Is it “gaslighted” or “gaslit”? | The Economist

2026-05-05

Gulf Arab states have spent decades marketing themselves as glitzy and safe. But the Iran war has left some scarring. Our Middle East correspondent, Gregg Carlstrom, explores whether the Gulf can recover its reputation.

2026-03-20

“I’m not giggling, I’m mad at your politicians”. Speaking to The Economist’s editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes, Tucker Carlson says European leaders are “liars” trying to “divert attention” from the “disasters” in their own countries.

2026-03-18

Rachel Reeves, Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer, has begun a new diplomatic push to align more closely with the European Union. Since the Labour government took office, attempts to improve the relationship have been tentative. Ms Reeves is now making clear that alignment with EU single market should be the “norm”.

Our business affairs editor Rachana Shanbhogue sat down with the chancellor to discuss why, a decade after Britons elected to leave, she is seeking a broader and deeper relationship with the bloc.

#Britain #economy #eu #europeanunion #economics #geopolitics

00:00 Why closer EU ties matter
02:05 Is the EU open to negotiation?
05:25 Why the government won’t hold another EU referendum
06:30 Where Britain’s national interest lies

Watch the full show:

2026-03-13

Is now the best time to buy “trash” stocks? The Economist’s capital markets correspondent, Joshua Roberts, joins Rosie Blau, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, to explain why low-quality stocks over-perform during moments of market turmoil, how rising oil prices linked to the Iran war are shaking global markets, and why uncertainty can sometimes make riskier investments surprisingly appealing.

00:36 – What do investors actually mean by rubbish stocks?
01:41 – How do rising oil prices affect stocks, bonds and the wider economy?
02:26 – Why are low-quality or rubbish stocks outperforming right now?
04:09 – Why are high-quality growth stocks more vulnerable during uncertainty?
05:21 – Can rubbish stocks really deliver better returns than good ones?

Listen to the full episode:

2026-01-30

If you think rich, individualistic societies are the loneliest—think again. Surveys repeatedly show the loneliest countries in the world are in Africa, with Madagascar often ranking near the top. Why?

2026-01-26

What could break China’s grip on rare earths? The Economist’s business affairs editor, Rachana Shanbhogue, explores the alternatives.

2025-12-06

Why are more Americans being executed? Rebecca Jackson, our Southern correspondent, and Rosie Blau, co-host of The Intelligence podcast, discuss how politicians and the Supreme Court have helped usher in a new era of capital punishment.

Chapters:
00:00 – Why is America increasing the number of executions?
00:57 – Do Americans actually support executions anymore?
01:40 – If public support is low, what’s driving the surge in executions?
03:06 – With declining support, will execution rates continue to rise?
03:54 – Are states pushing the Supreme Court to expand executions even further?

Links:
Listen to the full episode: https://econ.st/4iDfvuR
More Americans are being executed: https://econ.st/49Zm3Sc
Sign up to our weekly newsletter: https://econ.st/3J0xzBr

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2025-12-04

Sir Keir Starmer called Reform UK, Nigel Farage’s populist right-wing party, “pro-Putin or Putin-neutral”. In an interview with The Economist’s editor-in-chief, @ZannyMintonBeddoes, Britain’s embattled prime minister said a Reform government would harm Britain and potentially break the West.

The full interview will be available to watch at 4pm UK time. Click the link to watch: https://www.economist.com/insider