Culture, History, Homes, Magazines, Travel

COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE – JANUARY 7, 2026

January 6, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Portmeirion’ – A vision of the picturesque.

A peculiar genius

Kathryn Ferry salutes the fore-sight of Clough Williams-Ellis a century on from the opening of his Picturesque confection at Portmeirion in Gwynedd

Spreads from Country Life January 7, 2025

Pour show

The winter ritual of wassailing is an ancient plea for abundant apple harvests that is indulged in to this day, finds Laura Parker

Shoot for the stars

Relive the most memorable moments of the past 100 years with 22 incredible images chosen by Lucy Ford, Emily Anderson and Carla Passino

London Life

Will Hosie considers how water defines and divides Londoners and ponders the possible renewal of a rivalry between the National Gallery and Tate Modern, plus our writers have all you need to know this month

In the garden

Grow ground nuts, says Mark Diacono, and enjoy tubers with a taste of nutty new potatoes

Helen Allen’s favourite painting

The executive director of the US Winter Show picks an intriguing portrait sporting a quizzical look

Country-house treasure

John Goodall is captivated by the fighting cats in a 17th-century mosaic above the Long Library fireplace at Holkham Hall, Norfolk

The legacy: Agatha Christie

Kate Green acclaims murder-mystery-writing maestro Agatha Christie, whose 66 detective novels have sold more than two billion copies worldwide

Playing your cards right

Matthew Dennison is holding all the aces as he traces the history of playing cards right back to 9th-century China

The good stuff

Glide seamlessly into 2026 with Amie Elizabeth White’s stylish selections for the ski slopes

Interiors

Giles Kime welcomes the world of possibilities offered by free-standing kitchens and Arabella Youens admires the boot room of a house in Gloucestershire

Shining a light on the past

Carl Linnaeus’s glorious 18th-century herbarium is showcased in a new collection of exquisite photographs by Lena Granefel, discovers Christopher Stocks

Travel

Pamela Goodman takes in peerless Himalayan panoramas from a remote luxury lodge in India and, in her monthly column, wonders what the Normans did for us

Arts & antiques

Actor and poet Leigh Lawson tells Carla Passino why he will never part with memorabilia dedicated to music-hall queen Marie Lloyd, his great-aunt

Scale model

Abundant mackerel was once greeted with garlands thrown into the sea. David Profumo profiles Scomber scombrus

Foreign Affairs, History, Magazines, Opinion, Politics, Reviews

FOREIGN POLICY MAGAZINE – WINTER 2026 PREVIEW

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FOREIGN POLICY MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘The World Minus One’ – The emergence of a post-American order.

The World-Minus-One Moment

Managing the global order with an antagonistic Washington. By Amitav Acharya

The Pillars of the Global Nuclear Order Are Cracking

U.S. allies and partners are taking steps toward a post-American nuclear order.Rebecca Lissner, Erin D. Dumbacher

Can China Replace an Absent America in the Climate Fight?

Beijing never bought the argument that reducing emissions would cause economic harm. Kelly Sims Gallagher

Cyberdefense Enters a Dangerous New Phase

Allies fear that Washington is retreating from leadership at the worst possible time. Rishi Iyengar

News, Newspapers, Opinion, Politics

THE NEW YORK TIMES – TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026

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Venezuela Braces for Economic Collapse From U.S. Blockade

Venezuela could lose the bulk of its oil export revenues this year if the U.S. blockade stays in place, a scenario that would set off a humanitarian crisis.

Zelensky’s Assessment Darkens as Europeans Gather to Talk Peace

With Russia still seen as unlikely to stop fighting Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tone has shifted from upbeat to cautionary.

Stephen Miller Asserts U.S. Has Right to Take Greenland

Why Trump Refused to Back Machado: Fears of Chaos, and Fraying Ties

In China, a Debate About Political Power Ignites After Maduro’s Capture

The reactions revealed a society divided: Some saw what happened in Venezuela as a playbook for seizing Taiwan, while others warned about ideological rigidity.

Chevron’s Risky Bet to Stay in Venezuela May Now Give It an Advantage

Arts & Literature, Culture, Magazines, Opinion, Politics, Reviews

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – JANUARY 12, 2026

January 5, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

People walking down a freezing street pass a cat snuggly sleeping in a window.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest cover features Harry Bliss’s “Wintry Mix” – Braving the cold.

What Will New York’s New Map Show Us?

Voters voted for it, even if they weren’t sure what it was. But maps are the ideal metaphor for our models of what the world might be. By Adam Gopnik

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Big Breakup

The congresswoman split with the President over the Epstein files, then she quit. Where will she go from here? By Charles Bethea

The Making of the First American Pope

Will Pope Leo XIV follow the progressive example of his predecessor or chart a more moderate course? His work in Chicago and Peru may shed light on his approach. By Paul Elie

News, Newspapers, Opinion, Politics

THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026

January 5, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

Maduro Arrives at Manhattan Courthouse as Trump Expands Threats

Nicolás Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan leader, and his wife were set to be arraigned on drug trafficking and other charges.

After Venezuela, Trump Offers Hints About What Could Be Next

President Trump’s comments about Greenland, Colombia and Cuba offered a glimpse of how emboldened he feels after the quick capture of Venezuela’s leader.

A Test for Venezuela’s New Leader: Solidifying Power, but Pleasing Trump

Delcy Rodríguez must appease constituencies who loathe U.S. meddling while fielding Washington’s demands.

In Ukraine, a New Arsenal of Killer A.I. Drones Is Being Born

As the war grinds on, sophisticated Russian defenses have pushed Ukraine to develop a frightening new weapon: semiautonomous killing machines.

News, Newspapers, Opinion, Politics

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026

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Trump Plunges U.S. Into a New Era of Risk in Venezuela

President Trump opened a new chapter in American nation building as he declared that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela for an indefinite period.

How Trump Fixed On a Maduro Loyalist as Venezuela’s New Leader

Inside the U.S. Operation to Oust Venezuela’s President

Inside Mamdani’s Decision to Revoke Executive Orders That Backed Israel

Among the tasks left for Mayor Zohran Mamdani by his predecessor, Eric Adams, were two politically delicate measures related to Israel and antisemitism.

Ukrainian Political Reawakening Puts Pressure on Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky is reshuffling his cabinet as a corruption scandal reshapes the political landscape at a pivotal point in peace negotiations.

Magazines, Opinion, Politics, Reviews

Reason Magazine – February 2026 Preview

January 3, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

Reason magazine, February/March 2026 cover image

REASON MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘New York Turns Red’ – What Zohran Mamdani’s rotten ideas could do to the Big Apple.

Mamdani Can’t Ruin New York

Mayors come and go, but New York City remains fundamentally itself. Katherine Mangu-Ward

Zohran Mamdani’s Socialist Housing Plan Could Crash New York’s Rickety Rental Market

The city has the nation’s most regulated housing sector and the largest stock of government-owned and subsidized housing, and yet progressives blame its real estate troubles on the free market. Howard Husock

Is Zohran Mamdani Coming Around to Housing Deregulation?

New York’s new mayor has moved away from some of his far-left beliefs, acknowledging that private businesses play an important role in homebuilding. Christian Britschgi

NYC Schools Are Losing Students and Burning Cash. Mamdani Could Make the Situation Worse.

New York schools need more choice and better curricula, but the city’s new mayor wants to take choices away. Danyela Souza Egorov

Culture, Magazines, Opinion, Politics, Reviews

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE – January 5, 2026

January 3, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE: The 1.4.26 Issue features the untold story of how Jeffrey Epstein got rich; the Rhinelander v. Rhinelander trial, one of the most scandalous trials of the Jazz Age; Supreme Court lawyer Thomas Goldstein’s double life as a high-stakes gambler; and more.

In Ukraine, a New Arsenal of Killer A.I. Drones Is Being Born

As the war grinds on, sophisticated Russian defenses have pushed Ukraine to develop a frightening new weapon: semiautonomous killing machines.

‘I Was Just So Naïve’: Inside Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break With Trump

How the Georgia congresswoman went from the president’s loudest cheerleader to his loudest Republican critic. By Robert Draper

A Rupture Over Israel Is Tearing MAGA Apart

For 40 years, Christian Zionism was a powerful force in American politics. A new generation on the right is taking cues from elsewhere. By Jonathan Mahler

Business, Finance, Investing, Magazines, Retirement

BARRON’S MAGAZINE – JANUARY 5, 2025

January 3, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

BARRON’S MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Best Income Investments for 2026’ – We rank 12 sectors from Treasuries to REITs. Why dividend stocks come out on top.

Best Income Ideas for 2026: Dividend Stocks, Energy Pipelines, and Other Top Picks

Barron’s consistently favored equities over bonds for income in the past decade, and we’re sticking with that bias in the new year.

Charles Schwab Is Back on Offense. Its Stock Is a Buy.

The company’s problems of two years ago are well behind it, and shares appear poised for more gains.

Alibaba, Kering, and 5 More International Bargain Stocks for 2026

Non-U.S. stocks look poised for another standout year, fueled by rising earnings and falling interest rates. Where to shop now.

Even Permabears Have Portfolios. Where Jeremy Grantham Sees Value Now.

The veteran investor and co-founder of GMO likes quality stocks, international value, and Japan.

How Jeremy Grantham Nearly Lost It All and Became a Value Investor

Grantham, co-founder of money manager GMO, had a nasty but illustrative run-in with speculative small-caps early in his storied career. Here’s an excerpt from his new book, “The Making of a Permabear.”

It’s Time to Unleash the Public Markets

Overzealous regulators are getting in the way of the real economy, Amar Bhidé writes in a guest commentary.

Nike CEO Buys $1 Million of Stock as Insiders Bet on a Turnaround

Elliott Hill’s late-December purchase was his first open-market stock buy of 2025.

News, Newspapers, Opinion, Politics

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2026

January 3, 2026 She Seeks Serene Leave a comment

U.S. CAPTURES MADURO, TRUMP SAYS

Venezuelan Leader Flown Out of Country After ‘Large-Scale’ Attack

Trump to Address the Nation This Morning

The Trump administration had been working for months to oust Nicolás Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013.
In an interview with The Times, President Trump said “a lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops” were responsible for the mission’s success.

Why Haven’t Trump’s Tariffs Had a Bigger Economic Impact?

Steep import taxes have raised prices and affected U.S. businesses, but not quite as much as expected. A new report offers some reasons.

Mamdani Acts on Vow to Protect Renters With Move Against a Big Landlord

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said New York City would intervene in the Pinnacle Group’s bankruptcy case. Tenants have long complained about the company’s properties.

A Burning Ceiling, a Pulse of Heat and ‘I Felt Like I Was on Fire’

Right before the blaze that killed 40 people at a Swiss bar, fireworks attached to Champagne bottles sent up sparks that appeared to have ignited insulation.