China Has an Extraordinary Covid-19 Dilemma

Is it thinkable now? This week, my colleague Paul Krugman wrote that the protests were a sign that “China lost the Covid war,” emphasizing that, despite appearances early in the pandemic, democracies now seem to have definitely outperformed autocracies, and calling on Chinese leaders to recognize the error of their ways and change course. In…

The Insider’s Guide to Holiday Style

When it comes to holiday gifting, take a cue from the experts. As an iconic luxury brand known for some of the most legendary watches ever made, Cartier has something for every fashion killer on your list, from sleek timepieces and festive outfit ideas to rare, unexpected objects. Shop them all below. EVENINGWEAR Rhapsody in…

Art Basel 2022: Masks Off, Wallets Out

MIAMI BEACH — When a curator asked the local artist Robert Chambers to come up with an installation for the 20th anniversary of the Art Basel Miami Beach fair — running this week through Saturday — he immediately described a project fully in character with his playful sense of provocation. “I wanted to fill a…

Holiday Punch Recipes

Set a large bowl filled with punch in the center of a party and step back. Watch the merrymakers gather, the conversation flow and the awkward moments be thwarted through the offering of another ladleful. This, after all, is the magic of a great punch, and, while punch’s exact origins remain unknown, revelers have enjoyed…

Plantains Are Everyday Superstars

A few weeks ago, my uninsulated home had a chill in it that I couldn’t chase away. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I started craving my grandmother’s matoke — the small, thick, green bananas she simmers with sautéed onion, tomato and spices until the sauce turns dark and glossy, and the starchy bananas…

Why Throw a Cocktail?

When James Bond famously ordered his martini “shaken and not stirred,” he was only telling two-thirds of the story. Because those aren’t the only bartending techniques available. There is also throwing, in which a drink repeatedly cascades through the air from one vessel to another. Advocates for throwing contend that it aerates the drink, resulting…