Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio. I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

In one of the remotest parts of Uzbekistan is Jaslik, a prison notorious for its treatment of inmates.

In 2002, a pair of them were boiled alive. We look at why the government at last wants to shut the

gulag down. And until 1992, no one was certain that there were any planets orbiting distant stars.

Since then, astronomers have cataloged thousands of them.

Now that Earthlings know they're out there, a huge effort is underway to find out what they're like.

But first... Yesterday, the G7 meeting of world leaders wrapped up after a long weekend of delights on the French coast,

including dinner in a lighthouse and meetings in a venerable hotel

with enchanting views of cliffs. It was enough to soothe the most troubled spirit,

which is fortunate because ahead of the conference there was plenty of global acrimony.

From trade wars to escalating tensions with Iran, to fires raging in the Amazon, there were many problems

and little consensus. Last year, the meeting ended in disaster. President Donald Trump left

early, refused to endorse the summit's final statement, and tweeted insults at the host,

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This year, Mr. Trump's tone, at least, was different.

This is a truly successful G7. There was tremendous unity. There was great unity. Sometimes I'd read

a little bit of false reporting. I will tell you, there was, in fact, we were, we would have

stayed for another hour. Nobody wanted to leave. We were accomplishing a lot.

I'd say that measured by expectations, this meeting went reasonably well.

Edward Carr is the economist's deputy editor.

It produced some outcomes, there were no blow-ups. So, you know, compared with the last G7 in Canada, which really wasn't

very good, I think this came off pretty well. So what came out of it? Well, a very wishy-washy

...