A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, the disunited states of America, why Britain can’t build (9:15) and Pakistan’s worst floods in recent memory (17:05).
The worst predictions for costs have not come to pass, partly because Russia is selling plenty of wheat. But plenty of food-price woe may still await.
We examine the curious re-appearance of the polio virus in the West. And the trials of “Pink Sauce” reveal the perils of being a cottage-food producer—or consumer—in the social-media age.
The cover story this month focuses on Tokyo. Japan’s capital is a megalopolis made up of distinct neighbourhoods, each with their own character— from the outré trends of Harajuku and the neon maze of Shinjuku, to the technology and subcultures of Akihabara and the world’s best sushi in Ginza.
Elsewhere in the issue:
Belize: Discover Maya heritage, conservation triumphs and a kaleidoscopic barrier reef. Kent: A hike from Deal to Folkestone reveals storied landscapes and arty seaside towns. Namibia: A portrait of life in Kunene, a remote region of desert-adapted wildlife and star-studded night skies. New York: Sampling the soul food, jazz clubs and markets of Harlem, Manhattan’s most famous Black neighbourhood. Prague: Beyond the walls of the Old Town, the Czech capital is being reimagined by a new generation of locals. Tenerife: Discover the wilder side of the Canary Island on its northern coast. Trondheim: A new-found love of local produce is bringing fine cuisine to the former Viking capital. Toronto: The Canadian city is upping its hotel game with a host of new openings and high-profile restorations.
Emma Nelson, Tyler Brûlé, Charles Hecker and Stefanie Bolzen unpack the weekend’s biggest stories. Plus: Monocle’s Fiona Wilson has an update from Tokyo.
South Sea pearls are the largest cultured-pearl variety, sometimes reaching over 20 millimeters in diameter. The Pinctada maxima oyster can take up to five years to produce a single South Sea pearl, whereas more common freshwater oysters can take as little as three months and create dozens of pearls. This long cultivation process makes South Sea pearls rarer — and more expensive. A single South Sea pearl can cost $1,500, and a necklace can reach over $200,000. So, how are these pearls grown? And what makes them so expensive?
The September 2022 issue features travel inspiration, starting with the island of Elba, just a short ferry ride from the coast of mainland Tuscany. Picture-perfect all year round, it’s certainly a destination we love. We also head to Molise for the Campobasso Mysteries Festival, take a detour to nearby Abruzzo, step off the beaten track to hilltop Casoli, and explore the exquisite city of Lecce.