 "This Week in Explainers: How Donald Trump announced the biggest US defence deal in history")
It’s been another massive week in the world.
US President Donald Trump, who was on a trip to West Asia, announced a massive US-Saudi defence deal.
In Canada, Anita Anand was named the country’s first Hindu foreign minister.
As the conflict between India and Pakistan intensified, there were rumours that ex-prime minister Imran Khan had died in custody.
More details about the Pope Leo XIV – who was chosen to succeed Pope Francis in the papal conclave that ended on May 8 – came to light.
Also, Covid made a troubling comeback in parts of Asia.
We analyse the most pertinent headlines in our weekly roundup of stories from around the world.
1. Trump, who was in West Asia, is a huge fan of headlines – especially those that mention and flatter him.
During the 1980s, he was famous for dialing up publications and posing as his own press agent.
Now, as President of the United States, Trump can simply make headlines through his decisions and pronouncements. Trump did exactly during his trip – announcing a $142 billion defence deal between the US and Saudi Arabia.
The deal, which the White House has touted as the defence largest in history, deepens the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia.
It also brings Trump one step closer to the House of Saud, with whom his family has had business dealings. Indeed, Trump on his trip met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the de facto ruler of the Kingdom – as well as other senior Saudi officials.
But what’s in the deal? What does this agreement mean for both countries? How will it impact West Asia as a whole?
This piece gives you all the details.2. But that wasn’t the only major decision that Trump made recently.
Trump last week called a ceasefire with the Houthis – the Iran-backed militia on which the US had been conducting airstrikes since March in ‘Operation Rough Rider’.
Trump had vowed to use “overwhelming and lethal force” against the group, which had vowed to Israeli vessels in the Red Sea over its actions in Gaza.
The Houthis had disrupted commerce by launching hundreds of drone and missile attacks on ships.
Trump in his announcement from the White House had claimed the Houthis simply “didn’t want to fight anymore.”
“We’re going to stop the bombing of the Houthis, effective immediately,” Trump said. “They don’t want to fight anymore. They just don’t want to fight. And we will honour that, and we will stop the bombings.”
The announcement came as a shock to many – particularly the US’ staunch ally Israel, which currently is in conflict with the militia group.
However, news this week emerged that there was more than met the eye to Trump’s announcement.
It turns out that Trump was forced to call a ceasefire by mounting US losses during the operation.
Not only had the Houthis had taken down seven drones costing $30 million, the US had also lost two fighter jets valued at around $120 million.
The US had spent thousands of bombs and missiles during the operation – spending approximately $1 billion in a month – and had little to show for it.
This article takes you inside America’s operation against the group, how the US suffered humiliating losses and Trump’s ultimate decision to call the entire conflict off.
3. Anita Anand this week made history in Canada.
After Prime Minister Mark Carney won the federal election in April, he made a Cabinet shakeup this week by appointing Anand the country’s new foreign minister.
Anand, who is the first Hindu woman to serve as Canada’s foreign minister, took her oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita.
Anand, 58, was the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry prior to the election.
Anand also previously served as Canada’s defence minister.
She has replaced Melanie Joly, who is now the Minister of Industry.
“I am honoured to be named Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and our team to build a safer, fairer world and deliver for Canadians,” Anand, an MP from Oakville East, posted on X soon after taking oath.
But who is Anand? What do we know about her rise? And what about her ties with India?
Click here to learn more about Anand.4. As the conflict between India and Pakistan heated up this past week, rumours about the fate of ex-prime minister Imran Khan began doing the rounds.
Khan, who was arrested in May 2023 while making an appearance at the Islamabad High Court, has been in custody for the past two years.
The Pakistani state has unleashed a flood of legal cases against Khan – who has pointed the finger at Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir for his arrest and detention.
Munir, the powerful ex-ISI chief, and Khan had a falling out during his tenure as prime minister.
Khan’s supporters and party men have repeatedly alleged that he is being mistreated in prison. Khan has even alleged plots to kill him.
So, when news emerged that Khan had died in custody, many were quick to jump.
Making things worse was a video that spread on social media purportedly showing an injured Khan being carried away by security guards.
But what happened? Why the confusion? Where is Khan currently?
This piece breaks everything down in detail.5. Habemus papam. The world this month and the billion plus Catholics got a new pope.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, born and raised in Chicago, was chosen as the successor to Pope Francis – who was known for his simple, frugal living.
Prevost, who is the first US-born pontiff, is now Pope Leo XIV.
But have you ever wondered what God’s chosen representative on Earth gets paid? That he has the Popemobile, of course, is well known. But where will he live? What about his clothes? And what at the other perks does the Pontiff receive?
This article gives you a behind the scenes look at the perks and privileges Pope Leo XIV will be afforded as head of the Catholic Church.
6. For years, a small town in Brazil was gripped by a mystery illness.
Children in Serrinha dos Pintos, began losing their ability to walk as they grew up.
Once they reached their teens, their legs grew weak. Others could barely move their arms.
The entire village was stupefied – until geneticist Silvana Santos solved the puzzle.
It took Santos 20 years of painstaking research, collecting DNA samples, and interviews with dozens of families, to find the answer – Spoan syndrome.
But what is it? How did Santos unlock this mystery illness?
Take a look here.7. Is it back? Could it be?
That’s what many are wondering after Covid cases spiked in parts of Southeast Asia.
Hong Kong and Singapore are reporting a sudden spike, while China and Thailand are also seeing an increase in infections.
Singapore, alarmingly, has witnessed a nearly 30 per cent increase in Covid cases.
But what’s happening exactly? How bad is it? How are authorities reacting? Is there any reason to worry?
We break it down for you here.If you like how we take a deep dive into the news, you can come back to this page for more.
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