🎙️'The Ensemble': Tiny Country World Cup Upset, Crypto Shockwaves, Gen Z Uprisings, Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood Surprise in Saudi Arabia
Plus unsteady Middle East ceasefire, American free press tensions, and British crown scandals - this week is giving tea.
Hey, Ensemble readers! Time for a mid-week temperature check to hold you over until the weekend. We’re breaking down Trump’s diplomatic comeback in Gaza and plans for the Russia-Ukraine war - previewing another performance as Peacemaker-in-Chief on Friday, fresh tensions with the US press, and the $19B crypto nosedive sparked by a surprise tariff. Plus: Nobel Peace Prize fallout in Venezuela, King Charles vs Prince Andrew, a Gen Z-led government shake-up in Madagascar, Cape Verde heading to the World Cup and Vivienne Westwood’s granddaughter protests the brand’s foray into a Kingdom with a questionable human rights record. Let’s dive in!
Trump’s peace deal already on shaky ground
US President Donald Trump and Gaza ceasefire mediators signed a deal at a summit in Egypt yMonday, days after losing the hard-sought Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado.
Securing the release of hostages and stopping the fighting in Gaza was the first phase of Trump’s Gaza. Watch our latest News with Suz breakdown of Trump’s Middle East peace speeches to learn more. Let us know what you think of the fireside chat tea time.
Trump didn’t give clear next steps of his plan for peace in the Middle East, as the second complex phase, dismantling Hamas and determining Gaza’s governance, is yet to be negotiated. The current peace is fragile, and on Monday, Israel’s military troops opened fire on a few suspects who crossed a boundary that was set up under the ceasefire agreement. Gaza’s health authority claimed Tuesday that six Palestinians were killed in two separate incidents.
Now, “best deal maker” Trump returns his attention to the Russia-Ukraine war. He previously made a few attempts to foster an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but failed. The most notable time was the Russia-US Alaska Summit on August 15, 2025, where Trump promised a peace agreement but didn’t deliver it.
After successful negotiations in the Middle East, Trump will host Zelensky at the White House on Friday. Earlier, Trump also said he might send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, a suggestion that was met with glide bombs and drone strikes on Ukraine and a threat from Russia’s former President Dmitry Medvedev, who said that decision would “end badly” for everyone.
While the realistic outcomes of Trump’s meeting with Zelensky are unknown, we recently learned that First lady Melania Trump and Putin are coordinating efforts to help reunite children separated by the war in Ukraine. Could that be a sign that both parties are more open to negotiations now? Stay tuned for the future newsletter to find out the results.
Sources: The Wall Street Journal and Reuters
Crypto collapses after surprise china tariffs
This week, the markets reminded us that politics isn’t just played out in long negotiations; sometimes it’s priced in seconds. President Trump’s surprise 100% tariffs on China sent shockwaves, triggering a $19 billion crypto selloff. Bitcoin plunged 12%, and some smaller tokens lost up to 80% of their value.
The drama didn’t stop there: two mysterious traders made $160 million shorting the market just minutes before the announcement. Coincidence or a possible insider insight? Either way, it’s a striking example of how geopolitics, policy, and tech are more intertwined than ever.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Pentagon releases new rules for the US press
Another attack on the press by the Trump Administration targeted journalists covering all things Pentagon. The new rules require journalists to sign a pledge not to obtain or use unauthorized material, regardless of whether it’s classified or not. If rejected, they will lose their press pass and access to the Pentagon. In response, nearly every major news outlet has rejected the demand and refused to sign.
For decades, Pentagon reporters have walked the fine line between access and independence. But this new rule pushes that balance toward control. When journalists can’t ask questions and challenge the government, who gets to tell the story?
Source: The Washington Post
From peace prize to political pushback: Venezuela shuts its doors on Oslo
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight to restore democracy after years under Nicolás Maduro’s rule. But Caracas wasn’t celebrating. Just days after the announcement, Venezuela closed its embassy in Oslo, where the prize is awarded, a move that Norway called “regrettable.” Maduro lashed out, labeling Machado a “demonic witch.” The closure marks another rift between Venezuela and its Western allies, as the country pivots toward “strategic partners” like Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.
Source: The New York Times
King vs Duke: a family rivalry over Epstein
The Epstein files are prominent on everyone’s mind. Particularly, Britain’s King Charles, as he continues to weigh up further sanctions against his own brother, the Duke of York, Prince Andrew.
After a 2011 letter surfaced showing the Duke telling Jeffrey Epstein they were “in this together,” King Charles faces fresh pressure to act. Andrew has already lost his titles, duties, and royal standing, but keeps his estate access and Dukedom. The King is running out of options to act on. With public support mounting for tougher action, the question lingers: should Prince Andrew be stripped of his remaining royal privileges?
Source: The Telegraph
Unrest in Madagascar: another Gen Z takeover?
Nepal’s recent government overthrow, known as the “Discord Revolution,” might’ve set an example for the youth around the world. Now, Gen Z in Madagascar forced the president, Andry Rajoelina, to flee the country in fear for his life. Although he has not yet announced his resignation, Gen Z-led anti-government protests have proven to be effective. We might be seeing a new political trend where the youth unite in the digital world to make a political statement in their countries.
Source: The Washington Post
New faces at the World Cup
World Cup fans should expect to see new countries at the 2026 tournament. Cape Verde, a nation with a population smaller than the state of Vermont, qualified for the World Cup on Monday, beating Eswatini 3-0. It is the second smallest country to qualify after Iceland.
Source: AP News
Saudi soft power takes to the catwalk
And finally this week, pushback continues over artists and designers visiting Saudi Arabia. On the heels of a row about the Riyadh Comedy Festival, we’re now seeing fashion designers calling out others who are exhibiting in the Saudi capital. We’ve not heard the last of this issue.
Source: The Guardian
Thanks for tuning in this week, Ensemble readers! From shifts in foreign policy to bold fashion statements, we’ll continue connecting global events with the world of style. See you next week as we bring more insights into how these stories shape the world—and what it means for you.