August 24th 2026

The Economist Today Our best journalism, handpicked each day

Lane Greene Senior digital editor

Since American bombs killed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s old supreme leader, his son and successor Mojtaba has hardly been seen. Instead, hard men who prefer army green to Islamic dress seem to be consolidating power. They appear to be squeezing out pragmatists keen to seal a deal with America. And many in Britain want the state to stop using the services of Palantir. The American data-management firm has spooked Britons with its politics as well as its business practices. But our leader argues shunning it for political reasons would be foolish. Britain should cultivate local competitors, but not by shutting out a vendor bringing benefits in the meantime.

Editor’s picks A selection of must-read articles

Rise of the generals A military junta is consolidating power in Iran That is bad news for Iranians and a possible peace deal with America

→ War in the Gulf has weakened two of America’s Arab allies

The all-seeing eye Britain would be bonkers to ditch Palantir Whatever the company’s flaws, its critics have taken a worryingly illiberal turn

Tsunami warning While Ukraine is under fire, corruption and political chaos abound Is a reckoning close at hand?

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

For the record Japan’s music cafés are striking a chord abroad New venues are inspired by a century-old tradition

More of our coverage ▸ The costs of defying Donald Trump are mounting for Canada. A trade deal with America is proving elusive. Mark Carney has chosen grinding economic pain for Canadians over fast, risky relief or cathartic retaliation. ▸ State capture is holding back South Africa. Most of the country’s municipalities are a mess. The failures of local government hold back wider economic recovery and makes life worse, especially for the poor. ▸ Rock-solid evidence for the origins of birds. How do you know what a dinosaur ate? Teeth offer clues, but some species lost theirs and evolved beaks. The stones in their stomachs may tell another part of the story.

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