Human rights in China, the evolution of Fairtrade or geopolitics in Europe: those were my three possible front-page pieces for the latest edition of the Guardian Weekly. As you probably know, the Weekly commissions very little original content. Instead, we capture the best of the week from our parent. We plan our international news lineup based on what has been published, and what our internal news lists say is to come.
I won’t divulge the cover story. Why spoil the fun? Suffice to say that the three options all provided good reading on themes of great interest. Each one of those stories spoke to Guardian values in their own unique way. I selected the piece I viewed as the broadest and the most relevant. I do hope you enjoy. No matter what you think, I look forward to your feedback, which you can send by clicking here.
Elsewhere in international news we wonder how Italy has escaped unscathed from the recent terror atrocities to strike Europe, we analyse the growing rift between political and religious leadership in Iran, we visit the supervised injection clinic in Vancouver keeping drug users safe, and we learn lessons from Fairfield, Australia’s “can-do” capital for refugees.
We also bring you a special report from South Sudan, ravaged by hunger, raiders and ethnic rivalries. These are two heartbreaking pages of special reportage, but I know you will indulge me; they are important stories.
There’s a strong offering of UK news.
We take a reading on Brexit, a year after the watershed in-out referendum. Brexit means Brexit, prime minister Theresa May told us soon after that ballot. But does it, really?
Our comment coverage also drives debate. Natalie Nougayrède (who I rate highly for her writing on Europe) suggests that Turkey and the EU are seeking to reset relations. Jonathan Freedland (another of my Guardian favourites) asks if Brexit can be stopped. And Emma Brockes, with her real-life observations from New York, admits she was wrong about Wonder Woman (I thought the same thing when I saw the film a few weeks back).
I feel confident readers will enjoy our deeper-read Review opener. The amazing Gary Younge writes on Jeremy Corbyn, explaining how the British Labour leader defied the pundits and the polls in June’s general election.
Discovery takes on the idea of rewilding with revenue from hunting. Can conservation coexist with a trophy? Read and think.
Our Book reviews this edition are particularly compelling, with an examination of human behaviour, a brief history of the selfie, and a consideration of clerical celibacy. Culture follows suit, meeting the wonderful French actor Juliette Binoche, explaining how the Oslo peace process has become a stage success, and reviewing what’s become a popular London musical – Bat out of Hell. How do they work in all those hit songs? Turn to the Culture reviews page and find out!
Many of you are mixed on sport coverage ... I know because you’ve told me. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Donald McRae’s interview with Stan Wawrinka, tennis’s understated world No 3. I didn’t know much about this Swiss player (compare and contrast with my knowledge of that other Swiss court pro, Mr Federer). I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I did, and fingers crossed that the heavens don’t open on an upcoming Wimbledon!
If you are a subscriber looking for our digital edition, please click here.
