Some editions are easier than others. This week’s newspaper came together in an organic sort of way, as we return our focus to the Mediterranean’s shores.
Despite winter weather, refugees from Syria and elsewhere continue to make the perilous journey to Turkey, then on to Greece and the safety of Europe. The Guardian’s specialist migration correspondent, Patrick Kingsley, takes us behind the scenes to the towns, shops, hotels, and to the smugglers who facilitate this movement. It’s finely crafted reportage, and it certainly taught me a thing or two about this shadowy world. I am sure you’ll find it a fascinating read.
Even as people continued on the move, efforts among European leaders to forge a common policy on refugees were unravelling. With the union split over mandatory refugee-sharing and funding, German chancellor Angela Merkel led a mini-summit of nations in a “coalition of the willing”. In North America, meanwhile, with controversy swirling in the US over refugee admittance and support, Canada bolstered its assistance for the Syrian crisis.
In Paris, a crucial UN climate summit kicked off with speeches from world leaders, and a $20bn pledge for green energy research. We’ll feature the outcome of this meeting in coming editions, so please do watch this space for complete results, and full analysis.
Elsewhere, we check in with Germany’s Christmas markets, where a love of stollen tops fears of terrorism, catch up on efforts to battle Islamic State on its home front, preview Venezuelan elections, and get a reading on the US presidential race. After gaffes and flip-flops, baffled Republicans ask: Who can stop Donald Trump? Turn to page nine for possible answers.
We also bring you the first in a series of special reports on America’s poorest towns. Guardian senior writer Chris McGreal takes us to Beattyville, in Kentucky’s mining belt, where rural poverty endures. I was gripped by this very well-written piece. Watch for further instalments in the weeks ahead.
On the Comment pages, Guardian columnist Timothy Garton Ash argues that Europe’s walls are going back up and lead opinion editor Jonathan Freedland contends that new UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s missteps are helping the Conservative cause.
Your letters reflect on terrorism, Islamic State, menopause, the Pacific garbage patch and animal rights. They are smart and sassy; I expect nothing less! If you’d like to send in a letter for publication, please click on this link.
The Weekly Review section offers up a batch of seriously good reading. From the Comoro Islands to the internet in America, from philanthropy in China to tribal people in Peru, I feel certain something will grab you. I can honestly say I enjoyed putting the stamp of approval on each one of these pages (yes, I read and finalise all bits of the newspaper).
Discovery explores how young amateur astronomers are helping the pros map the cosmos. Our lead book review, meanwhile, draws us into exploration of a different sort, looking at Alexander von Humboldt, Prussian polymath, author and adventurer. What a remarkable man.
Culture shines a light on poet, essayist and artist Tristan Tzara, and his influence in 20th-century avant-garde circles. I expect most of you are familiar with his work, though I will be honest and admit to learning a lot from this fascinating piece from partner paper Le Monde.
As I re-read these few paragraphs, I realise how much I learn in editing each edition of the Weekly. And how naturally some editions seem to fit together.
I hope you enjoy this first newspaper of December. With the holiday season looming, we are turning our attention to our expanded 18 December edition. We think you’re going to like it.
Please feel free to share your views on our editorial content by emailing me using this link. Happy reading.
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