Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, it’s a philosophy, it would seem, being embraced with some gusto by the soon-to-be leader of America, Donald Trump. After all, why wait to actually assume office on 20 January when you can chat now with world leaders, and unsettle global affairs?
There is much speculation around just what President-elect Trump intended to signal in his telephone call last week with Tsai Ing-wen, the president of (or on, depending on your viewpoint) Taiwan. Was it the first of many political blunders? Did Trump simply stumble over Beijing’s One China policy? Or was it a carefully planned and calculated political act, one meant to cause China significant discomfort?
We look at this event, and other dynamics in both American and Republican party politics, as the days slip by and the inevitable transfer of power in Washington draws nearer.
Coverage of European politics features prominently in this edition, too. In Italy, voters in a referendum rejected constitutional reforms proposed by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, sparking Renzi’s resignation and leaving politics there in flux. In France, President François Hollande said he would not seek re-election next year. In Austria, meanwhile, the electorate rejected a far-right candidate in a presidential election rerun in favour of a left-leaning, pro-Europe moderate, leaving many in the EU breathing a very deep sigh of relief.
In Africa, Gambians celebrated as the country’s autocratic president, Yahya Jammeh, conceded power. And on the other side of the world, New Zealand’s popular prime minister, John Key, surprised the country by announcing he was stepping down. It can be difficult to keep up: we’re here to help.
There was some upbeat news on the environmental front: China stepped back from building a series of dams on the Nujiang river, the Sioux tribe won a major victory in its standoff with big oil along the banks of the Missouri river, and four of the world’s largest cities agreed to ban diesel cars by 2025.
Deep-read Review looks at the latest Scandie craze sweeping over us: hygge. You will have read about this concept, one of warmth, comfort, cosiness, in a previous editon of the Weekly. In this piece, the Guardian’s Charlotte Higgins digs deeper into the year’s most hyped trend.
Discovery considers how dogs are helping to develop treatments for cancer, the Books pages look the treasured places that are our museums, and Culture celebrates Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who has been scoring films for some 60 years.
Even as this edition goes to print on three continents, we are working feverishly on the Weekly’s expanded 16 December edition. You’ll get 64 pages of great reading to delight and engage over the holidays, including our much-loved Year in review.
A reminder that there will be no 23 December edition. The Weekly team takes a well-deserved festive break before returning to the office, with excess mince pies for sharing, and cracking on with the final edition of this year, which will be dated 30 December.
There are many ways to see the world. And there is, of course, another take on Jefferson’s musings – never do today what you can delay. It’s simply not an option in this job!
This latest edition of the Weekly should keep you deeply engaged and fully informed. Please do send along any feedback by clicking here. And thank you for reading.
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