A Reckoning in Minneapolis: Inside the 30 January Guardian Weekly
The cover of the 30 January edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine features a striking photograph by Adam Gray, setting the tone for an issue dominated by American political turmoil. This week's edition delves into the profound national revulsion following another killing by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, while also exploring secrets of superagers and shifting diplomatic alliances.
Domestic Pressure Mounts on Trump Administration
While last week saw western allies pushing back against President Trump over Greenland, this week's focus shifts to intense domestic criticism following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The massive winter storm that swept across North America failed to obscure disturbing video footage showing an ICE agent shooting dead Pretti, an intensive care nurse and father of three who appeared to be rushing to protect a woman being pepper-sprayed by Border Patrol personnel.
As Washington bureau chief David Smith reports in this week's lead story, these events are being viewed by many as clear evidence of fascistic overreach and a potential moment of reckoning for the Trump presidency. The incident has triggered a wave of condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum, leading to a swift softening of tone from the White House, though not before administration figures attempted to wrongly blame the victim.
Minneapolis Reacts with Shock and Fury
From Minneapolis, Rachel Leingang reports on the palpable sense of shock and fury gripping the city in the aftermath of the shooting. The community response reflects broader national concerns about law enforcement practices and immigration policy enforcement. In a stark accompanying commentary, Francine Prose voices her fears that the United States may be teetering on the brink of an authoritarian takeover, highlighting how such incidents contribute to growing anxieties about democratic erosion.
Five Essential Features in This Week's Edition
The magazine offers readers five particularly compelling features alongside its main coverage:
- Diplomatic Spotlight: Amy Hawkins examines whether Trump's diplomatic tantrums are pushing America's western allies closer to China, reporting that after a week of diplomatic turmoil, some nations are turning toward a country that Washington views as an existential threat.
- Lunar Science: Science editor Ian Sample sets the scene for NASA's Artemis II mission, detailing preparations for what could be next week's lift-off of the most powerful rocket ever built for a 1.1 million kilometre lunar circumnavigation flight.
- Aging Research: Isabelle Aron explores why some people age better than others in "Secrets of the Superagers," featuring five extraordinary individuals who scientists are studying and who share their personal tips for healthy aging.
- UK Politics: Polly Toynbee argues that Labour needs a new leader quickly, suggesting that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to block likely leadership challenger Andy Burnham from standing in a byelection has bought him time but won't change his political fate.
- Media Culture: Stuart Heritage contends that Netflix has fundamentally altered viewing habits, arguing that the streaming giant recognizes most people watch television while gripping smartphones, necessitating plotlines that constantly explain themselves.
Additional Editorial Highlights
The magazine's editorial team shares what else they've been reading, including a timely retrospective on unexpected Winter Olympics heroes as the Games prepare to begin in Italy. The feature recalls competitors from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and India alongside the legendary Eddie the Eagle. Another piece examines French President Emmanuel Macron's reflective Top Gun-style sunglasses at Davos, revealing they served legitimate medical purposes while enhancing his image of resistance to Trump.
Further highlights from the Guardian website include audio exploring whether the world has entered an era of "water bankruptcy," video documenting how the Minneapolis shooting unfolded, and a gallery examining later-life relationships and redefining how to grow old.
The Guardian Weekly continues to provide comprehensive international coverage while maintaining its distinctive editorial perspective on global events, politics, and culture.
