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
Agnes Stamp meets the cereal-snaffling, bed-wrecking, turkey-wrangling miniature bull terrier who took the title—and rounds up the best (or worst) of the rest
The 39 steps to being a good dog owner
From clamping down on begging to sweetening bad breath, William Hanson presents his guide to modern pet-iquette
Ian Seath’s favourite painting
The Royal Kennel Club chairman chooses a work that celebrates canine collaboration with humans
Pup and coming
There have never been so many options for pampering your pooch. Mary Skipwith explores the rapidly evolving world of canine luxury
Country-house treasure
John Goodall marvels at the extensive 18th-century library at Powderham Castle in Devon
The legacy
Kate Green applauds Enid Blyton for dreaming up the spirited adventures of the Famous Five
A power in the landscape
In the first of two articles, John Goodall explores the early history of Curraghmore in Co Waterford, one of Ireland’s great houses
Bone appétit
Why settle for discarded street snacks when there is succulent chicken on the menu, asks Jack Russell Maud Parker Bowles
Interiors
Arabella Youens investigates interiors designed with pets in mind and Amelia Thorpe shares accessories for the (dog) house
Winging it
Why can’t we learn to love the wood pigeon, asks Mark Cocker
You got me there
David Profumo pursues tricky brown trout in a day on the Test
Everything bar the Oompa Loompas
Harry Pearson visits The Oldest Sweet Shop in England, which has traded in treats since 1827
Luxury
Fruity accessories offer rich pickings for Amie Elizabeth White
Colour for all seasons
Kathryn Bradley-Hole admires the spectacular successional planting in the new gardens of The Copper House in Kent
Travel
Steven King savours the spirit of the Hebrides and the natural beauty of the Isle of Harris during a stay at historic Rodel House
Arts & antiques
The rise of service à la russe in the 19th century turned the tables in upper-class British dining, discovers Carla Passino
To say nothing of the dog
Michael Prodger examines the history of canines on canvas and reveals how artists have warmed to Man’s best friend
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
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
THE NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE:The 7.19.26 Issue features Jeneen Interlandi on how we’re just beginning to understand how our bacteria are talking to one another; Nathaniel Rich on a multimillion dollar data center heist; Ferris Jabr on trying to build an ecologically responsible garden; and more.
The human microbiome is essential to our health, but scientists still know very little about it. Two researchers set out to map this largely uncharted terrain. By Jeneen Interlandi
Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City is riding high. In an era when the public is sour on politics, recent polls show him actually becoming more popular among New Yorkers. It’s fair to say that some of that is vibes: As the Knicks won the N.B.A. championship, Mamdani became one of the team’s main hype men, basking in the reflected glow of their victory; the World Cup has been a raging success with New York City awash with celebrating fans; Taylor Swift got married in a secret celebration in the most visible of New York venues.
The alleged scam, organized by a 24-year-old from Philadelphia, offered athletes ownership of bogus websites as a place to park cash from their lucrative careers.
The Unanswered Questions Driving the Stock Market Drop
The biggest problems aren’t caused by what you don’t know, but what, as Mark Twain put it, “you know for sure that just ain’t so.” And that’s a massive problem for the stock market right now.
Intellicurious 