Big meet, little meat: the Trump-Xi summit

The recent summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping resulted in a modest extension of the existing trade truce, yet failed to produce significant breakthroughs on critical issues like AI regulation or security. While both leaders projected a veneer of cooperation, the underlying relationship remains a strategic stalemate, with China leveraging its growing industrial self-reliance to challenge American influence. Concurrently, the rise of British right-wing influencer Tommy Robinson highlights a shifting political landscape in the United States, where his anti-Islam rhetoric gains traction among American elites and populist movements. Finally, the life of legendary costume designer Bob Mackie serves as a testament to the power of high-art showmanship, as his iconic, glitter-heavy creations defined the visual identity of global stars like Cher and Marilyn Monroe, bridging the gap between Hollywood spectacle and haute couture.