BARRON’S MAGAZINE – FEBRUARY 16, 2026

February 16, 2026 - Barron's Magazine

BARRON’S MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘The Cattle Crisis’ – The U.S. herd is at a 75-year low, sending beef prices through the roof. Why there’s little relief in sight.

America’s Cattle Crisis: a Shrinking Herd, Soaring Beef Prices, and Little Relief in Sight

Steak and hamburgers, American staples, are fast becoming luxury items. Texas ranchers know why.

The Fed Wields Enormous Power. The U.S. Has Debated a Central Bank Since Day One.

From Andrew Jackson to Donald Trump, presidents love to hate the central bank.

As Prediction Markets Boom, the CFTC’s Flagship Office Has Lost Its Last Enforcement Attorney

The CFTC’s Chicago office, once home to its top market enforcers, has gone from about 20 trial lawyers to none.

Move Over, Arizona and Florida. These States May Be the Best Places to Retire for Your Health.

Vermont, Washington state, and Minnesota score well when it comes to retiree healthcare. What else to know.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2026

Inside the Debacle That Led to the Closure of El Paso’s Airspace

The F.A.A., citing “a grave risk of fatalities” from a new technology being used on the Mexican border, got caught in a stalemate with the Pentagon.

Department of Homeland Security Shuts Down, Though Essential Work Continues

ICE Tried to Justify a Minneapolis Shooting. Its Story Unraveled.

The collapse of the Trump administration’s version of events in the case was another instance of an account of a shooting that was later contradicted.

Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE

In Munich, Rubio Calls Europe a Friend but Says It Must Change

European leaders expressed relief at the tone of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks, but it was clear that the trans-Atlantic rift remained.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026

U.S. Inflation Eased at Start of the Year

Overall inflation eased to 2.4 percent in January from the same time last year, offering a reprieve to the Federal Reserve.

The Epstein Files and the Hidden World of an Unaccountable Elite

The search continues in the documents for ironclad criminal conduct, but the story of a sexual predator given a free ride by the ruling class has already emerged.

Goldman’s Top Lawyer Departs Amid Revelations About Her Ties to Epstein

Kathryn Ruemmler, a former Obama administration lawyer, is out at Goldman Sachs after emails revealed her years of friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

German Leader Says International Order ‘No Longer Exists’

Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, criticized President Trump’s rapid reorientation of U.S. foreign policy.

Iran Turns to Digital Surveillance Tools to Track Down Protesters

As the authorities restore some online services after crushing antigovernment demonstrations, they are using technology to target attendees of the protests.

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE – FEBRUARY 14, 2026 PREVIEW

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE: The latest issue features Why social media bans won’t work

Don’t ban teenagers from social media

Restrictions would do more harm than good

The world’s most powerful woman

Japan’s prime minister has earned a once-in-a-generation chance to remake her country. Will she seize it?

The Epstein files tell a story of justice denied

Prosecutors have moved far too slowly

The rich world should beware Brazilification

When governments are indebted, high interest rates wreak havoc

Britain’s predicament will get worse before it gets better

With Sir Keir Starmer weakened, the government 

THE NEW YORK TIMES – THURSDAY, FEB. 12, 2026

Border Agency Is Said to Have Caused El Paso Closure by Firing Anti-Drone Laser

F.A.A. officials said privately that the agency did not have enough time or information to assess the technology’s risk to commercial aircraft.

Trump’s Director of Election Security Is an Election Denier

Even in a government full of conspiracists, Kurt Olsen stands out. He made a key referral in the Fulton County, Ga., election case.

How Trump Sees the World: It’s Personal

Historical relationships play little if any role in the second-term worldview of President Trump, who holds himself as the constant center of global events.

U.S. Attorney Chosen to Replace Trump Pick Is Quickly Fired by White House

Donald Kinsella had been appointed top prosecutor in the Northern District of New York after the Trump administration’s nominee was found to be serving unlawfully.

Trump’s Trade Deal With India Has Become a Headache for Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a big reduction of sky-high tariffs, but critics said he undermined Indian sovereignty and undercut the nation’s farmers.

COMMENTARY MAGAZINE – MARCH 2026 PREVIEW

Commentary Magazine – A Jewish magazine of politics, high culture, cultural  and literary criticism, American and Israeli campaigns and elections, and  world affairs.

COMMENTARY MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘We Jews Have The Honor Of Being Hated’…

We Jews Have the Honor of Being Hated

Jews must cease hoping to solve anti-Semitism and make their own way forward by Bret Stephens

The Chutzpah of Yoram Hazony

by James Kirchick

‘Zio’ Is the New ‘N-Word’

The Pornography of Anti-Semitism

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY – FEBRUARY 13, 2026 PREVIEW

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY: The latest issue features ‘The Men’s Club’ – Epstein’s world and the attendant role of women…

The latest tranche of the Jeffrey Epstein files have been in the public domain for less than two weeks, but already their contents have sent shock waves around the world.

Nowhere is this more true than in Britain, where the fallout has come to the door of Keir Starmer over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington, amid questions about how much the prime minister knew of his former envoy’s links to Epstein.

Starmer looks to have weathered the immediate pressure to resign this week, despite having lost his influential chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, over the scandal. But the vultures are still circling and it seems a matter of when, rather than if, the prime minister will go. Kiran Stacey weighs up the possible challengers from within the Labour party, while Oliver Holmes and Chris Michael consider why the scandal hit home so hard in the UK.

Spotlight | The last post for press freedom in the US?
Jeff Bezos’s axing of more than 300 jobs at the Washington Post has renewed fears about the resilience of America’s democracy to withstand Donald Trump’s attacks. Ed Pilkington and Jeremy Barr report

Technology | The continuing risks and rewards of AI
As policymakers and tech executives prepare for the next global AI summit in India, an annual safety report highlights the issues that will be at stake, writes Dan Milmo

Interview | Can Zack Polanski pull off a green revolution in the UK?
With polls and membership at an all-time high, the UK Green party is having a moment – and it’s largely down to the party’s charismatic (if slightly cheesy) new leader. Simon Hattenstone went on the road with him

Opinion | What links UK politics and Epstein? A thick seam of contempt
We’re often told the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, is a ‘decent’ man. But in appointing Peter Mandelson he chose political convenience over doing right, argues Nesrine Malik

Culture | The sign language of Margaret Calvert
Airports, road signs, typefaces … the design legend revolutionised how Britain looked and her brilliantly clear designs are still used today. Catherine Slessor met her

The Nation Magazine – MARCH 2026 Preview

March 2026 Issue | The Nation

THE NATION MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘WANTED – Kristi Noem’….

Kristi Noem Must Be Impeached

Members of Congress have a constitutional duty to remove this gangster from office.

Keith Ellison: Trump Hates Minnesotans Because We Love Each Other

The president has gone after us because of who we are and what we value. We have an obligation to resist.

Molly Crabapple’s Time Capsule of Resistance

A new set of note cards by the artist and writer documents scenes of protest in the 21st century.

What the Pro-Choice Movement Can Learn From Those Who Overturned “Roe”

The anti-abortion movement was methodical and radical at the same time. The abortion-rights movement must be too.

“The Nation” Nominates Minneapolis for the Nobel Peace Prize

With their resistance to violent authoritarianism, the people of Minneapolis have renewed the spirit of Dr. King’s call for “the positive affirmation of peace.”

The Real Welfare Fraud Scandal

If the Trump administration were truly concerned with fraud in social services spending, it wouldn’t start with childcare, and it wouldn’t start with Minnesota.

Want to Stop ICE? Go After Its Corporate Collaborators.

ICE can’t function without help from the private sector. So we should force the private sector to stop helping.

The Racist Lie Behind ICE’s Mission in Minneapolis

It was never about straightforward enforcement of immigration law.

How Stephen Miller Became the Power Behind the Throne

Miller was not elected. Nor are he or his policies popular. Yet he continues to hold uncommon sway in the administration.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, 2026

F.A.A. Halts All Flights at El Paso Airport for 10 Days for ‘Security Reasons’

The agency provided no details, but its order will leave one of the largest cities in Texas without air service of any kind until Feb. 20.

Trump Decries a ‘Nation of Renters’ but His New Policy Promotes One

A recent executive order that would bar investors from acquiring single-family homes includes an exemption that allows them to build homes for rent.

Unemployment Rate in Focus as Fed Considers When to Restart Rate Cuts

Mass Shooting in Remote Canadian Town Is One of Deadliest in Nation’s History

Nine people were killed and 25 were injured at a high school and a residence in British Columbia, the police said. The shooter was also found dead.

Grand Jury Rebuffs Justice Dept. Attempt to Indict 6 Democrats in Congress

The rejection was a remarkable rebuke, suggesting that ordinary citizens did not believe that the lawmakers had committed any crimes.

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