海角大神

This week you had to squint to see stories that didn鈥檛 make you squirm.

On top of the barbarity unfolding in Syria came a report that North Korea might be funneling to the regime. Russia boasted about having hypersonic and detection-dodging nuclear missiles (also unconfirmed). Temperatures in the Arctic hit while Europe shivered.

Pass the magnifying glass. But don鈥檛 spin the globe to those cultures where 鈥減rogressive鈥� benchmarks get .

Look to Iraq, a nation that has cherished literacy for decades. began as a volunteer on a male-dominated bookshop row in Baghdad. Now, the 29-year-old broadcasts a weekly TV segment on new books and has published half a dozen herself, including titles examining the role of Iraqi women in society.

Look to Russia, where interest and activism are spreading around , which holds about one-fifth of the world鈥檚 unfrozen fresh water. 鈥淔irst of all,鈥� the longtime director of a nature reserve there told The Economist, 鈥渨e see that it concerns the kids now.鈥�

Look to Ireland, where in its political evolution with the election of Mary Lou McDonald as president after Gerry Adams鈥檚 long and controversial run. She's a different face for the party, a Dubliner with middle-class roots, no connection to the IRA, and a reputation as an effective parliamentary reformer.

All worth watching closely.

Now to our five stories for your Friday, including a special narrative report on the power of forgiveness.