Setting a news agenda, rather than merely following one, can be difficult. That's especially true with such dramatic events unfolding in north Africa and the Middle East.
We've kept to a revolutionary theme in this issue of the Weekly, albeit with a twist, throwing our front page story ahead as Saudi Arabia hastily implements reforms in a bid to avert its own "day of rage" on 11 March.
As Libya balanced on the brink and countries throughout the Arab world remained on edge, Saudi King Abdullah flew home from three months in an overseas hospital and announced a weighty $36bn package of social and economic measures aimed at wooing and calming the young.
These steps were being implemented as world oil markets grew increasingly fretful and crude touched $120 a barrel before prices ebbed lower and the market found some stability.
In China, meanwhile, authorities were anxious amid calls for a jasmine revolution there. Beijing did its best to ensure that a call for passive protest failed to materialise, while Guardian correspondent Tania Branigan reported that momentum was lacking for mass rebellions on Sino streets.
Elsewhere, New Zealanders came to terms after an earthquake left Christchurch in ruins, villagers in Punjab fought for prohibition, and an economic rebirth was under way from Paraguay to Peru. In Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, business was booming at an annual weapons convention, where the multibillion-dollar business of arms sales remained steady.
Rebels rule the back of the Weekly as well with an exploration of Billie Holiday's signature song about racist lynchings. Strange Fruit may well be the first protest song, finds this wonderfully engaging book extract.
Our culture pages visit the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, where bittersweet memories are laid bare. Books takes an inner journey, reviewing two efforts on consciousness.
We had sad news last week of Guardian journalist and Guardian Weekly columnist Derek Brown's sudden death. Derek was such a delightful man to work with. He was gregarious, good-humoured and a top-flight journalist who could be relied upon to craft a masterful summary of the British week. He will be sorely missed.
You'll find Derek's obituary where we usually run Week in Britain. As a mark of respect to Derek, we will take a break from the Week in Britain column.
If you'd like to share memories of Derek, or his Week in Britain column, you can post them on our Guardian Weekly Facebook page.
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