Tag Archives: Books

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026

U.S. and Iran Signal Move Toward Peace Deal, but Details Remain Murky

President Trump said the U.S. and Iran had “largely negotiated” an agreement, even as American and Iranian officials described the terms differently.

With Big Decisions Ahead, the Supreme Court Collides With a Testy Trump

President Trump has alternated between bullying the justices and cozying up to them as the court prepares to announce rulings that will affect his agenda.

Trump Is Setting His Sights on Restricting Legal Immigration

Russia Pummels Kyiv in Major Missile and Drone Attack

Buildings rattled in the Ukrainian capital for hours early Sunday. It was unclear if Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile had been used.

How a Curious FIFA Boardroom Deal Handed Fox an Astounding Bargain

A decision to stave off litigation between Fox and FIFA turned into a bonanza worth hundreds of millions of dollars in discounted World Cup rights to the broadcaster.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2026

Defiant After Bad Week, Trump Pushes Ahead on Politically Unpopular Ideas

President Trump continues to act like he’s politically all-powerful, even in the face of indications that he is not.

Green Card Seekers Must Leave U.S. to Apply, Trump Administration Says

Once Trump’s Co-Pilot Against Iran, Netanyahu Is Now a Mere Passenger

A partner in the war, Israel has been largely left out of the peace talks, a humbling setback for Benjamin Netanyahu with significant risks for the country.

The Risks of Iran’s Threat to Control the Strait of Hormuz

Xi Calls for All-Out Rescue After Coal Mine Explosion Kills at Least 90 in China

The death count rose drastically on Saturday as the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, called for an investigation and emphasized the need to “hold those responsible to account.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES – FRIDAY, MAY22, 2026

In a Rarity, Republicans Stand Up to Trump

President Trump faced a wall of opposition from Senate G.O.P. lawmakers, in part over his plan to create a $1.8 billion fund to reward his allies.

Inside the Senate G.O.P. Meltdown Over Trump’s Fund

The acting attorney general went to Capitol Hill to allay Republicans’ concerns over a fund to pay people who claim government mistreatment. It did not go well.

Iran and Oman in Talks Over Strait of Hormuz Ship Payment System

The discussions suggest that the U.S. and the Iranian government may not be close to reaching a deal to end a war that has badly damaged the global economy

House G.O.P. Cancels Vote to End War as More Party Members Defect

Oil Prices Jump on Impasse Over Reopening the Strait of Hormuz

Before Europe Anoints Someone to Talk to Putin, It Debates What to Talk About

Europeans are considering appointing an envoy to Ukraine peace talks with Russia. First, many warn, they need to decide what to ask.

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY —- MAY 22, 2026 PREVIEW

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY: The latest issue features ‘All At Sea’ – Why are Europe’s leaders so unpopular…

After a week like Keir Starmer just had, what could one possibly do to cheer up the beleaguered UK prime minister? (Aside from his beloved Arsenal winning the Premier League title, that is.)

Perhaps remind him he’s not Friedrich Merz or Emmanuel Macron. Starmer may not be flavour of the month with UK voters or his own Labour MPs right now, but both the German and French leaders have barrel-scraping approval ratings that make the British PM look popular in comparison.

Even among the less-disliked European leaders, Giorgia Meloni of Italy and Pedro Sánchez of Spain are only marginally more liked than Donald Trump is in the US – and neither of them have started a war in Iran.

What’s behind this widespread disaffection for Europe’s leaders? Are they a generationally bad crop of politicians or have they been dealt an impossible hand of social and economic circumstances – or is it a mixture of both?

For our cover story this week, Daniel Boffey asks what Europe’s embattled leaders can do to reverse that sinking feeling. Then, from our UK political team, Pippa Crerar and Peter Walker look back on a week when Starmer was left looking increasingly like an interim PM.

Spotlight | Xi rolled out the red carpet for Trump, but that was all
There was no swift end to the Iran war, uncertainty over Taiwan and only vague outlines of commercial deals – but the US president at least got to bask in the company of his Chinese counterpart, reports David Smith

Technology | Despite rise of AI, is there still hope for Europe’s translators?
A booming tech sector has disrupted translation jobs in publishing – but they could be needed for a while longer yet, writes Philip Oltermann

Feature | The sinister spread of France’s killer seaweed
After a series of deaths on the beaches of Brittany, one bereaved family set out to prove the foul-smelling bloom was to blame. Marta Zaraska investigates

Opinion | Normalising Reform UK’s ideas turns neighbour against neighbour
“Concern” about immigration has now morphed into policing how ethnic minorities exist in our communities, argues Nesrine Malik

Culture | How Backrooms upended the horror movie
It started off just as a creepy picture on the internet. Now it’s the year’s freakiest film. Steve Rose meets its auteur, Kane Parsons, and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve


What else we’ve been reading

 The Guardian’s new list of the 100 best novels of all time provoked extensive discussion in my household. How many have you read? I won’t embarrass myself by divulging my own total, except to admit there is considerable catching up to be done. Graham Snowdon, editor

 Politidex is a Pokémon-like mobile phone game where players can build their own political party by “catching” local councillors and MPs. Having started life as an April Fools’ Day joke, the game’s mission is now to humanise both politics and politicians, says its creator in this interesting pieceBowie Qiu, Marketing manager

THE NEW YORK TIMES – THURSDAY, MAY21, 2026

Fund Shows Acting Attorney General Choosing Loyalty to Trump Over Moderation

Once seen by some as the most conventional of President Trump’s political appointees, Todd Blanche has been uncompromising in his role as acting attorney general.

Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund Appears to Violate Administration’s Own Policies

The fund that could offer payouts to Trump allies seems to contradict a policy instituted under former Attorney General Pam Bondi last year, legal experts said.

Military Fraternity Running Iran Has Long History of Hard-Line Positions

Decision making in Iran is guided by a small group of men associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

U.S. Charges Former Cuban President With Murder in Downing of Planes in 1996

The indictment against Raúl Castro was an extraordinary escalation of the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Cuba’s Communist government.

Nimitz Aircraft Carrier Enters Caribbean as Trump Pressures Cuba

THE NEW YORK TIMES – WEDNESDAY, MAY20, 2026

D.O.J. Hands Trump, His Family and Businesses Immunity From Tax Investigations

The provision is a supplement to a remarkable deal that also created a $1.8 billion fund that is likely to benefit President Trump’s allies.

Prison to Pardons to Payouts: Jan. 6 Rioters Are Elated at Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund

The possibility that people who ransacked the Capitol could get money from the government they attacked is the latest twist in the president’s effort to rewrite the history of Jan. 6.

Early War Goal Was to Install Hard-Line Former President as Iran’s Leader

An Israeli strike designed to free Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from house arrest was part of an effort to bring about regime change and put him in power, U.S. officials said.

Iran Threatens to Strike Beyond the Middle East if the U.S. Resumes Attacks

The warning was issued as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance say progress is being made toward a deal, while keeping open the threat of renewed strikes.

Days After Hosting Trump, Xi Deepens Ties With Putin

China’s leader Xi Jinping called for a halt to fighting in the Middle East, ignored Russia’s war in Ukraine and took a veiled swipe at the United States.

China Warns Against New U.S. Tariffs While Confirming Summit Deals

THE NEW YORK TIMES – TUESDAY, MAY19, 2026

Justices Hint at Strains as Supreme Court Comes Under Scrutiny

In appearances across the U.S., the justices have defended the role of the court, even as what appear to be strained relations among them have emerged.

G.O.P. Supporters Back Trump, but a Third of Them Seek a New Direction for the Party

A New York Times/Siena poll found that while President Trump is very popular within the Republican coalition, a sizable share wants change from the next nominee.

Pivotal Midterm Races in Kentucky and Georgia Highlight Busy Primary Day

Blanche Defends New Fund That Could Pay Trump Allies

Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, answered questions about President Trump’s new $1.8 billion fund for those claiming mistreatment by Democrats.

Top Treasury Lawyer Resigns After Creation of $1.8 Billion Fund

THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026

Trump’s Approval Sinks Amid Unpopular War, Darkening G.O.P. Prospects

With the midterms nearing, President Trump’s approval rating has hit a second-term low, according to the latest New York Times/Siena poll.

A Crack in the Polling Floor Puts Trump in New Territory

Trump’s Taiwan Gambit is Already a Gift to China

President Trump’s open willingness to hold up a $14 billion Taiwan arms package is a win for Beijing. Now China could be weighing how to keep the weapons on ice for as long as it can.

Painful Commute Hits New York as Long Island Rail Road Strikes

More than a quarter-million people commute on the nation’s busiest passenger rail service. Workers, who have not received a raise since 2022, went on strike on Saturday.

Stranded L.I.R.R. Riders Have Few Alternatives. Here’s What to Know.

Trump Withdraws $10 Billion Suit Against I.R.S.

President Trump dismissed his lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, in an apparent effort to effectively settle the case.

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026

Soaring Prices Test Voters’ Finances and Patience With Trump

Just months before another election that may hinge on the economy, the war in Iran has sent the price of gas and other goods soaring.

U.S. Debt Is Now Bigger Than the Economy. That’s Not the Real Problem.

Trump Tightens Grasp on G.O.P. as Cassidy Loss Shows Cost of Defiance

The defeat of Senator Bill Cassidy showed President Trump’s party dominance, but Republicans are bracing for a potential backlash to his presidency in November.

How a Secretive Firm Tried (and Failed) to Fix an Epstein Friend’s Tattered Image

Terakeet, a reputation management firm, attempted to downplay the friendship of the Goldman Sachs general counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, with Jeffrey Epstein.

The Big Questions About Epstein: What The Times Has Learned

Want to See the Epstein Files in Print? Here Are the 3,437 Volumes.

Wave of Ukrainian Strikes Kills at Least 4, Russia Says

More than 550 drones were intercepted or shot down in over a dozen regions, including Moscow, in one of largest attacks of the war.

The New Criterion ———- JUNE 2026 Preview

THE NEW CRITERION: The latest issue features ‘Political philosophy? by Harvey Mansfield; A dream of reason by Bartle Bull; The elephant in the room by Anthony Daniels; Kierkegaard & the age by Jacob Howland; New poems by Morri Creech, Kaily Dorfman, Matthew Stewart & John Poch….