Too good to be true: The contradiction at the heart of the world economy

The world this week

Leaders

Too good to be true

The world economy is defying gravity. That cannot last

Threats abound, including higher-for-longer interest rates

Palestinians search for survivors following an Israeli airstrike in the Jabalia refugee camp north of Gaza City.

The Middle East

Why Israel must fight on

Israel’s bombardment of Gaza is taking a terrible toll. But unless Hamas’s power is broken, peace will remain out of reach

Trump pointing with his right arm in the air

Trade wars: episode II

Trump’s tariff plans would be disastrous for America and the world

You may think his worst ideas won’t get far. Sadly, on trade he has been singularly influential

Yellow turmeric on sale at a spice and dried foods market, Old Delhi, India

Lead poisoning

How to stop turmeric from killing people

Developing countries—especially India—should learn from Bangladesh

Human SEMs recapitulate YS-like lumenogenesis and SEM scaffolding. Imageof a day 8 SEM expressing VIM underneath SOX17+ YS-like cells (yellow).

Coming of age

Why the rules on embryo experiments should be loosened

Lifting the 14-day rule would help researchers understand how organs develop

The granite entrance gate of Dartmoor prison in Princetown, Dartmoor

Trials and errors

Britain’s prisons show up wider flaws in government

The entire criminal-justice system is under strain

Letters

On donating organs, mental health, the Sagrada Família basilica, film lengths, James Bond, “Star Trek”

Letters to the editor

By Invitation

Briefing

A person holding onto the string of a balloon in the shape of a percentage sign, soaring high above.

Higher for longer

Markets think interest rates could stay high for a decade or more

The economic consequences could be grim

International

Economic & financial indicators

Obituary

The Economist explains

The Economist reads