Speaking of the Economist, I was well chuffed when I noticed that it used “staunch” for “stanch” in an article on the ongoing NHL (that’s National Hockey League) lockout in the US/Canada:
“To staunch their losses, the owners are insisting that the players accept a salary cap” (“On Ice”, p. 37 - or follow this link if you have a subscription)
But apparently, the stanch/staunch distinction isn’t preserved by British journalists. Phooey!