Defrost setting: the Xi-Biden summit

<p>The meeting between superpower presidents was cordial and careful, but it <a href="https://www.economist.com/china/talks-between-xi-jinping-and-joe-biden-do-not-herald-a-thaw/21806328?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">will take far more</a> than a video call to smooth such frosty relations. Europe once had an enviable international rail network—one <a href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2021/11/13/how-trains-could-replace-planes-in-europe?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">it must revive</a> if the bloc is to meet its climate targets. And the costly and sometimes <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/11/06/why-young-south-koreans-are-posing-in-their-underwear?utm_campaign=the-intelligence&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_source=third-party-host&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dangerous lengths</a> South Koreans are going to for flattering photographs.</p><p>For full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>