Category Archives: Politics

THE NEW YORK TIMES – FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2026

Strikes Persist After Iran Is Said to Reject U.S. Cease-Fire Proposal

American forces conducted another round of attacks on Iran, which launched drone strikes at U.S. targets in the Gulf.

War and Tariffs Threaten a Resilient U.S. Economy Again

As renewed fighting with Iran sends oil and gas prices soaring, President Trump has imposed new global tariffs that could push up prices further.

New U.S. Tariffs Aimed at Over 80 Countries Go Into Effect

Phones in Hand, India’s Young Protesters Blast Through Modi’s Media Control

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tightly constructed image is being punctured as a Gen Z-led protest movement uses videos and memes to seize the digital narrative.

HISTORY TODAY MAGAZINE – AUGUST 2026 PREVIEW

History Today August 2026
HISTORY TODAY MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Caesar and Cicero’s War of Words’

How Inevitable Was the Rise of the Chinese Communist Party?

It is the most powerful political party in the world, controlling China’s future as well as its past, but was the young CCP in control of its imperial destiny?

Charles Darwin’s Sexual Revolution

The potential implications of Charles Darwin’s theory of sexual selection did not sit well with Victorian gender mores – or with Darwin himself.

‘Empress Matilda’ by Elisabeth van Houts review

Empress Matilda: Queen of the Romans, Ruler of the English by Elisabeth van Houts is a sympathetic biography of the woman who would be king.

Caesar and Cicero’s War of Words

As ancient Rome was divided by civil war Cicero found himself torn. Caesar was his old adversary, but he was also powerful, and it was politically and personally expedient to support him.

Making Crusading Great Again?

Would St Augustine have considered the US attack on Iran a just war? The pope and the vice president are split on the matter.

The Free Brazilian Press

Brazil’s first newspaper was published from London by an exiled Freemason on first-name terms with British royalty. Who was Hipólito da Costa and what was his news?

1936’s Promise of Peace: Roosevelt on Campaign

In August 1936 Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a boldly pacifist campaign speech, promising no American would have to go to war. It had seemed a realistic promise.

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE – JULY 25, 2026 PREVIEW

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Should You Be Afraid Of Elon Musk?’…

Should you be afraid of Elon Musk?

Artificial intelligence is charging ahead. Not even its creators know how to keep up

Lebanon has a chance to break free of Hizbullah

With better government, it could become a business hub once again

Prediction markets need better rules

Their capricious settlement mechanisms are putting off serious investors

Britain’s troublingly nostalgic new prime minister

In an era of change, Andy Burnham promises to rewind the clock

THE NEW STATESMAN MAGAZINE – JULY 24, 2026

THE NEW STATESMAN: The latest issue features ‘The Take Over’ – Inside Andy Burnham’s first days in No. 10….

The take over

In his first days in No 10, Andy Burnham showed his determination to do politics differently By Ailbhe Rea

No laughing matter

Jim Davidson and Nigel Farage represent an England that will not go quietly By Nicholas Harris

Gabriel Zucman: “There is an extreme wealth curse”

The French economist on the lies the rich tell us about wealth tax By Will Dunn

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY —- JULY 24, 2026 PREVIEW

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY: The latest issue features ‘Up In Flames’ – Are we ready for the age of global wildfires?

Across the globe, wildfires are on the move. Acrid smoke from huge Ontario fires choked major cities across Canada and the US last week, while in western Europe, France, Portugal and Spain have each been torched by a record-breaking number of blazes for this time of year.

In the UK, parched conditions after a hot dry summer have helped fuel blazes from national parks to cities. Last weekend, firefighters were tackling a blaze on Arthur’s Seat, the volcanic outcrop in the middle of Edinburgh. The week before, dozens of crews were confronted by a wildfire in north-east London.

Because of the climate crisis, fires are burning simultaneously in more places around the world – and they are often hotter, less predictable, and greater in number. For our big story, Ajit Niranjan surveys what seems to be a new normal and considers the impossible decisions specialist fire crews are making when multiple fires are burning in different parts of the world.

In Australia, bushfires have always been part of the country’s landscape. Graham Readfearn talks to some of those who have learned to live with the ever-present danger and asks what they can teach others in this rapidly changing world.

Spotlight | Trump is risking midterm disaster. Why?
Less than a month after hailing a ceasefire, Trump resumed strikes on Iran – a move experts warn could prolong the war and hurt Republicans in upcoming elections. Robert Tait asks what is going on

Science | Is the world facing a male reproductive crisis?
Reports of falling sperm counts and testosterone levels have fuelled fears over chemicals, pollution and modern lifestyles. Hannah Devlin investigates

Feature | The business of rewilding
Intensive farming has all but destroyed England’s ancient woodlands and freshwater wetlands. On a farm in Lincolnshire, a radical aristocrat hopes to show there’s money in protecting nature. Patrick Barkham went to find out

Opinion | What’s left after this World Cup? A kind of messy hope
Kazakhs cheering Uzbeks, Bengalis wild for Argentina … This tournament was once a playground for nationalism. Now it shows how flimsy that allegiance is, argues Jonathan Liew

Culture | All shook up: the return of Alabama Shakes
With Brittany Howard at the helm, the American three-piece band are back with a new album railing against the state of the US in 2026. Dave Simpson caught up with them

THE NEW YORK TIMES – THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026

Oil Prices Surge After Attacks in Red Sea

The price of Brent crude rose to almost $99 a barrel as Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen claimed strikes on two Saudi tankers. The U.S. and Iran showed no letup in their fighting.

Recent Attacks Show Iran Retains Ability to Inflict Damage on U.S. Targets

Video footage and satellite images reveal new details about Iranian strikes on U.S. targets in the Middle East during the latest flare-up in fighting.

U.S.-Saudi Deal Prompts Fears of a Global Nuclear Arms Race

In Europe, Asia and the Middle East, nations seek nuclear capabilities to hedge against aggressive neighbors, potentially creating a more freewheeling era.

Oil-Rich Saudi Arabia Isn’t Short on Energy. Here’s Why It’s Going Nuclear.

The world’s largest exporter of crude oil stands to benefit from diversifying its energy sources — and freeing up more oil to sell.

A New Target for Ukraine’s Long-Range Attacks: Russia’s Version of Amazon

Kyiv is escalating its air war by striking commercial warehouses, trying to bring the conflict closer to home for ordinary Russians.

HARPER’S MAGAZINE – AUGUST 2026 PREVIEW

HARPER’S MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Holy War’ – The American Pope and the Catholic Church’s Progressive Revival….

Radical Reformation

The Catholic Church’s progressive revival by Jack Hanson

A Dying Art

The last of the morticians  by John Semley

Blue Bowls

On misreading Doris Lessing by Cynthia Zarin

THE NEW YORK TIMES – WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026

Saudis Reach Deal With U.S. That Could Let Them Enrich Nuclear Fuel

The agreement, which officials said would be announced today, is likely to set off a debate on whether the Saudis can be trusted with the technology.

Expected U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Stokes Israeli Concerns of Regional Arms Race

Rubio Signals No Letup in U.S. Strikes

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said U.S. attacks would continue as long as Iran tried to control the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that Tehran was “not serious” about diplomacy.

See How Houthis Put the Red Sea, an Alternative Oil Route, at Risk

Saudi Arabia has diverted huge amounts of oil to the Red Sea since the war began. Now Iranian-backed Houthi militants say they intend to block that route.

Mamdani Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Criminal’ and Calls on U.S. to Arrest Him

Mayor Zohran Mamdani challenged the United States to execute an international arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, which New York itself cannot do.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026

The U.S. Is Pulling Back on Energy Efficiency Just as Prices Are Rising

The Trump administration is undoing fuel-saving efforts even as the war in Iran, data centers and heat waves are pushing up gasoline and electricity costs.

Trump Rejected Nearly 6,000 Clemency Applications Amid Hope of Pardon Wave

Expectations were raised for a raft of pardons in connection with the country’s 250th birthday, but President Trump granted fewer than 20 on July 3.

Burnham Promises Hope and Change. The Hurdles Remain High.

Britain’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, promised policies that would give people financial “breathing space.” His opponents are already doling out criticism.

Houthis in Yemen Edge Closer to Entering U.S.-Iran War

The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has declared a Red Sea blockade on Saudi Arabia, potentially opening a new front in the war.

U.S. and Iran Launch Attacks for 10th Straight Night

News Analysis

When Protesters Speak, Zelensky Listens, in the Ukrainian Tradition

With anger high over the firing of the defense minister, the president’s office is signaling an openness to compromise.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – JULY 27, 2026 PREVIEW

New Yorkers enter and exit the subway dressed in towels and ready for a sauna.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest issue cover features “Spa Day,” by Marcellus Hall.

Trump’s War on Journalists

The recent subpoenas of reporters make clear that the President is trying to threaten the press. Few protections are in place to stop him. By Ruth Marcus

How Biden Enabled Israel’s Aggression Toward Gaza—and Iran

Top officials from the previous Administration now express regret over their failure to rein in Netanyahu.

María Corina Machado’s Opposition in Exile

The Venezuelan politician hoped to become her country’s leader with help from the U.S. The Trump Administration had other priorities. By Stephania Taladrid