A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, the coming house-price slump, why Xi Jinping has no interest in succession planning (10:10) and how to make better use of antidepressants (19:29).
Category Archives: Opinion
Preview: The New Republic Magazine – November 2022
The Chief Justice Who Isn’t
How John Roberts lost control of the Supreme Court
Did Liz Truss Kill Reaganomics?
Here in the United States, Republicans still fully intend to cut taxes. But they’ve largely stopped campaigning on it.
The New Republic – November 2022
Previews: The Economist Magazine – Oct 22, 2022
Welcome to Britaly
A country of political instability, low growth and subordination to the bond markets
In 2012 liz truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, two of the authors of a pamphlet called “Britannia Unchained”, used Italy as a warning. Bloated public services, low growth, poor productivity: the problems of Italy and other southern European countries were also present in Britain. Ten years later, in their botched attempt to forge a different path, Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng have helped make the comparison inescapable. Britain is still blighted by disappointing growth and regional inequality. But it is also hobbled by chronic political instability and under the thumb of the bond markets. Welcome to Britaly.
Previews: The Guardian Weekly – October 21, 2022
Living with long Covid. Plus Xi Jinping’s historic party congress
The October 21, 2022 cover story this week steps back from the news agenda to explore the impact of living with long Covid. For millions of people worldwide who have survived initial infection with the virus, recovery is slow. Symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and loss of smell or taste persist for months and, as our science editor Ian Sample explains, treatments that work for some may not be successful for others.
This week delegates to the Chinese Communist party’s 20th congress are in Beijing where they are expected to rubber stamp Xi Jinping’s historic third term as leader. Our big story looks at what the president’s supremacy means for the country and its closest neighbour – Taiwan – which lives in the shadow of Xi’s avowed intention to bring the island back under China’s tutelage.
Preview: New York Times Magazine – Oct 23, 2022
The Problem of Marjorie Taylor Greene
What the rise of the far-right congresswoman means for the House, the G.O.P. and the nation.
Mayor Michelle Wu Wants to Change Boston. But Can Boston Change?
“We can’t take only safe steps,” the groundbreaking mayor says, “that get us to maybe mediocre outcomes.”
Preview: The New Yorker Magazine – Oct 24, 2022
Inside the U.S. Effort to Arm Ukraine
Since the start of the Russian invasion, the Biden Administration has provided valuable intelligence and increasingly powerful weaponry—a risky choice that has paid off in the battle against Putin.
What We’ve Lost Playing the Lottery
The games are a bonanza for the companies that states hire to administer them. But what about the rest of us?
Who Paul Newman Was—and Who He Wanted to Be
He thought his success was just a matter of hard work and good luck. Other people had a different perspective.
Opinion: Xi Tightens His Grip, Emerging Market Calm, Legalizing Cocaine
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, China’s next chapter, why emerging markets look unusually resilient (10:05) and why it is time to legalise cocaine (15:40).
An obsession with control is making China weaker but more dangerous
The Communist Party’s five-yearly congress will further tighten one man’s grip
Sunday Morning: Stories From Zurich And London
Monocle’s editorial director, Tyler Brûlé, Priska Amstutz and Benno Zogg on the weekend’s biggest talking points. Plus: ‘Zeit Magazine’ editorial director Christoph Amend and Monocle’s Andrew Tuck and Petri Burtsoff on the latest developments in their areas.
Culture: New York Times Magazine – Oct 16, 2022
The Culture Issue – 10.16.22
The Elusive Power of Cate Blanchett
The actress has stayed one step ahead of audiences by constantly being in motion. In her new movie “Tár,” she’s as inscrutable as ever.
American Culture Is Trash Culture
It’s not just that trash is what Americans want from movies; it’s who we are. So where did it go?
Can Black Literature Escape the Representation Trap?
A crop of recent novels strains against the expectations of a publishing industry attempting to embrace diversity.
Preview: The Economist Magazine – Oct 15, 2022
The Communist Party’s obsession with control will make China weaker but more dangerous
Its five-yearly congress will further tighten one man’s grip
It will be an orderly affair. From October 16th the grandees of China’s Communist Party will gather in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for their five-yearly congress. Not a teacup will be out of place; not a whisper of protest will be audible. The Communist Party has always been obsessed with control. But under President Xi Jinping that obsession has deepened. After three decades of opening and reform under previous leaders, China has in many ways become more closed and autocratic under Mr Xi. Surveillance has broadened. Censorship has stiffened. Party cells flex their muscles in private firms. Preserving the party’s grip on power trumps any other consideration.
Boomers Daily 