For breaking news on this event, please visit theguardian.com. It’s expected that results will start to filter through in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Weekly will put this historic vote into perspective in our 1 July edition, with analytical news and views, so please do watch this space.
Referendum aside, politics dominate the edition just rolling off the presses. Our cover story, by Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts, takes in the presidential run from Vermont senator and Democrat Bernie Sanders. Readers sometimes complain about too much US coverage in the Weekly, but this is a thoughtful, comprehensive and analytical look at how Sanders changed the nature of the Democratic party’s presidential debate. I consider it required reading. I do hope you find it fascinating.
Inside the paper the UN accuses Islamic State of genocide in its violence against the Yazidi people, new anti-establishment mayors in Rome and Turin signal a political shift in Italy, and the Venezuelan economic and political crisis widens a rift in the Organisation of American States.
On the upside, we report on a community in Bangladesh that has beaten air pollution, and on a programme helping to educate young women in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. These two stories are part of the Guardian’s half-full series, which explores the inspiring and solution-oriented work being done around the world. You can see similar reporting by clicking here.
Comment considers German nationalism, gun control in America, and the politics at play in football. And on the letters page, you share thoughts on neoliberalism, globalisation and Obelix and Asterix. We welcome letters for publication, which you can send along by emailing weekly.letters@theguardian.com.
The deeper-read Review section finds the future of China is built on its past in a wonderful long read on Middle Kingdom history.
History also features in a piece from partner newspaper Le Monde explaining why France is being forced to sell many of the buildings that have housed its impressive global cultural network. In a word: upkeep.
Our other partner paper, the Washington Post, details the discovery earlier this year of a strain of bacteria that’s resistant to antibiotics, and which set global alarm bells ringing. This is a super behind-the-scenes read.
The Book reviews take in freedom of speech, the father dynamic, and the world according to Star Wars, which explores the myth, history and meaning of the galaxy far, far away.
And over four pages of standout Culture coverage, we look at images of loss and destruction, meet an abstract artist who was lured towards the creative by the nascent hippie culture, and review theatre in the UK’s Stratford, rock in London and the latest Pixar release, Finding Dory (editor’s note: get the tissues ready).
On our Notes & Queries page, you asked about the essence of being Canadian and I’ve taken the opportunity to feature an image of hockey great Gordie Howe, who died recently at the age of 88. How fascinating (and connecting) to find one contributor writing about Howe referring to author Roy MacGregor, who I worked beside early in my career at Canadian newspaper the Ottawa Citizen!
The things that unite us can be odd and unexpected. We are united by background, united by country, united by philosophy. I believe the Weekly’s family is united by curiosity, by intelligence, and by a deep desire to make the world a better place. Am I wrong?
I am handing over to deputy editor Graham Snowdon for a couple of weeks to seek some warmth in sunnier climes. Please do share your thoughts on the editorial content of the newspaper with the GW team by clicking here. And thanks for reading.
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