The Economist
Also: Is Scott Bessent the Fed chair Donald Trump always wanted?
Iran-US conflict continues amid threat of new US sanctions, Tehran, Iran Islamic Republic Of - 24 Aug 2026
Losing pressure
Iran will be able to shrug off America’s financial threats
In the face of fresh sanctions, the regime is defiant
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters outside of the White House in Washington, DC, USA.
Scott Bessent v the world
Is Scott Bessent the Fed chair Donald Trump always wanted?
Perhaps. But his effort to talk bond yields lower is likely to fail
collage of container ships and nautical diagrams
China in the Arctic
The promise and the pitfalls of China’s new Arctic shipping route
The Northern Sea Route is a pricey and risky alternative to the Suez Canal
A woman looks at her smartphone while walking past a SHEIN sign outside the company's office on July 14, 2026, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
Falling fast fashion
How Shein came crashing down
The Chinese e-retailer is listing for a quarter of the $100bn at which it was once valued
A diptych of two images of Space Talk, a new Listening Bar in Farringdon, London.
For the record
Japan’s music cafés are striking a chord abroad
New venues are inspired by a century-old tradition