Tag Archives: August 2026

THE NEW YORK TIMES – THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026

U.S. Debt Hits $40 Trillion as America’s Borrowing Binge Continues

President Trump’s promises to restore fiscal order and reduce America’s debt have been hampered by spending on the Iran war, tax cuts and tariff refunds.

Trump’s Order to Cut Military Exercises With South Korea Carries Risks, Experts Say

President Trump’s decision to curtail the military exercises came as allies question the U.S. commitment to longstanding alliances.

As Iran and U.S. Settle Into an Uneasy Standoff, Who Will Blink First?

For weeks, there has been no diplomatic progress, but also no full-scale fighting, as both sides seem to believe they can hold out longer than the other.

Russian Missiles Kill at Least 15 in Kyiv as Air Defenses Dwindle

Moscow is taking advantage of Ukraine’s depleted stock of interceptors and is intensifying attacks, worsening the civilian death toll.24m agoBy Constant Méheut

COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE – AUGUST 19, 2026 PREVIEW

COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE: The latest issue features

The legacy
Kate Green hails Gavin Maxwell’s Ring of Bright Water, a remarkable tale of living with otters.

Fifty years young
The King’s Trust is celebrating half a century of supporting young people. Ambassadors explain the secrets of its success and longevity to Paula Minchin.

Spreads of Country Life magazine from the August 19 issue

Country-house treasure
Intricate decorative ceilings at Thirlestane Castle, Berwickshire, catch the eye of John Goodall.

Alexander Campbell’s favourite painting
The Royal Academy of Dance artistic director is moved by a compelling nocturnal scene.

A tower house reborn
Mary Miers explores how the derelict tower house at Balgone in East Lothian has been transformed into a Classical seat.

Spreads of Country Life magazine from the August 19 issue

Whisky galore
From illicitly distilled dram to tipple of choice around the globe, Henry Jeffreys raises a glass to the world’s most popular spirit.

Winging it
Mark Cocker adds the greylag goose to his Unloved Birds’ Club.

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss
James Fisher welcomes Joe Root back to the helm of English cricket.

Interiors
Arabella Youens admires a Blenheim estate house in Oxfordshire and Kuba is king for Amelia Thorpe.

Spreads of Country Life magazine from the August 19 issue

Cool as a cucumber sandwich
This refreshing staple of English picnics is no sarnie-come-lately, reports Deborah Nicholls-Lee, as she reveals its Indian roots.

Arts & antiques
Allan Scott, the scriptwriter and executive producer, tells Carla Passino why he will never part with a prized perpetual calendar.

Luxury
New columnist Justine Picardie admires the Highland influence in the late Queen’s wardrobe and Amie Elizabeth White presents a bonnie Scottish selection.

Spreads of Country Life magazine from the August 19 issue

Clash of the tartans
What does it take to toss the caber and putt the stone? Harry Pearson muscles in on the heavyweight Highland Games.

Heart Nouveau
Robyne Calvert reveals how the bold Glasgow Style of art and design conquered Europe.

Spreads of Country Life magazine from the August 19 issue

Travel
Rosie Paterson experiences the ultimate in luxury camping when visiting a conservation success story in Tanzania.

Rhythm and views
Three decades of dramatic planting has paid off at Craichlaw House in Dumfries and Galloway, as Kirsty Fergusson discovers.

Summer of love
A double bill of innovative open-air Shakespearean comedy benefits from dream casting, suggests Michael Billington.

TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT – AUGUST 21, 2026 PREVIEW

TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT: The latest issue features ‘Fighting Over King Arthur’ – Marion Turner on a legend’s global appeal.

A man of the world

The versatility of Arthur and his legends By Marion Turner

All the lonely people

Nigerian scammers and their targets By Sally Hayden

Matches struck in the dark

How William Empson viewed Virginia Woolf’s diaries By Mark Thompson

Pain and transformation

Frida Kahlo, iconized: ‘I would not like to become famous’ By Miranda France

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY —- AUGUST 21, 2026 PREVIEW

THE GUARDIAN WEEKLY: The latest issue features ‘End Of The Pier Show’ – What Farage’s election gamble says about the state of British politics.

The curtain came down last week on the summer sideshow of the Clacton byelection, called by Nigel Farage amid mounting scrutiny of his finances.

For our big story this week, Daniel Boffey explores what this campaign – in which the Reform UK leader’s main challenger was a parody candidate called Count Binface – tells us about the current state of politics in Britain.

Farage’s byelection win brought the situation full circle as, shortly after he was declared victor, parliament’s standards watchdog announced it had reopened its investigation into him, report Rowena Mason and Peter Walker.

Analysing the result, political correspondent Alexandra Topping brands the contest futile and says that while Farage aimed to make the financial questions surrounding him disappear, it was the MP himself who has been absent from the political stage over the past few weeks.

Spotlight | Scramble for soldiers
As battlefield losses mount, Pjotr Sauer asks whether Vladimir Putin will order another mobilisation

Science | Wing and a prayer
A disease threatening bat species has spread to northern Canada. Trina Moyles reports on the race to find a cure

Feature | A hymn to the weekend
In 1926, Henry Ford gave his employees both Saturdays and Sundays off – and the two-day chunk of time to party, pray or simply do nothing was born. Now the weekend has changed beyond recognition, says Jess Cartner-Morley

Opinion | Meet the second most dangerous man in the US
As chief US diplomat, Marco Rubio could do great good. But, says Simon Tisdall, his pandering and neglect are a disgrace we shouldn’t ignore

Culture | Through my eyes
As their new album is released, Sam Smith talks to Juan A Ramírez about fans, fame and finding sanctuary in New York

THE NEW YORK TIMES – WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19, 2026

A Stunning Win for the Left in Florida: 6 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Primaries

State Representative Angie Nixon, a progressive firebrand, used grass-roots enthusiasm to defeat a moderate. Can it carry her to victory in November?

Ukraine’s Ex-Defense Minister Calls for Election, Cementing Break With Zelensky

Mykhailo Fedorov, a popular young leader who was fired last month, said Russia should not be allowed to dictate when Ukrainians can choose their next government.

With Limited Options, Trump Tries Economic Pressure on Iran — Again

Iran has survived decades of sanctions. Faced with more, it is likely to escalate rather than surrender, analysts said.

Tariffs on Hold as Trump Claims Deal With Canada Is Near

Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada was less definitive about what the intense talks produced, saying “important work” remained.

    THE NEW YORK TIMES – TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026

    Florida Primary Underscores State’s New Identity as a Republican Juggernaut

    The G.O.P. holds every statewide elected office and has drastically swung voter registration. A new congressional map has added four Republican-leaning seats.

    How Israel’s Financial Chokehold Is Stifling the West Bank Economy

    Intensifying restrictions have hit every part of the territory’s dealings, spurring worries about whether the Palestinian Authority can remain solvent.

    Facing Quagmire in Iran, Trump Turns to a Familiar Face: Kim Jong-un

    Seven years ago, President Trump failed to disarm North Korea and walked away. Could the same thing happen with Iran?

    States Seek $200 Billion From Meta Over Child Social Media Addiction Claims

    California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are taking the social media giant to trial in the first bellwether federal case over child harm.

    Silicon Valley Executives Are Tech Fans. Just Not for Their Own Children.

    Parents in the industry are practicing moderation and restraint at home. They might be onto something.

    THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE – AUGUST 24 & 31, 2026

    The cover of the August 24  31 2026 issue of The New Yorker which features two swimmers by a pool.

    THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE: The latest issue cover features Diana Ejaita’s “Before the Plunge” – A moment of stillness.

    Donald Trump Is Still Trying to Make It Harder to Vote

    The SAVE America Act is just one part of a package that includes an executive order and threats of prosecution, all in an effort to make Trump’s math work. By Amy Davidson Sorkin

    The Big, Dumb, Gluttonous Fun of America’s Semiquincentennial

    In D.C. and the Dakotas, at rodeos and powwows, celebrating the country means taking in pride and disappointment and fellow-feeling. By Rachel Monroe

    The End of the European Summer

    As extreme heat overwhelms the Continent’s great cities, they are racing to transform themselves for a climate that they were never built to withstand. By Eric Klinenberg

    THE NEW YORK TIMES – MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2026

    China Wants to Shape What the World’s A.I. Knows

    China is exporting more than A.I. models. It wants to influence chatbots, raising fears that Beijing’s narratives will spread with the technology.

    With A.I. Riches at Stake, Pressures Mount to Share the Wealth

    Iran Is Bracing for Conflict Abroad and at Home

    Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment of loyalists to top jobs suggests he is prepared to keep the country on a war footing and to quash domestic dissent.

    U.S. and Iran Blow Through Deadline to Agree to Broad Deal toEnd War

    President Trump said a cease-fire agreed to in June would lead to limits on Iran’s nuclear program and finish the conflict, but the countries appear far apart.

    Trump’s Overture to Kim Jong-un Strains Alliance With South Korea

    President Trump wants to curtail military exercises with South Korea, saying they were hostile to North Korea. But under Mr. Kim, the North has become increasingly belligerent toward the South.

    THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026

    The U.S. Military Wants A.I. Dominance. Feuds and China May Thwart It.

    The Trump administration is veering wildly in its response to the national security implications of A.I. as China charges ahead.

    Trump’s Other Hold on the Americas: The Visa

    As part of its expansionist approach to the Western Hemisphere, the administration is trying to reassert its dominance, one U.S. visa at a time.

    As Iran War Turns Into Economic Battle, New U.S. Strategy Recalls Old Ones

    The U.S. and Iran are poised to blow past Monday’s self-imposed deadline to broker terms on peace and Iran’s nuclear program.

    How a False Nuclear Claim About Iran Ricocheted From India to Washington

    A dubious post that spread on X became the basis of false claims that Iran’s leadership had declared the country a nuclear power.

    How a Ukrainian Bank Worker Came to Face Life in a Russian Prison

    Artem Murdid, his mother and his girlfriend are accused of terrorism. They say they did nothing wrong.

    BARRON’S MAGAZINE – AUGUST 17, 2026 PREVIEW

    August 17, 2026 - Barron's Magazine

    BARRON’S MAGAZINE: The latest issue features ‘The King Of ETFs’ – After a late start, Vanguard raced ahead with exchange-graded funds under CEO Salim Ramji. What’s next?

    Vanguard Conquered the ETF World. Where It’s Aiming Next.

    Here’s how CEO Salim Ramji plans to bring Vanguard’s low-cost, high-return formula to cash savings, financial advice, and active fixed income.

    Uber Stock Looks Cheap. Here’s Why.

    Its stock is down, but investors shouldn’t overreact to worries about the autonomous-vehicle business.

    This Healthcare Services Stock Has 37% Upside

    Medpace has carved out a niche helping smaller biotechs navigate the regulatory process.

    The Hidden Red Flag in Wall Street’s Price Targets

    Nvidia and other tech stocks have a wide “dispersion” of price targets. Why that could be a problem for investors.