A major new cache of classified US military documents emerged last week, revealing sensitive western intelligence in areas such as the Ukraine war, Russia and Chinese affairs. But, just as astonishing as the information within the documents was the story of how they emerged.
This week we find out how a young, racist gun enthusiast and low-level US national guardsman came to be charged under the Espionage Act, suspected of leaking hundreds of top secret files on the gaming chat server Discord.
“A top view of the Pentagon popped up seemed a good way to reveal the giant open wound in the US’s security defences,” explains illustrator Arthur Bonifay on how he approached his cover artwork for this week’s edition. “The dark and unnatural atmosphere of the illustration reflects my feelings about these leaks and sets the tone for events that may be yet to come.”
Guardian US reporter Edward Helmore picks up the story on the ground in Massachusetts, while First Edition newsletter editor Archie Bland lays out what was revealed in the documents. Then, investigations correspondent Manisha Ganguly charts the rise of Discord and its central role in the leak.
A flare-up of armed violence in Sudan last weekend caught many observers off guard. We find out why a power struggle between the two main factions of Sudan’s military regime has the potential to lead to more serious, wider consequences, in a country where Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and others are all battling for influence.
Continuing our Cost of the crown investigation into the wealth of the British royal family, David Pegg looks at the jewels worth hundreds of millions inherited by King Charles from his mother.
Then, the Observer’s Tim Adams meets Feargal Sharkey, the former Undertones pop singer who is these days an unlikely frontman for the campaign to clean up the UK’s rivers.
Grey squirrels can amaze and mesmerise with their intelligence and gymnastic strength, but the damage they can cause to homes, gardens and even humans can be maddening. Zoe Williams explores our problematic love-hate relationship with the invasive rodents, and asks whether eating more of them may be a solution.
Eh-oh! From fashion to art and design, the alien-like children’s TV favourites Teletubbies are having a cultural revival. But why? Kyle MacNeill investigates. Also on the culture pages is an appreciation of the children’s fiction author Judy Blume, whose 1970s role model for teenage girls, Margaret, is about to make a long-overdue big screen debut.
Get the Guardian Weekly magazine delivered to your home address
