Another week, another leak? Not quite.
The Panama Papers represent the unprecedented disclosure of 11.5m files from the database of the world’s fourth-biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonseca, which has its headquarters in Panama (hence the name). The records were obtained from an anonymous source by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The ICIJ then shared them with a large network of international partners, including the Guardian and the BBC. The documents show the myriad ways in which the rich can exploit secretive offshore tax regimes.
This story kept us on our toes from first thing Monday until the last pages of the Weekly went to press at midday on Tuesday. It is a complex tale to tell, and it was important to tell it in the most complete way, so we’ve given over five pages of news coverage and a page of Comment.
As you likely guessed, this story will evolve in the days and weeks ahead. And there is, of course, much more online. You can stay on top of it all on the Guardian website by clicking here.
Beyond the Panama Papers, news carried on apace.
Barack Obama hosted his last summit as US president on nuclear security and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump had a less than good week.
Tensions flared in Europe’s forgotten flashpoint of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the European Union began deporting refugees back to Turkey.
In south Asia, plans were in place to give prime minister-like powers to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, while a letter declaring Xi Jinping unfit to lead in China rattled Beijing.
Brazil ramped up its fight against the Zika virus and Colombia continued talks with the Farc rebels on a peace deal after a crucial deadline this month was missed. From the Middle East, meanwhile, Gaza tunnellers are once again drawing Israel’s eye.
In addition to the Panama Papers, Comment considers terrorism in Europe, argues that a laissez-faire attitude has been a disaster for British industry, and sings the praises of British actor Judi Dench (most people’s favourite Bond boss) and her 60 years on stage.
Our deeper-read Review section reflects back on the scandal of last summer: the leak of confidential data from the Ashley Madison adultery website. Those who investigated the matter found themselves drawn into rather odd roles, discovers reporter Tom Lamont.
From Nigeria, we bring you a fascinating piece on the floating community of Makoko, where residents live with the threat of eviction, but which could offer up a new blueprint for urban life.
Our opening Book review profiles American entrepreneur Elon Musk, perhaps best known for rocket and spacecraft company SpaceX and the Tesla electric car. Musk is often in the news, yet I knew little about him until this fascinating read. I have no doubt you’ll enjoy it too.
The Culture section is both vibrant and thoughtful. We look at Botticelli, remastered; we review New York theatre and we reflect back on the life of architect Zaha Hadid, who died suddenly last week of a heart attack at the age of 65. It was very sad indeed to see the Queen of Curves bowing out, but important to remember the ground-breaking role she played in the field of architecture, and to recall the astonishing body of work she has left behind.
If all of that doesn’t keep you busy for the full week (until the next edition arrives), I invite you to dwell for a moment or two on English spring, which is much beloved by so many. Small garden birds have thrived following a mild winter, we report on our UK news pages. I can certainly attest to this, with robins bouncing around my garden and one very determined woodpecker in the now-leafing oak and sycamore trees. In Nature watch, meanwhile, Mark Cocker stumbles across a large grey fur ball, which sparks a reflection on the rabbits of Norfolk.
Whether you define a northern hemisphere spring by birds, beasts or even the dainty daffodils still perking up London’s parkland, I would like to thank you for reading the Weekly. Please do email me your feedback on the editorial content by clicking here.
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