THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – DECEMBER 15, 2025

The lights of traffic on a New York City avenue form a festive Christmas tree.

THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest cover features ‘Pierre-Emmanuel Lyet’s “Christmas Avenue”’ – The celebratory chaos of the season.

The Trump Administration’s Chaos in the Caribbean

Pete Hegseth’s conduct is a case study in how the government’s growing sense of heedlessness and unaccountability is shaping disastrous policy. By Jonathan Blitzer

Oliver Sacks Put Himself Into His Case Studies. What Was the Cost?

The scientist was famous for linking healing with storytelling. Sometimes that meant reshaping patients’ reality. By Rachel Aviv

How to Leave the U.S.A.

In the wake of President Trump’s reëlection, the number of aggrieved Americans seeking a new life abroad appears to be rising. The Netherlands offers one way out. By Atossa Araxia Abrahamian

THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2025

Obamacare Users Face Higher Deductibles, Higher Premiums

People who have insurance under the Affordable Care Act are being asked to pay more for plans that will cover less of their care.

China’s Trade Surplus Climbs Past $1 Trillion for First Time

President Trump’s tariffs weren’t enough to hold back the global export flood by China, which pushed past last year’s record in just 11 months.

China’s Weak Currency Is Powering Its Exports, Drawing Criticism

Supreme Court Considers Trump’s Power to Fire Independent Officials

The Supreme Court has generally allowed the firings to take effect through temporary emergency orders. This case is an opportunity for a conclusive ruling.

These Independent Agencies Could Be Affected by a Supreme Court Case

Must the Military Disobey Unlawful Orders? Pam Bondi Has Said Yes.

As a lawyer, Ms. Bondi, now the attorney general, filed a Supreme Court brief last year saying service members who followed such orders were committing crimes.

PREVIEW: THE EUROPEAN CONSERVATIVE – WINTER ’25

THE EUROPEAN CONSERVATIVE: The latest issue features a section on the life and work of Spanish political thinker, Dalmacio Negro Pavón; – an interview with Curtis Yarvin; – a defense of The Camp of the Saints; – a review of The Golden Thread; – a tribute to Iryna Zarutska; – and much, much more.


Big Europe Has Lost the War Over Ukraine

The EU’s claim to be a global power player stands exposed as the fantasies of an ageing pretender.

Virtue and Defiance Can Stir Even the Darkest Ideologues

The martyred young risked and ultimately accepted death to defend a culture that they believed was worth the sacrifice.

The Anti-Israel Tantrum Threatening To Break Eurovision

Four nations have declared they will boycott next year’s song contest over the inclusion of the Jewish State. Good riddance.

PHILOSOPHY NOW MAGAZINE DECEMBER ’25/JANUARY 2026

PHILOSOPHY NOW MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘The Happiness Issue’

Hedonic Treadmills in the Vale of Tears

Michael Gracey looks at how philosophers have pursued happiness.

Arthur Schopenhauer: Philosophy’s Dr Feelgood

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), the author of The World as Will and Representation, was a profound metaphysician who also advocated basing ethics upon compassion. He was a great philosopher, but notoriously pessimistic, as the following quotations might suggest.

The Good Life Paradox

Matthew Hammerton points out that a meaningful life and a life that goes well for you might not be the same thing.

Deconstructing Happiness

Abdullah Rayhan breaks down ‘happiness’ with Boethius, Kierkegaard & Montaigne.

Ancient Indian Wisdom for a Restless Age

Jahnvi Borgohain looks at a variety of approaches to happiness.

The Necessary Ache

Tara Daneshmand on regret and the courage to choose.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025

Conservative Project at Supreme Court Meets Trump’s Push to Oust Officials

President Trump has repeatedly ousted leaders of independent agencies despite federal laws meant to shield those regulators from politics.

How Biden Ignored Warnings and Lost Americans’ Faith in Immigration

Former President Biden and his top advisers rejected recommendations that could have eased the border crisis that helped return Donald Trump to the White House.

For Landmark Test of Executive Power, Echoes of a 1930s Supreme Court Battle

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s efforts to dismiss a Federal Trade Commission leader offer parallels to the current fight over President Trump’s actions.

Superpower Competition: The Missing Chapter in Trump’s Security Strategy

President Trump is shifting from discussion of the long-lasting competition among the world’s biggest economies and nuclear powers.

Hegseth Skirts Questions About Releasing Video of Sept. 2 Boat Attack

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE – Dec. 7, 2025

In this issue, David Darlington on the dangers of e-bikes; Carlo Rotella on A.I. in the classroom; Lizzy Goodman on the music of Shaboozey; and more.

THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE: The 12.7.25 Issue features David Darlington on the dangers of e-bikes; Carlo Rotella on A.I. in the classroom; Lizzy Goodman on the music of Shaboozey; and more.

The Shocking Crash That Led One County to Reckon With the Dangers of E-Bikes

Unregulated e-bikes are a growing danger on American streets. In one Bay Area town, a terrible accident finally led to reform.

Why Does A.I. Write Like … That?

If only they were robotic! Instead, chatbots have developed a distinctive — and grating — voice .By Sam Kriss

He Had the Worst Bloody Nose of His Life. That Was Just the Beginning.

The man’s unchecked bleeding was a mystery for years before a scan revealed the cause. By Lisa Sanders, M.D.

The Dark Secrets of the Writer Behind ‘Train Dreams’

An adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella arrives at the same time as a new biography, unlocking one of his best-loved and least-understood books.

BARRON’S MAGAZINE – DECEMBER 8, 2025

The New Private-Equity Billionaires Who Are Taking Over Wall Street

BARRON’S MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘Wall Street’s New Rich’ – Private-market upstarts are taking over from legacy banks. The names to watch – and the dangers to watch our for.

The New Private-Equity Billionaires Who Are Taking Over Wall Street

Private-market institutions are taking over from old-line legacy banks. The names to watch—and the dangers to watch out for.

Netflix Is Paying a Fortune for the Warner Deal—and Taking on Debt

Wall Street isn’t hiding how worried it is about the acquisition. The stock is taking a hit.

Nasdaq Lists Some Tiny IPOs That Go Up in Flames. Regulators Are Cracking Down.

Since 2023, there have been over 230 offerings below $15 million apiece on Nasdaq, compared with 33 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Retirees, It’s Time for Your Year-End Portfolio Review. Here’s What to Do.

A good year for stocks—and big gains in tech—may be making your portfolio too risky. How to get it in shape for 2026.

Productivity Is About to Slump—and AI Won’t Come to the Rescue

The history of technological innovation suggests it will take longer to reap the benefits of artificial intelligence than its champions realize. That spells problems for the economy.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025

Battlefield Picture Worsening for Ukraine as Trump Pushes Peace Plan

Russian forces have advanced on several fronts in recent weeks. Vladimir Putin says Russia will achieve its territorial aims by whatever means necessary.

Trump’s National Security Strategy Focuses on Profit, Not Spreading Democracy

President Trump’s new strategy describes a country that is focused on doing business and reducing migration while avoiding passing judgment on authoritarians.

The Supreme Court, Once Wary of Partisan Gerrymandering, Goes All In

The court’s conservative majority said that Texas’ asserted political motives justified letting the state use voting maps meant to disadvantage Democrats.

Have Trump’s Tariffs Hit the ‘High-Water Mark’?

Companies are petitioning for exemptions from the Trump administration’s high levies on foreign-made goods, saying they hurt business and raise prices.

Angst Turns to Anger in Hollywood as Netflix Hooks Warner Bros.

Much of the entertainment capital fears that Netflix’s deal will lead to more job losses and theater closings and fewer boundary-pushing movies.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025

Panel Votes to End Recommendation for Hepatitis B Shots for Newborns

The divisiveness and dysfunction surrounding the decision raised questions about the reliability of the process — and the future of the C.D.C.

Consumer Prices Rose Slightly in September

The most recent Personal Consumption Expenditures index was delayed because of the government shutdown.

Trump’s Approval Rating Dips as Views of His Handling of the Economy Sour

Netflix to Buy Warner Bros. in $83 Billion Deal, Creating a Streaming Colossus

The deal to acquire the Hollywood giant’s television and film studios as well as HBO Max will bulk up the world’s biggest paid streaming service.

Videos Said to Show Boat-Strike Survivors Waving From Overturned Hull

A new detail about the survivors of a U.S. strike in the Caribbean further complicates the military’s explanations for launching a follow-up attack.

Second Strike Scrutiny Obscures Larger Question About Trump’s Boat Attacks

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE – DECEMBER 6, 2025 PREVIEW

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘How AI is rewiring childhood

How AI is rewiring childhood

The technology presents dazzling opportunities—and ominous risks

Enough dithering. Europe must pay to save Ukraine

America will not. Europe’s security depends on agreeing how to

Syria’s transition has gone better than expected

The president has been a deft diplomat, but must do more reassure Syrians

Chris Waller, not Kevin Hassett, should lead the Federal Reserve

President Trump should choose the technocrat over the partisan

News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious