THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY – JANUARY 30, 2026 PREVIEW

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY: The latest issue features ‘Showdown’ – Minneapolis, Ice and A Moment of Truth.

Is the worm turning against Trump? Last week saw a concerted pushback against the US president by western allies over Greenland. This week, it is on the domestic front where the Trump administration seems to be buckling – this time under intense criticism after the killing of another American citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis.

The massive winter storm that swept across North America last weekend could not obscure from the nation video footage of an ICE agent shooting dead Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse and father of three who was seemingly rushing to protect a woman as she was pepper-sprayed by Border Patrol personnel.

As our Washington bureau chief David Smith writes in this week’s big story, the events were seen by many as clear evidence of fascistic overreach and a potential moment of reckoning for Trump in the US. A wave of condemnation from politicians across the political spectrum led to a swift softening of tone from the White House, though not before leading administration figures had wrongly tried to pin the blame on the victim.

From Minneapolis, Rachel Leingang reports on the sense of shock and fury in the city, while in a stark commentary, Francine Prose voices her fears that the US may be on the brink of an authoritarian takeover.

Spotlight | Are Trump’s tantrums pushing America’s allies closer to China?
After a week of diplomatic turmoil, some western nations are turning to a country that many in Washington see as an existential threat. Amy Hawkins reports

Science | Fly me to the moon, again
Nasa is readying its most powerful Artemis II rocket for a new, 1.1 million km lunar circumnavigation flight – and lift-off could come as soon as next week. Science editor Ian Sample sets the scene

Feature | Secrets of the superagers
Why do some people age better than others? Five extraordinary individuals – who scientists are studying – share their tips with Isabelle Aron

Opinion | It’s now clear. Labour needs a new leader – and quickly
UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s dismal decision to block likely leadership challenger Andy Burnham from standing in a byelection has bought him time, but it won’t change his fate, says Polly Toynbee

Culture | Has Netflix killed our attention spans?
Matt Damon has got it right, argues Stuart Heritage: the streaming giant knows we all just watch TV with one hand gripping our smartphones, which is why we need plotlines explaining to us over and over again

PROSPECT MAGAZINE – MARCH 2026 PREVIEW

Prospect's latest issue hits newsstands today! Here's a peek at what's  inside... 1/7 🧵 For the cover essay of his first issue as Prospect's new  editor, @PhilipJCollins1 surveys the wreckage of the

PROSPECT MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Is the party over?’ In his first issue as editor, Philip Collins traces the collapse of traditional British political parties—and what happens next. Jen Stout examines what makes a Ukrainian traitor. Plus: behind the scenes of Ralph Fiennes’ operatic debut

How culture wars hurt the economy

Ben Ansell

What makes a traitor?

Jen Stout

Feminists against progress

James Bloodworth

From the heart: Ralph Fiennes and the making of ‘Eugene Onegin’

Fiammetta Rocco

The unknowable Vermeer

Christopher Bray

What would you give up for happiness?

Imogen West-Knights

LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS – FEBRUARY 5, 2026 PREVIEW

LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS: The latest issue features ‘Visions of America’

Made in Tehran

Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi

Iran’s Grand Strategy: A Political History  by Vali Nasr.

No King

Daisy Hay

Friends until the End: Edmund Burke and Charles Fox in the Age of Revolution by James Grant.


One Life to Lead: The Mysteries of Time and the Goods of Attachment by Samuel Scheffler


El Cid: 
The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary by Nora Berend



THE NEW YORK TIMES – WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28, 2026

As Minneapolis Rages, Legislators Move to Restrict ICE in Their States

Efforts to curtail federal law enforcement tactics began last year, but with the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, Democratic lawmakers are pushing harder.

D.H.S. Review Does Not Say Pretti Brandished Gun, as Noem Claimed

Republicans Shift Tone After Killings, Criticizing Trump’s Immigration Push

Noem’s Handling of Shooting Put Her in Trump’s Penalty Box, but Just Briefly

Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, received a rare rebuke from President Trump but soon seemed to be back in his good graces.

Fed Meeting Comes at Pivotal Moment for Central Bank’s Independence

The Trump administration has put constant pressure on the Federal Reserve, including a criminal investigation into its chair, Jerome Powell.

Iran Killed Thousands of Protesters. Here Are Five of Their Stories.

“He went out for freedom,” said the cousin of one of those who was killed when the Iranian authorities mounted a crackdown on protests across the country.

Trump Renews Threats to Iran

President Trump demanded that Iran enter nuclear talks or face potential attack by an “armada” of U.S. warships.