All posts by She Seeks Serene

My Journey of Reimagining Life, Love and Education

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.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026

New Video Analysis Reveals Flawed and Fatal Decisions in Pretti Shooting

A frame-by-frame assessment of actions by Alex Pretti and the officers who shot him shows how lethal force came to be used against a target who didn’t pose a threat.

A Shocked Nation Watches Minneapolis Killings: ‘Something Needs to Change’

Scenes from the violent unrest in the city played on a loop in many American households, prompting reflection about where the U.S. was heading.

Record Debt in the World’s Richest Nations Threatens Global Growth

The cost of borrowing is already choking crucial public spending in many developing economies. Now it’s raising broader alarms.

Fed, Signaling Little Urgency, Prepares to Pause on Rate Cuts

The Federal Reserve is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday, despite relentless attacks from President Trump over borrowing costs.

Britain Seeks Trade With China Without Prompting Trump’s Fury

Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes to boost his country’s lagging economy with a trip to Beijing. But he must carefully navigate between two superpowers.

India and the European Union Expand Trade Ties

Vowing Higher Tariffs, Trump Rattles South Korea Months After Trade Deal

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – FEBRUARY 2, 2026

Biking delivery workers are carrying food in bright orange boxes during a snow storm in the city.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest issue features Jason Zengerle on Tucker Carlson, Joshua Yaffa on Trump and Greenland, Hermione Hoby on David Foster Wallace, and more.

Trump’s Greenland Fiasco

The President caused a crisis in NATO and deepened European distrust toward the U.S. to end up with basically the same set of options that existed months ago. By Joshua Yaffa

What MAGA Can Teach Democrats About Organizing—and Infighting

Republicans have become adept at creating broad coalitions in which supporting Trump is the only requirement. Democrats get tied up with litmus tests.

How Shinzo Abe’s Assassination Brought the Moonies Back Into the Limelight

A shocking act of political violence exposed the cult’s deep influence. By E. Tammy Kim

THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026

Trump Sends Border Czar to Minnesota to Oversee ICE Operations

President Trump’s envoy, Tom Homan, will arrive Monday and report directly to him. A judge is considering the legality of the government’s crackdown.

Frigid Cold Grips U.S. as Cities Dig Out After Snowstorm

The storm dumps a foot of snow in at least 20 U.S. states.

It’s going to be dangerously cold for days for many people.1h ago

Thousands of flights canceled across the U.S. after the storm.

Remains of Last Captive in Gaza Are Retrieved, Closing a Chapter for Israel

The recovery of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili’s body paves the way for the next stage of the Gaza cease-fire plan, though the path forward is unclear.

Israel Says It Will Reopen Gaza-Egypt Border, a Palestinian Lifeline, in Days

In Xi’s China, Even the Mightiest General Can Fall

A combat veteran, Zhang Youxia was once seen as the most trusted man in Xi Jinping’s military. Now he has been accused of disloyalty to Mr. Xi.

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE- January 25, 2026

Current cover

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE: The 1.25.26 Issue features C.J. Chivers on semiautonomous killer A.I. drones in Ukraine; Jim Rutenberg on the MAGA plan to take over TV; Taffy Brodesser-Akner on seeing the musical “Operation Mincemeat” 13 times; and more.

What Keeps Max Greyserman in Golf Obscurity? Less Than One Stroke Per Round.

He is ranked No. 33 in the world. Can he rise to the top by using lessons from his father’s time on Wall Street?

Inside Kash Patel’s F.B.I.: Meltdowns, Chaos, Vendettas

Forty-five current and former employees on the changes they say are undermining the agency and making America less safe. By Emily Bazelon and Rachel Poser

Takeaways From The Times’s Inside Look at the F.B.I.

Many current and former employees say Kash Patel’s first year as F.B.I. director was marred by vendettas, mismanagement and meltdowns. By Emily Bazelon and Rachel Poser

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026

Videos Appear to Contradict Federal Accounts of Fatal Shooting

Agents Kill 37-Year-Old Man in Minneapolis

Officials said the man was armed and sought to portray him as a terrorist, but videos emerged that appeared to directly contradict their account of the shooting.

How Iran Crushed a Citizen Uprising With Lethal Force

After scattered protests started last month, Iranians revolted en masse. The security forces cracked down, and the death toll has now reached 5,200.

Major Storm Pounds Northeast With Snow and Ice

The winter storm barreling across the U.S. is expected to descend on New York City and the surrounding region today, disrupting transportation through Monday.

The Woman Who Stands Between Donald Trump and Greenland

Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s leader, has taken big risks standing up to the president. It might just be working — for now.

Xi’s Purge of China’s Military Brings Its Top General Down

The ouster of Gen. Zhang Youxia, who was second only to Xi Jinping in the military hierarchy, marks “the total annihilation of the high command,” one analyst said.

The American Scholar Magazine – Winter 2026

TAS_win26_cover

THE AMERICAN SCHOLAR: The latest issue features ‘The Chronicler of Harlem’ – Rudolph Fischer’s singular legacy…

Renaissance Man

Doctor, writer, musician, and orator: Rudolph Fisher was a scientist and an artist whose métier was Harlem By Harriet A. Washington

Acid Blues (Slight Return)

The music of Jimi Hendrix continues to strike a chord By James McManus

Netflix Goes to Vietnam

When a filmmaker wanted to understand the war that changed his father, he decided to make a documentary By Thomas A. Bass

Back to Bellevue

Two deaths nearly five decades apart and the hospital that felt like a nightmare By Natalie Angier