There's no glossing over Puerto Rico鈥檚 devastation. But a report from the capital 鈥 as our writer prepares to push into more-remote regions 鈥 finds a remarkable community spirit now stirring.聽
The choice of a Nobel Peace Prize winner can be pointed. It can also be poignant.
In the run-up to Friday鈥檚 announcement there were rumors that some of the architects of the Iran nuclear deal might be named this year. On Thursday the White House had made noises about decertifying that deal.
But the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo instead awarded a coalition of nongovernmental organizations, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). It鈥檚 not common for organizations to win.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not kicking anyone in the legs with this prize,鈥 said the committee鈥檚 chairwoman. Still, the award was, as one report put it, a 鈥渂lunt rejoinder鈥 to recent geopolitical posturing from several quarters.
Said Beatrice Fihn, ICAN鈥檚 executive director: 鈥淭he laws of war say that we can鈥檛 target civilians. Nuclear weapons are meant to 鈥 wipe out entire cities. That鈥檚 unacceptable and nuclear weapons no longer get an excuse.鈥
It鈥檚 an aspirational message reflecting a fundamental value: respect for human life. Can it be as persuasive as the plaintive case-making that led to treaties banning chemical and biological weapons, cluster bombs, and land mines?
Now to our five stories for your Friday, highlighting grit, collective purpose, and optimism in action.聽