The cover of the 15 May edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine features an illustration by Guardian Design. This issue delves into the dominance of cars over public transit in urban areas, alongside other compelling stories.
The Slow Lane: How Cars Conquered Our Cities
Sydney boasts 181 public transit vehicles per 100,000 residents, Paris has 118, and Houston struggles with just 16. These numbers reveal stark differences in global attitudes toward transportation, with many cities, especially in the United States, prioritising cars over sustainable travel. Oliver Milman's feature examines how this affects human and planetary health, noting that transportation accounts for about a third of all planet-heating emissions, doubling since 1990. The new series 'The Slow Lane' explores how cars came to dominate urban areas, why US cities lag behind on public transit, and whether Sydney can make its rail system work for everyone. Experts also offer tips on fixing car-choked cities.
Labour's Local Election Defeat
In the UK, Labour and Keir Starmer faced a terrible week after a drubbing in local elections. As the Weekly went to press, the prime minister faced intense pressure to announce a timeline for stepping aside. Pippa Crerar provides a brutal analysis of Starmer's failing efforts to keep his party on side.
Five Essential Reads
Spotlight: Netanyahu-Trump Alliance Tensions
Israeli PM Netanyahu insists on full coordination with the US president, but rumours suggest Washington no longer consults him. Julian Borger reports on emerging tensions.
Science: Has Skincare Gone Too Far?
Face products are everywhere and more advanced than ever, but experts have seen a rise in perioral dermatitis due to over-layering. Anita Bhagwandas investigates.
Essay: How to Survive the Information Crisis
In an age of crisis, technology pulls us apart, but journalism can bring us together, writes Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner.
Opinion: Venice Biennale and Geopolitics
Charlotte Higgins observes anger and denial over Israel and Russia at the Venice Biennale, where geopolitics play out through art, feeling on the verge of collapse.
Culture: Unmasking Angine de Poitrine
The Quebecois duo's microtonal rock has gone viral, but are they really 333-year-old aliens? Laura Snapes interviews the buzziest band of the year.
Other Highlights
Readers enjoyed pieces on 'literary nepo babies' and laissez-faire parenting. The Guardian website also features an audio on the mysterious death of a teenager posing as a Russian billionaire, a video on the Muslim Vote, and a gallery of abandoned cinemas in the US and Canada.
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