Trump's Triumphalism and America's 250th Anniversary
Lightning storms caused by an extreme heatwave delayed Donald Trump's address marking America's 250th anniversary by four hours, but the speech still delivered a trademark piece of Trumpian dystopia. The US president hijacked the milestone anniversary, turning it into a joyless, farcical series of largely self-serving events, according to David Smith's feature essay in the 10 July edition of the Guardian Weekly. The essay reveals how Trump's politicised polemic followed a white nationalist march on the streets of Washington.
A reported feature from Guardian correspondents around the globe, from Moscow to Mexico City, examines how the world views America at 250 in the age of Trump.
Iran Mourns Supreme Leader Khamenei
Crowds swelled through Tehran as mourners dressed in black carried flags proclaiming 'We will rise' during the funeral procession of Iran's slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour reports on the calls for revenge that echoed through the ayatollah's funeral.
Environmental and Ethical Features
Britain has lost an estimated 73 million wild birds from its landscape over the last 50 years, but a new project aims to recreate the sound of the country's dawn chorus, as reported by Sandra Laville and Madeleine Finlay.
Philosopher Iason Gabriel has worked at Google DeepMind since 2017, trying to anticipate and think through the impact of AI. Robert P Baird asks whether ethicists can make any difference as commercial and geopolitical pressures escalate.
Opinion and Culture
Simon Tisdall argues that in a political wasteland dominated by billionaires, war criminals and mega-corporations, the head of the Catholic church is a rare figure of moral leadership, thanking heaven for the pope.
Director Olivia Wilde and co-star Edward Norton talk to Catherine Shoard about The Invite, their new movie about marital bed death that is the season's buzziest, funniest release.
Other Highlights
Greek priest Fr Dionysios Tabakis has recorded an experimental album of doom metal, Christmas carols and religious dubstep, catapulting him to cult status. He told the Guardian his motivation was to try to breach the chasm between older generations and younger ones who speak a different language. 'I had to find some rhymes,' he said, 'which was hard. I went online to find some slang, and did what I could.'
An Italian village by Lake Como is introducing fines of up to €200 for anyone wandering around shirtless or in swimwear, a reminder that being on holiday doesn't mean leaving local customs behind.
Other highlights from the Guardian website include an audio piece on whether the US has finally fallen in love with football, a video on Pope Leo praising US history of welcoming immigrants at the 250th anniversary, and a gallery of Wimbledon by Sarah Lee.
