At the Guardian Weekly we try to take a broad view of the news, understanding context and trends, but seldom do we get such a broad view as the article that this week leads the review section. In it, Declan Walsh reflects on seven years as a journalist based in Pakistan, and the prospects for the country that is central to global stability. It's a true must-read.
There's also a lot of food for thought in our lead story, which looks at the 265m tonnes of plastic produced in the world each year, about two-thirds of it probably for one-use packaging. It tackles the big question: what are we going to do with it all?
There's also a rare piece of unqualified good news: if the large city of Moradabad, north of Delhi, gets to 13 January without a case of polio, it's highly likely that India will be able to declare itself officially polio-free.
We're looking into some less-trodden corners of Europe, with a revealing piece about attempts to shore up the fragile Belgian coastline, and an exploration of the rise of the euro-doubters in Germany.
On the cultural side, we go to Le Monde for a review of Bêtes Off at the Conciergerie Paris, and in what I believe is a first for the Weekly, take a look at the new MMO (multiplayer online) game Star Wars: The Old Republic.
But I think the story that I'll remember longest from this edition is the one that explores French botanist Francis Hallé's homage to trees - and its exploration of just how central they are to our lives and to the planetary ecosystem. It goes a long way beyond carbon dioxide.
If you're a subscriber, your digital edition of the Weekly can now be viewed on iPads, iPhones, Kindle Fires, Android tablets and smartphones. Log in on the device to the digital edition and the technology should take you to the correct format.
If you have queries or would like to make changes to your existing subscription, including email and other addresses, please click here.
Not yet a subscriber and would like to give us a try? New subscribers can get six weeks' papers delivered to their door for just £1/$1/€1. Click here.
