ORION MAGAZINE: Orion’s Summer 2026 issue, The Deep Dive, explores humanity’s enduring relationship with cetaceans. From the violence of the whaling industry to the nuances of whale song, contributors trace our evolving entanglement with the world’s largest mammals—how we have been a threat to them in the past, our intertwined struggles in the present, and what we might do to ensure their continued survival. Rich with wonder and delight, the issue asks not only how we have shaped whales’ existence, but how they have indelibly left their mark on ours. This issue is also slightly longer than a standard issue of Orion—an invitation to dive into summer reading. Inside:
Kate Green celebrates the astronomical achievements of Edmond Halley, who calculated the orbits of some 24 comets
Weeding out the wildflowers
John Lewis-Stempel explores Ralph Waldo Emerson’s view of a weed as ‘a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered’
The great escape
When wandering Ouessant ram Max goes walkabout, it makes for a testing shearing day for John Lewis-Stempel
On red alert
History suggests that Bordeaux is best in years ending in a five — and 2025 is promising to maintain the sequence, says Harry Eyres
Country Life International
Jack Watkins treads in the foot-steps of Lord Byron in Ravenna, Corinne Julius is seduced by ceramics in Puglia, Holly Kirkwood seeks out the best properties for sale, Anna Tyzack finds artistic inspiration in Mallorca and Russell Higham charts the story of the Scarlatti dynasty in Naples
Portraits of a lady
Obsessively painting her own image helped Frida Kahlo confront the pain that blighted her life, reveals Jessica Lack
Peter Layton’s favourite painting
The artist has his head in the clouds of a van Gogh classic
Country-house treasure
John Goodall takes a shine to an exceptional example of Italian craftsmanship at Highclere Castle in Hampshire
Wedded to the landscape
Kathryn Ferry commends the labour of love that Clough and Amabel Williams-Ellis created at Plas Brondanw in Gwynedd
Shepherd’s delight
Skies streaked with crimson hues are a spectacular sight for Deborah Nicholls-Lee
Winging it
Mark Cocker profiles the white-tailed eagle, the apex predator of the Unloved Birds’ Club
Luxury
Amie Elizabeth White eyes Egyptian jewels and Sir Quentin Blake clothing, plus a few of Corin Mellor’s favourite things
Interiors
Arabella Youens admires a restful bedroom transformation and Giles Kime celebrates the graceful ageing of verdigris
Seasons to be cheerful
Caroline Donald applauds the invention and imagination at play in the glorious gardens of Broadwoodside, East Lothian
Travel
Jo Rodgers unearths sheltered combes and steep coastlines as she heads far from the madding crowds in south Devon
Arts & antiques
Carla Passino meets Scotland’s first warriors as a new exhibition explores the long, bloody history of conflict north of the Border
Chipmakers led the way down in South Korea, where the main index plunged 10 percent. Stocks in Europe were lower and S&P 500 futures pointed to a sharp fall.
After Iran weaponized the waterway by making it too dangerous for businesses, experts say, the country is now looking to charge fees to vessels seeking to transit the vital water.
President Trump said Iran had agreed to the “highest level” inspections, hours after an Iranian official said there were “no detailed discussions on the nuclear issue.”
Secretary General Mark Rutte is headed to Washington. His style has at times frustrated the very European leaders who need him to hold the alliance together.
Keir Starmer stepped down as leader of the Labour Party. Andy Burnham, the party’s most popular politician, said he would seek the prime minister’s job.
Vice President JD Vance was expected to meet with Iranian negotiators on Sunday. Pakistan, an intermediary in the talks, said it was sending a delegation.
From Delta’s Bastian to Exxon Mobil’s Woods, these 25 leaders have positioned their companies for long-term success.
SpaceX Shares Are Hot. This Looming Event Could Derail Them.
The aftermath of SpaceX’s public offering saw the shares soar, in part because of demand outstripping supply. But that could soon end as a staggered release of lockups makes more shares available.
General Motors Is a Cash-Compounding Machine. Buy the Stock.
Share repurchases have boosted the stock. There are other reasons to buy.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, once seen as a secondary front to the war on Iran, has become one of the main obstacles to ending it.
Fighting Persists in Lebanon, Complicating Iran Peace Talks
The Israeli military said it had exchanged fire with Hezbollah overnight, hours after a new cease-fire came into effect. Clashes in Lebanon derailed U.S.-Iran peace talks planned for Friday.
After propelling Zohran Mamdani to mayor, the Democratic Socialists of America are trying to take down incumbents in the House and the State Legislature.
California has failed to protect private property from squatters. Desperate owners are turning to katana-wielding enforcers to reclaim their homes. Christian Britschgi
AI Is Already Beating Human Doctors in Medical Tests
Robo-docs are not likely to take over healthcare anytime soon, but they could do more to assist human doctors—if we let them. Elizabeth Nolan Brown
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious
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