It was a week where one story dominated: Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States.
Anything else that happened internationally seemed to fade from view as Trump took the oath of office. Within hours, millions of women took to the streets in peaceful protest against the man. Trump and his team, meanwhile, seemed to declare war on the media over the reporting of attendance in Washington for the inauguration event. On the policy front, healthcare, trade deals and abortion funding were quickly undermined. All mention of key Obama policy agendas, such as climate change and civil rights, vanished from the White House’s official website. Instead, the emphasis was on energy, jobs, growth, law and the military.
It was truly the dawning of a new political era. One with global repercussions.
The Weekly has given over eight pages to the event, opening with a piece of opinion writing from Guardian US columnist Richard Wolffe about what’s ahead for the new commander-in-chief. Inside, we showcase more thoughts to consider from Jonathan Freedland, who argues that Trump’s inaugural speech confirmed our deepest anxieties, and Natalie Nougayrède, who fears for human rights. Editorial cartoonist Steve Bell was also in fine form this week.
In such uncertain times, a news organisation that reports the facts and cherishes editorial integrity has never been more needed; the Weekly is proud to showcase the very best of the Guardian’s coverage on America under Trump – both this week and in editions to come.
We haven’t forgotten the other news of the week, most notably a report showing that 2016 was the hottest year on record, with humans to blame for the changing climate. We report this over three pages, with news and opinion coverage ranging from Beijing to Egypt to the outback of Australia and Canada’s eastern shores, where communities are grappling with morphing landscapes.
In the UK, there was an important development on Britain’s efforts to leave the European Union, as the supreme court ruled that MPs must have their say on Brexit. The decision, by a majority of eight justices to three, upholds parliamentary sovereignty and has far-reaching consequences.
Our feature coverage looks at Mongolia’s lost herders, who are increasingly on the move to urban centres. Discovery considers how chickens have changed the world, and why they deserve more respect. Our main Book review look at the importance of play, which is possibly made more poignant by chaotic world events.
Culture reviews the film The Founder, about the making of McDonald’s, embraces Estonian exhibition space and mulls over Paris architecture. The lighter side of life will no doubt make a welcome break.
I sit down some weeks not sure how to kick off the online blog, which is sent to subscribers as a newsletter. This week, it has pretty much written itself. Feedback on our editorial content is always welcomed, and can be emailed by clicking here. Thank you for supporting our journalism through your subscription.
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